With the All-Star game now in the rear view mirror the next important milestone is the July 31st trade deadline. With the AL wining home-field advantage in the World Series, the advantage for the junior circuit is palpable. Looking at the AL teams most favored to reach the fall classic-the Tigers and Athletics have a primary offensive weapon as a DH in Victor Martinez and Coco Crisp, Losing them would compromise their lineups to give the NL the advantage in those games. 
 
One of those teams, the A's, has already made a splash in the trade market in acquiring two pitchers from the Cubs, Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. In doing so they not only kicked off trade season but also set the market for what it will take to obtain top big league talent. Oakland parted with top prospect Addison Russell, which is of note because Oakland needs to control its young players as long as it can before they leave via free agency or get flipped for other assets a la the Tampa philosophy. This won't apply to big market clubs that can afford to shop in free agency, but A's GM Billy Beane clearly feels his squad has the inside track to the World Series. He's sending the message that when the situation is right the organization will be aggressive to add talent, which players around the league will take note of. 

How will this effect this year’s transactions you ask? It depends on how contenders view their teams in two years. For example the Dodgers have been linked to David Price, but to acquire him GM Ned Colletti will have to include OF Joc Pederson and a high end starting pitching prospect , which they have but aren't willing to offer at this point. Why? Because in two years Dan Haren and Josh Beckett will no longer be in the rotation, and with Kershaw, Greinke and Ryu signed to healthy extensions the team will need to be responsible to ensure they can resign Yasiel Puig. It’s just picking where they feel is best to allocate resources. If management feels the team is one pitcher away from a title run, with an already crowded outfield, Pederson could certainly be dealt. 
 
That said here is this week's list of prospects that could be traded:

1. Joc Pederson LAD. The only way he gets dealt is for Price, and if the Rays continue to turn things around he won't be going anywhere and neither will Pederson. 
2. Lucas Giolito P Washington. The Nationals are in a dog fight for the East division with Atlanta, and with Ryan Zimmerman going on the DL this week with a muscle strain they may need to flip Giolito for a bat.
3. Carlos Martinez P STL. He's been in the big leagues for most of the season but as a converted shortstop he's just learning how to pitch at the big league level. That's impressive even if his season stats aren't eye popping. He is thought to be the Cardinals best trade piece for David Price. The Cardinals are in the same boat as the Dodgers in terms of Price's availability.
 
It’s worth noting that the teams with the most talent in the minors are teams not in playoff contention and haven't been for many years, which has allowed them to draft highly and have guys that industry execs drool over like the Astros, Cubs and Twins. Again, in two years these are the teams that will be knocking on the door of the post season.