As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the landscape of player transactions is marked by growing caution among teams. With the expansion of wild card spots, franchises are increasingly reluctant to part with their top prospects, resulting in a stagnation of significant trades. In the past year, only a handful of prospects acquired via trades have made a notable impact in the majors. In many cases, teams that sold at last year's deadline saw little return on their investments, leading to skepticism about the value of trading for 'something' versus holding onto prospects. This year's major trades highlight successful teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, who improved their postseason chances dramatically, in stark contrast to teams like the White Sox and Cardinals, who failed to capitalize on their trades. The upcoming deadline will test how teams balance current performance against future potential.