MLB Rumors: Execs 'Can't Help but Laugh at the Breathless Reports' on Trade Deadline

Major League Baseball fans might not need to refresh their news feeds until late July if they are looking for breaking news regarding trades this year.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Sunday that a number of general managers and executives around the league "say they can't help but laugh at the breathless reports about the trade deadline."

One general manager said, "come on, nothing is going to happen until the final 48 to 72 hours. That's the way it always works. And right now, it's quiet. We're all focused on the draft."

This year's trade deadline is July 30 at 6 p.m. ET, while the draft is July 14.

One thing that may slow down the noise around this year's trade deadline is the sheer number of teams that are still in playoff contention.

Nightengale noted that only the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics are "guaranteed to be sellers at this point."

With three wild-card spots available in each league, the majority of the league is still within realistic striking distance of a postseason spot. In fact, the 32-37 New York Mets have the third-worst record in the National League and are just two games out of the last wild-card spot.

That creates an environment where a number of teams will likely see themselves as buyers that are one or two pieces away from making a serious run to the playoffs.

The problem with so many teams seeing themselves as buyers is there won't be enough sellers to go around ahead of the deadline unless more teams start to slide down the standings.

But that also underscores the comments from the executives around the league who are preaching patience when it comes to the trade deadline. The playoff picture will surely be a bit more straightforward in a month-and-a-half when the deadline approaches, and that will likely lead to more sellers.

And that is when the trades will likely happen.