With just under a month remaining until the July 30 MLB trade deadline, baseball fans and teams are gearing up for one of the most uncertain deadlines in recent memory. As the standings currently stand, nine teams in the National League are separated by a mere 5.5 games, all vying for the final two wild-card spots. Meanwhile, only the Miami Marlins and the Colorado Rockies have definitively fallen out of the playoff race.

Over in the American League, only three teams seem to be out of contention. However, several projected playoff contenders, including the defending champion Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays, are struggling and in desperate need of a turnaround to salvage their seasons.

The outcome of the games over the next 28 days will undoubtedly influence trade decisions, as teams will evaluate their chances of making the playoffs before making any moves. The stakes are high, and each team's position in the standings will play a significant role in determining their level of aggressiveness in the trade market.

Taking into account the standings, let's identify one prime trade target for each team, or a player they should consider trading away, prior to the approaching deadline. The uncertainty surrounding potential trades is palpable, adding an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to an already captivating and competitive season.

As fans eagerly await the roster shake-ups that may transpire, teams will be strategizing their every move, hoping to bolster their chances of securing a playoff spot or to unload assets for future success. The next few weeks promise to be a thrilling and decisive period in shaping the playoff picture and ultimately determining the fate of numerous franchises.

Stay tuned to see which teams make bold moves, which players find new homes, and how the evolving dynamics of the league will impact the path to postseason glory. The countdown to the trade deadline has begun, and baseball enthusiasts around the world are undoubtedly bracing themselves for a flurry of activity in the coming weeks.