As we enter the final days of July, rumors are swirling for buyers, sellers and still-deciding front offices, while the Philadelphia Phillies study the market and the rosters of potential deal-making partners.

Guidelines for Deadlines:

Like anything in life, some things are good and others are not, but expectations without a margin for error will usually not come to fruition.

To understand the wheeling and dealing between now and July 31, view the standings for each club’s situation. Currently, many franchises are selling rather than acquiring: a buyer’s market. However, the Milwaukee Brewers – an exception for a first-place team – want to protect their farm products because they entered 2017 with plans to continue rebuilding by swapping their remaining veterans. But the Chicago Cubs, a divisional competitor, just added a left-handed starter for four prospects because their window of opportunity is wide open. Meanwhile, some clubs are still deciding, others want to reload for next summer, the ones behind them are selling, and the no-doubters are bringing up the rear.

With many organizations unwilling to part with top prospects for a borderline shot at the postseason, their execs aren’t deciding quickly. Ergo, the competition between the remaining franchises is already leading to early moves. Some contenders will overpay now to finalize an agreement for a major piece. But fifth starters, setup men, regulars and reserves enhance a 25-slot roster to strengthen playoff squads.

Regarding the Philadelphia Phillies, general manager Matt Klentak has five veterans to motivate other GMs: Jeremy Hellickson, Pat Neshek, Joaquin Benoit, Howie Kendrick and Daniel Nava. Basically, pitching is always valuable after the All-Star break: Adding a starter or an experienced late-inning arm has importance for postseason hopefuls. However, the Phils will probably pay a large portion of some contracts – in a sense – to purchase minor leaguers. And they’ll accept less within reason because the commitments for their five vets will end this season. Translation: best offer.

Figuring the replacements for traded players, Klentak has Nick Williams for left field, Ben Lively for the rotation and four possibilities for the bullpen from the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs to finish out the campaign. Good luck, Bob! Lehigh Valley also has outfielders who could join the parent club after a Nava deal. But whether Williams struggles or not, right fielder Dylan Cozens is the best possibility to fill the Phils’ need for a left-side bat with power to separate the long-ball threats at the corner infield positions.

Klentak has an entire department to flesh out the needs of every organization and scouts to evaluate the potential pieces in many farm systems. But even he will not have possession of every detail. In other words, competitors’ strategy. So, he may proceed quickly in some cases and hold out until the last week of July in others. Yes, the hardest part for any writer is to unearth the timing.