Plus, consider what has happened in the National League West around them these past few weeks. The Diamondbacks were sellers, the San Francisco Giants traded away closer Camilo Doval and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, and the Colorado Rockies were sellers before the last school year ended.

Preller is the main character most years at the deadline, and he demonstrated why again yesterday. Athletics closer Mason Miller, a stud with a 101 mph fastball, looked untouchable in trade talks — until Preller agreed to give up a prospect some considered likewise untouchable, 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries, as part of the return package.

The San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies were among the teams who made major moves in advance of Thursday's trade deadline with an eye on winning a World Series in a couple months.