Joe Girardi says Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is being shaped by the expanded playoff field and uncertainty over the next collective bargaining agreement. The extra wild-card place keeps more clubs in contention, reducing the number willing to sell players and making it harder for contenders to improve their squads.

This year’s deadline is scheduled for 3 August at 6pm Eastern Time. MLB added a third wild-card berth in 2022, while the current CBA is due to expire after the 2026 season; Girardi said both factors could make teams more cautious and negotiations more complicated.