Consider the case of Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. He entered the season regarded as the summer's probable top trade candidate, to the extent that Marlins general manager Peter Bendix had to dismiss speculation in March.

Before the season began, it was widely expected that the Miami Marlins would be selling one key piece at the trade deadline. That piece was former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. A bad performance this season has now shifted the focus from Alcantara to a different pitcher in the Marlins rotation.