9 to watch as Deadline dominoes start to fall

Mark Melancon may be the guy who opens the floodgates. That is, if the floodgates really are going to open as we approach Monday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Sometimes, they never do. This time, though, there’s likely to be a flurry of deals beginning, well, any moment. Options abound.

• Trade Deadline: The latest news and rumors

First, Melancon’s role in all this.

When the Pirates dealt him to the Nationals, it meant two things. It meant that the Nationals have accomplished what they hoped to accomplish. In Melancon, they have a guy who’ll stabilize a bullpen that might not be the best in baseball.

His departure clears the way for Pirates general manager Neal Huntington to get involved in the chase for starting pitching. Huntington has cast a wide net, but it’s the Tampa Bay Rays who present the most options.

Here’s a handy checklist of what’s ahead:

1. Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Matt Moore: SPs, Rays The Pirates are motivated to make a deal and could shake things loose between the Rays and Rangers, Astros, Dodgers, etc. Tampa Bay executives have just about convinced other teams that they will not deal any of their pitchers unless they get their assigned value. They also believe there may be enough very anxious teams to do just that.

2. Chris Sale: LHP, White Sox

It’s not over until it’s over. Some teams have backed off because the White Sox are seeking a huge package of …

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