While there’re still more than two months left before Major League Baseball decides its 2008 World Series participants, the next few days could go a long way in deciding the eight teams that will eventually vie for the October berths.

Counting today, owners and general managers have a week to fine-tune their contenders before the trade deadline July 31. Of course, trades can still be made after that date, but then players will have to clear waivers before they can be moved. That’s an iffy proposition.

It’s also a time when both winners and losers in the standings have t...

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