Buy or sell? That's the question

Rarely has it been more enticing for teams to throw caution — and prospects — to the wind than at the trade deadline.

Parity in baseball, fueled by exploding revenue streams, has made it possible for any market size to contend. The specter of the wild card provides even more of a tease.

Yet never has young talent been more coveted than it is today, with teams realizing that it is more prudent to dip into the farm than take a flier on overpriced veterans.

Those conflicting dynamics will be heavily at play in the next three weeks, leading up to the July 31 deadline for making deals without waivers.

The allure of a postseason charge will prove irresistible to some, as the Brewers have already shown with their "the future is now" acquisition of CC Sabathia.

But more teams are vowing to hang on to their young talent. We'll see about that. A chance to win the World Series is a powerful intoxicant, causing general managers to disregard their core values to go for the gusto.

Here's a look at each team, and how they stand as the trade deadline approaches.

Buyers (14 teams)

Mets: New York especially needs an outfielder, and is being linked to the Mariners' Raul Ibanez, as well as Pittsburgh's Jason Bay or Xavier Nady, and Kansas City's Jose Guillen. If they're thinking blockbuster, Matt Holliday could come into play.

Phillies: Philadelphia is desperate for starting pitching help and is scouting all the top pitchers available, including Erik Bedard and A.J. Burnett. Jarrod Washburn is also a possibility. The Phillies have been reluctant to give up their top pitching prospect, Carlos Carrasco, but may have to.

Cubs: They've already purchased their big-ticket item (Rich Harden), but anyone who knows Lou Piniella knows he's telling GM Jim Hendry that he could use one more bat.

Brewers: As with the Cubs, they may not be finished, despite adding $5 million to the payroll with Sabathia. GM Doug Melvin is looking for bullpen help and a left-handed bat.

Cardinals: Tony La Russa has challenged his GM, John Mozeliak, to bolster the roster. The Cardinals need left-handed relief help, a productive bat and perhaps a starting pitcher, though Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright are due back from injuries in August.

Diamondbacks: Call them low-key buyers, because the organizational philosophy of building around prospects likely precludes a major purchase. But the Diamondbacks need offensive help, especially from the left-hand side, and have their eye on Raul Ibanez. They may look to bring back first baseman Tony Clark from the Padres.

Dodgers: In the wake of Rafael Furcal's back injury, the Dodgers need a shortstop. Pitching is on their list, too. And they desire a power-hitting outfielder. The Dodgers have a lot of major-league-ready youth to offer.

Red Sox: They are buyers with a conscience. After getting burned last year in the Eric Gagne deal, GM Theo Epstein is being cautious. But the Red Sox could use relief help (Brian Fuentes?) and perhaps another bat to guard against further injury to David Ortiz. However, most of their bolstering will come from within the system.

Yankees: GM Brian Cashman has changed the team's philosophy to preclude mindless rent-a-player pickups. New York will be looking for a back-of-the-rotation starter (Washburn?), a right-handed hitter and a reliever.

Rays: For the first time in club history, they're looking to "go for it" — but prudently. Their needs include a starter, an experienced reliever and a right-handed-hitting outfielder. The Rays can dip into their deep farm system to offer prospects in return.

White Sox: Don't expect the Sox to be very active after opening the season over budget and not possessing many prospects to deal. Any moves are likely to be low key, like a bench player or bullpen help.

Tigers: GM Dave Dombrowski is realistic, so this stance could change if the Tigers stumble. But they have too much invested in this season to give up now. Detroit could use both starting and relief help.

Angels: As usual, this comes with an asterisk, because the Angels are famously reluctant to part with prospects — a philosophy that doesn't figure to change under new GM Tony Reagins. That said, they have a need for offensive help.

Twins: The Twins would love to augment shortstop and third base (and are said to have had internal discussions about Adrian Beltre). But they, too, have an aversion to trading prospects, so don't expect much.

Sellers (9 teams)

Nationals: GM Jim Bowden is quirky, and he says the Nats will be both buyers and sellers. But what they want to do most is sell off outdated pieces such as Paul Lo Duca, Felipe Lopez, Odalis Perez and Tim Redding. Good luck. Bowden is reportedly willing to give up some prospects for young, major-league-ready talent.

Reds: They have some very interesting pieces to offer. Outfielders Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. are both pricey, left-handed power hitters who will be free agents after the season. Griffey has complete trade-veto rights, and knows how to use them. Right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey, once the shining light of the organization, has been a bust and could be used to get the young catcher the Reds seek.

Astros: Owner Drayton McLane never likes to concede that his team is out of contention, but if he faced facts, he would realize the Astros are hopeless. Roy Oswalt could fetch a high price, if he agrees to wave his no-trade clause. Veteran bench players Mark Loretta and Darin Erstad are more likely to be dealt.

Pirates: Left-handed reliever Damaso Marte, a potential free agent after the season, is likely to be highly coveted. Outfielders Bay and Nady and shortstop Jack Wilson are all available, but since they are all under club control for next season, the Pirates will only deal them for a high return.

Padres: Team president Sandy Alderson is wise enough to realize that the Padres are horrible, even if they're within single digits of the lead in the woeful NL West. Pitchers Randy Wolf and Greg Maddux are most likely to go, although Maddux has trade-veto rights and has indicated he would go only to Southern California.

Orioles: They're not in "everything must go" mode, like in years past, but they have a few veterans to peddle. One is still Brian Roberts, but with a price tag so high that he's probably not going anywhere. Aubrey Huff, Kevin Millar, Jay Payton and Chad Bradford are on the availability list.

Indians: Much to their displeasure, the Indians are big-time sellers. They've already dealt Sabathia. Next in line are Casey Blake, Paul Byrd, David Dellucci and Jamey Carroll.

Royals: Out of contention, as usual, they will dangle Mark Grudzielanek, who is hitting over .300 and will help a contender somewhere. David DeJesus, who has a reasonable contract and productive numbers, could be had, but at a very high price. Left-handed reliever Ron Mahay is available.

Mariners: Seattle will listen to offers about anyone, but are unlikely to deal Felix Hernandez, Brandon Morrow or Ichiro. Everyone else is fair game. Look for Bedard, Ibanez, Washburn and Beltre to get the most attention from other teams.

Could go either way (7 teams)

Braves: They're one of those teams in no man's land — playing poorly, but still close enough to dream. If they can hang within six games or so of first, they'll probably hang on to Mark Teixeira and try to acquire a right-handed-hitting outfielder with power. But if they fade, Teixeira, a pending free agent, will be back on the market, one of the biggest bats available.

Marlins: They're still hanging close to the top, and desperately could use catching help. But the Marlins are not inclined to dump prospects for pricey veterans — especially not with numerous players eligible for arbitration this winter. They might actually dangle a young veteran or two, such as Mike Jacobs.

Rockies: Only the pitiful nature of the NL West could keep a team that's 15 games under believing it still has a postseason shot. If they can pull within six games, look for the Rockies to be buyers. If they fall back, they will sell with a vengeance, with the potential to offer some of the best pieces of any team in baseball: left-handed reliever Fuentes, and sluggers Holliday and Garrett Atkins. Contention or not, the Rockies would be willing to dump Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednik, Yorvit Torrealba or Matt Herges.

Giants: Even though they're incongruously within striking distance of first place, GM Brian Sabean has vowed not to get a rent-a-player. But he will be looking for a middle-of-the-order hitter, offering minor-league pitchers in exchange. Under no circumstances will they trade Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain or Jonathan Sanchez. Sabean, however, will be looking to move potential free agents Omar Vizquel, Rich Aurilia and Ray Durham.

Blue Jays: It's an interesting dynamic in Toronto, with GM J.P. Ricciardi perhaps fighting for his job and not wanting to dismantle. The key potential piece is pitcher A.J. Burnett, whose attractiveness is muddied by a contract clause allowing him to opt out of his contract after the season.

A's: With GM Billy Beane, anything is possible, and he has shown in the past that he could act as both buyer and seller in the same trading season. Even with Harden now dealt, everyone is fair game, including Huston Street, Joe Blanton and All-Star Justin Duchscherer. But Beane could decide the division is winnable and acquire a right-handed slugger. As always, a fascinating team to watch.

Rangers: They have some veterans to offer, such as Eddie Guardado, Frank Catalanotto, Hank Blalock and All-Star Milton Bradley. But the Rangers are hanging close enough to the Angels to avoid a total dismantling.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists