5 storylines to follow ahead of the Deadline

With less than 24 hours until baseball’s Trade Deadline, here are five storylines to watch on what should be one of the most frenetic days of the entire year.

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1) The Mets’ unpredictability could shape the market

You were expecting someone else?

The Mets aren’t a traditional buyer, and yet they acquired Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays on Sunday. They could further complicate matters by trading Noah Syndergaard to the Padres -- another team that’s not legitimately challenging for a postseason bid this year.

The Padres’ farm system is deep enough to acquire Syndergaard without giving up their No. 1 prospect, left-hander MacKenzie Gore. And if San Diego general manager A.J. Preller is successful in landing Syndergaard, serious contenders with rotation needs -- such as the Twins, Astros and Yankees -- will likely need to pay higher prices for other starters.

By the way, that dynamic could help the Mets, as well, when it comes to trading their own Zack Wheeler, a pending free agent. MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported the Astros are working now to acquire Wheeler from the Mets.

A trade of Syndergaard to San Diego also would be welcome news for the D-backs, Rangers, and Tigers, because such a move likely would increase demand for Robbie Ray, Mike Minor and Matthew Boyd, respectively. The Astros are showing sustained interest in Boyd and could intensify their efforts to acquire the left-hander if they fail to land Wheeler.

2) Speaking of the D-backs, they’re running point

D-backs GM Mike Hazen will need a fully charged mobile phone today: He has a large enough quantity of appealing players that he’s guaranteed to hear from most (if not all) of the contending GMs.

Peter Gammons reported that the Yankees and D-backs have discussed multiple iterations of a trade, including the concept of left-handed starter Ray and right-handed reliever Archie Bradley going to New York. That would address the Yankees’ glaring need for rotation help while also adding to the bullpen, already one of the team’s greatest strengths.

Arizona right-hander Zack Greinke ranks seventh in the National League with a 2.87 ERA, but his marketplace is complicated by his large contract. The Phillies and Astros are two large-market teams who could conceivably take on Greinke’s salary.

3) It’s time for some bats to move

This year’s trade market includes many more impact arms than impact bats, but the latter category is likely to see some activity before 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Baltimore’s best chance to add impact talent to its farm system this week could be a trade of Trey Mancini, who sources say is drawing interest from the Astros, Rangers and Rays. Of that group, Texas probably has the greatest need for Mancini, but the Rangers could wait until the offseason to address their need at first base.

Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos is perhaps the most likely impact bat to be moved. The Cubs have shown consistent interest in him, and the Indians’ 17-5 record in July has given the Cleveland front office reason to consider acquiring Castellanos, a pending free agent, from their division rivals in Detroit.

4) Closer stock watch: Greene up, Giles down

Detroit’s Shane Greene pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts on Monday night -- another strong data point in his All-Star season. A scout from the Dodgers was in attendance for the game, as the two teams continue to discuss possible trade combinations.

The Dodgers’ first choice to add a reliever is believed to be Pirates left-hander Felipe Vazquez, but Pittsburgh GM Neal Huntington has maintained a high price tag on his closer.

The Dodgers and Nationals have been among the most aggressive teams in the industry in pursuit of relief pitching in recent days, sources say.

Meanwhile, the recent elbow issues that have sidelined Toronto closer Ken Giles are making a trade involving him increasingly unlikely.

5) Decision time for bubble teams

The Giants’ front office has watched patiently during a July in which the club has posted the best record in the Majors at 18-5, putting their longstanding “sell” plan on hold. They’re now 54-53 and within three games of a Wild Card spot.

For all practical purposes, the team’s internal analysis is complete. One source said the Giants remain unlikely to trade Madison Bumgarner, who is a free agent after this season, but the team still could trade a reliever, such as Will Smith or Tony Watson.

Meanwhile, the Angels may have played themselves out of the “buying” category. After what appeared to be a breakthrough sweep of the Dodgers in a two-game series last week, the Angels have dropped four of five games against the lowly Orioles and Tigers. While the addition of controllable pitching remains possible for the Angels, that pursuit could wait until the offseason -- when Gerrit Cole, who attended high school 3 1/2 miles away from Angel Stadium, will be a free agent.