No, it's the date, after which the Cubs won't be making any meaningful trades. You don't trade perceived low end pieces after the deadline, you trade actual low end pieces for crap minor leaguers that don't do anything, just like he did last year. If you want the Cubs to make a significant trade, you better hope it's before July 31. The jist of the thread Gooney is this. Posters thoughout Blogland think Hendry is going to build a World Series Champion by trading Nevin, and Niefi among others, which is completely unrealistic. I believe what Hendry needs to do is to try and fill his most pressing need now. Even one trade, the rest of the season could achieve this. By doing so he can fill in the blanks through FA siging on the off season. He could trade for prospects and try to rebuild the farm system too. No he's not going to make a blockbuster trade. BUT, during the season is the best time to nab someones good prospect for your older vet because teams are trying to make the post season and load up on talent for the WS. So it can improve the team for next year in a way trading in the off-season can't. Think about guys we likely won't resign. Maddux, Nevin, ect. . If you can just get a couple decent prospects for them, you are actually getting something for nothing, because you won't have those players to trade in the off-season.