N.L.’s competitiveness affecting trade market

The Dodgers have crushed the competition so decisively this season that it’s hard to believe the rest of the National League West remains in playoff contention.

So does every team in the league save the Washington Nationals, and that means the wait could be frustrating for general managers waiting to fortify their rosters from the ranks of non-contenders.

But, thanks to the wild card, every team in the N.L. except the Nationals began play Saturday within six games of a playoff spot. The San Francisco Giants were seven games behind the Dodgers, but they were tied for the wild-card lead.

The last-place Diamondbacks were six games behind the Giants, or one good week from contention.

The Rockies just enjoyed that good week, winning nine consecutive games – eight on the road – to close to within 3 1/2 games of a playoff spot.

Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd could not even say whether the Rockies would be buyers or sellers.