Horsehide Chronicles

The latest installment of this feature includes two White Sox pitching prospects heading in opposite directions, the best Giants pitching prospect to emerge since Zack Wheeler was traded away and a trio of intriguing yet unpolished prospects that have had issues finding the strike zone this season—they've combined for 168 walks in 252 innings pitched this season. 

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Most of us had already suspected that this was going to be a rough season for the Cubs. In fact, it was widely considered a rebuilding year with an eye on 2014 and beyond. So, considering that they haven't been in the playoff race for the last few months, what makes September any different than June, July or August for the Cubs?

For just the second time in four years, there'll be no World Series championship to celebrate in San Francisco.

In fact, the Giants are on pace to finish with 90 losses for the first time since 2008 and in last place for the first time since 2007. Going into today, they were 15.5 games back of a wild-card spot. So why is there any reason to keep watching them play seemingly meaningless games in September? 

As of August 30, 16 major league teams either hold a playoff spot or are within 6.5 games of one and could be looking to improve their playoff chances by making a waiver-wire deal by tomorrow's deadline to add players who will be eligible for a playoff roster.

Eleven August trades have happened thus far:

"It gets late early out here."

Hall of Famer and noted wordsmith Yogi Berra wasn't talking about September baseball when he uttered the above, one of his many famous sayings, but he could have been.

Nine American League teams are still fighting it out for five playoff spots. Anything can happen. Nothing is close to being set in stone. Over in the National League, however, the Dodgers and Braves have all but wrapped up playoff spots while three National League central teams have a pretty good grasp on the others.

On Monday, Derek Jeter returned to the New York Yankees. Again.

If it seems like 2013 has been a tough year for the longtime Yankees shortstop, well, that's because it has.

Not only has Jeter missed practically all season while recovering from a fractured left ankle suffered during the 2012 playoffs, followed by a right quad strain and a right calf strain, he also turned 39 years old in June.

With September only a week away, the playoff picture is starting to come into frame.

There's still a long way to go—about 34 or 35 games for most teams—but that doesn't mean we can't start dreaming about picture-perfect World Series matchups.

Watch a ballgame or engage in a discussion about the sport, and there's a good chance you'll hear the phrase "back of the baseball card" uttered somewhere along the line.

The term is often used to explain that a streaking or slumping player will eventually perform somewhere in line with his career numbers, which can be found—you guessed it—on the back of his baseball card.

As of Aug. 23, 15 major league teams either hold a playoff spot or are within seven games of one and could be looking to improve their playoff chances by making a waiver-wire deal in the near future.

Seven August trades have happened thus far: