MLB Trade Rumors Podcast

Mark Polishuk fills in as host and is joined by Steve Adams to do a free agent pitching preview and talk about who could be good, under-the-radar pickups. Also, what's in store for the Padres next year after a report stating that they're looking to cut payroll and potentially move on from AJ Preller and what the Angels might look to trade Mike Trout if they miss out on resigning Shohei Ohtani. Listener question topics include if Sonny Gray will remain with the Twins next year and whether Braves fans should be worried about their rotation after the injuries of Max Fried and Charlie Morton.

MLBTR's Mark Polishuk joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the weak free agent position player class, the Red Sox firing Chaim Bloom, the Mets hiring David Stearns and details and ramifications of the Rays plan to build a new stadium near the site of Tropicana Field. Listener question topics include what factors led to Stephen Strasburg not being able to retire with his full pay, if the prospect promotion incentive will affect promotions next year for Jackson Holliday or Jackson Chourio and if the Padres would trade Juan Soto this offseason.

MLBTR's Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the site's positional free agent previews for catcher and first base. They also analyze the Rockies extending Germán Márquez as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and the state of the Dodgers' rotation after the announcement that Walker Buehler won't return this season. Listener question topics include if Spencer Turnbull’s relationship with the Tigers is beyond repair, whether the A’s will continue to be cheap once they move to Las Vegas and why is the AL Central always bad.

MLBTR's Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to analyze how the unprecedented salary dumping on the waiver wire shook out, benefiting the Guardians and the Reds while still reportedly keeping the Angels in luxury tax territory. Also, what solutions could be implemented to avoid this happening in future years. They also discuss some exciting September call-ups, including the Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez and the Mets’ Ronny Mauricio, and a listener question prompts the guys to pick the what the most elite skill is of each playoff contending team.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss how the news of Shohei Ohtani's UCL tear will affect his upcoming free agency, who has moved up and down on the latest update of the Free Agent Power Rankings, and Stephen Strasburg deciding to retire after injuries derailed his very impressive career. Listener email questions have a Pete Alonso theme and include whether he'd be a trade fit for the Brewers, Cubs or Twins.

MLBTR's Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss what led to the surprising front office move in Chicago, firing their VP Ken Williams and GM Rick Hahn, what is leading to the recent trend of prospects getting promoted in mid-August (including the Angels promoting this summer's draftee Nolan Schanuel) and the unfortunate state of the Rays' rotation health after it was announced that Shane McClanahan will undergo Tommy John surgery. Listener question topics include how the Reds can fit all of their young infielders onto the roster and if Nick Senzel could be shopped, how aggressive the Mets will be this offseason and which luxury tax paying team could dip below the threshold next year.

MLBTR’s Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the pros and cons of a proposal to move future trade deadlines back from the end of July to mid-August, After selling hard at the deadline, will the Mets either trade or extend Pete Alonso before next season? They also analyze the sad state of the Yankees rotation and how it sets up for 2024. Listener question topics include what the Cardinals need to do to be competitive next year, if they match up well for a trade with the Mariners, what the Diamondbacks need to do in the offseason and the free agent stock of Rangers’ catcher Mitch Garver.

MLBTR's Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss how a sudden hot streak from the Mariners has propelled them back into the playoff mix despite trading away pieces at the deadline, and on the flip side, how the Angels' losing streak has left them with very low playoff odds despite their all-in approach. Also, the effect of Josh Jung and Jonah Heim's injuries on the Rangers, major health concerns for the Rays' Shane McClanahan and the Yankees' Carlos Rodon and Trevor Story's long-awaited return to the Red Sox. Listener question topics include whether the Cubs will try to sign Cody Bellinger to a long-term deal, which injury return could be most impactful to the Dodgers and if anyone will be on the hot seat in Anaheim if they fail to make the playoffs once again.

MLBTR's Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to recap the major dealings of this year's busy trade deadline. They discuss the Mets not only selling, but also their apparent plan to scale back in 2024, the arms race going on in the A.L. West, with the Rangers acquiring both Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery and the Astros getting Justin Verlander back to compete down the stretch with the reloaded Angels. They also tell whether they were surprised that the Padres and Cubs made acquisitions while teams with higher playoff odds like the Reds and Twins did very little.

The Hot Stove is heating up, and MLBTR writer Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the the Angels' decision to keep Shohei Ohtani for the rest of the season and push for the playoffs. The team also pulled off a deal to acquire pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox. The guys also talk about whether the Cubs' recent winning streak will change their status from sellers to buyers, if the Yankees should buy despite being in last place in the AL East and how seriously to take the report that the Reds are willing to trade Jonathan India as they look to improve their pitching. Listener email question topics include the Marlins deadline approach, who the Phillies might be targeting and who the Tigers are likely to trade.

Everyone wants to know if Shohei Ohtani will be traded. With the Angels' playoff chances fluctuating, MLBTR's Anthony Franco and Darragh McDonald discuss when the team could make a decision on whether to move him. The guys also talk about how the Cardinals committing themselves as sellers will impact the trade market and why Dylan Carlson is an appealing trade candidate and speculate on which direction some fringe teams like the Tigers and Red Sox will go at the deadline. Listener question topics include whether the Yankees should sel, if the Rangers could pull off a mega-deal with the Cubs for Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman, and what areas the Blue Jays should look to upgrade.

MLBTR's Anthony Franco joins host Darragh McDonald to break down the site's list of the top trade candidates for this year's trade deadline, from the sure bets to the exciting long shots. They also discuss how the Angels’ recent struggles and Mike Trout’s injury affect the odds of the team trading Shohei Ohtani and how the Rays are surprisingly only two games ahead in the AL East at the All-Star Break despite their early dominance. Listener email topics include who the Cardinals should trade, what teams would be interested in Giants' catcher Joey Bart and whether the Yankees will be buyers or sellers considering their precarious playoff chances.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to give a midseason update to the Free Agent Power Rankings. There is a surplus of top pitchers available and a noticeable lack of hitters. They discuss why guys like Julio Urias and Aaron Nola fell and why Lucas Giolito and NPB star Yoshinobu Yamamoto are climbing the ranks. Also, where do unpredictable players like Blake Snell and Jeimer Candelario belong on the list? Moving to the trade market, the guys analyze the Royals trading Aroldis Chapman to Texas a full month before the deadline, whether they believe the Padres’ chairman’s comments that they are still going for it, and the expectation that the Brewers will hold on to Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames.

MLBTR's Steve Adams joins Host Darragh McDonald to discuss the Angels making some early moves, acquiring Eduardo Escobar from the Mets and Mike Moustakas from the Rockies to replace their injured infielders, whether the Pirates poor recent stretch will change their focus from buying to selling and if the opposite is true for the Cubs. Also, John Mozeliak acknowledging that the Cardinals might sell and Aaron Judge’s injury status. Listener question topics include why the Red Sox might try to toe the line with minor trades at the deadline, if the Padres could swing another big deal and if the Braves could trade Vaughn Grissom.

MLBTR’s Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Reds and Pirates sitting on top of the NL Central thanks to strong performances from young players like the newly promoted Henry Davis, Gavin Williams being the latest in the Guardians’ seemingly endless line of top pitching prospects and if the team will try to leverage their pitching depth at the deadline, the White Sox saying that they plan to only sell their impending free agents and the Dodgers looking to solidify their rotation. Listener question topics include whether the Cubs would trade Christopher Morel, the chances of the Diamondbacks promoting Jordan Lawlar and what blockbuster trade for the Rangers could look like.

MLBTR's Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Marcus Stroman lobbying for an extension with the Cubs seemingly not interested, what Pete Alonso’s injury means for an already struggling Mets and Astros GM Dana Brown stating that they plan to target bats at the deadline despite their seeming pitching needs. Listener question topics include whether any impact hitters will be available at the deadline, if the Orioles will trade for a top-of-the-rotation starter and how much interest the Cardinals’ position player depth would bring.

MLBTR writer Steve Adams joins host Darragh McDonald to talk about Elly De La Cruz debuting for the Reds, how he will factor into the the infield picture and if it could lead to a trade of Jonathan India or Nick Senzel. They also Alek Manoah being optioned to the minor leagues less than a year after being a Cy Young finalist and Jacob DeGrom needing elbow surgery less than three months into his five-year contract with the Rangers. Listener question topics include what kind of contract can Kevin Keirmaier get if he can stay healthy, the chances of the Brewers trading Corbin Burnes and with Marcus Stroman holding an opt-out clause, if the Cubs should try to either trade or extend him. Also, don’t forget to check out our new series on the site counting down the best deadline rental returns in recent history.

Darragh McDonald takes over hosting duties and is joined by MLBTR's Anthony Franco to discuss how no team in the National League is truly out of the race, Michael Soroka and Tyler Glasnow returning from injuries and whether Aaron Hicks or any of the other recently cast-off veterans can provide any value to a new team. Listener question topics include the Giants' chances in the division race, if there's a scenario where the Padres would trade Juan Soto, if the Twins are safe in a weak AL Central and the state of the Angels' rotation.

Will Sammon of The Athletic joins Simon Hampton to talk about what has led to the Mets' improved play, Francisco Alvarez' role once the veteran catchers return from injury and what holes the team might try to fill at the trade deadline. Then, MLBTR's Darragh McDonald comes on to discuss what the Mariners need to do to break out in a crowded AL West, whether the Marlins' success is sustainable and the impressive youth movement in Arizona.

MLBTR writer Steve Adams joins Simon Hampton to discuss the Cardinals' sudden reversal on their recent decision to relieve Willson Contreras of his catching duties, and the emergence of Mitch Keller as a topline starting pitcher in Pittsburgh's rotation. Listener question topics include the timeline for the Reds to call up top prospect Elly De La Cruz, Eduardo Rodriguez as a potential trade target and why the Padres haven't been living up to their expectations.