MLB Trade Rumors Podcast

MLBTR founder Tim Dierkes joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss Sonny Gray's new contract with the Cardinals and the risks of having a rotation filled with old veterans. Also, Kenta Maeda signing with the Tigers for less money than expected. Listener questions topics include, which free agent starters make sense for the Orioles, what the Reds will do with their huge amount of available payroll, why players haven't wanted to sign in San Francisco and what it would take for an acquiring team to extend Juan Soto.

Anthony Franco joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss Aaron Nola staying with the Phillies and how his big contract will affect the rest of the starting pitching market. They also analyze Reynaldo Lopez signing with the Braves and Lance Lynn with the Cardinals and point out the most intriguing names from this year's crop of non-tenders. Listener question topics include the slow pace of baseball free agency compared to other sports, whether the Dodgers will have another "disappointing" offseason and if the Pirates could sign Rhys Hoskins or another notable free agent.

Steve Adams joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss the site's list of top offseason trade candidates, what Bryce Harper moving to first base means for the rest of the Phillies' roster and what the Braves will do with the extra money after Alex Anthopoulos stated that the payroll will be going up. Listener question topics include what's in store for the NL Central teams this offseason, if the Angels will pursue other top free agents if they miss out on Ohtani and whether Jonathan India has significant trade value following two underwhelming seasons.

Host Darragh McDonald is joined by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams and Anthony Franco to discuss the site's annual Top 50 Free Agent list. In this extra-long episode, they talk about how they decided on a number that they think Ohtani will reach, why they are so high on Cody Bellinger's market, the ranking of the free agent pitchers, and much more.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the likelihood of the Padres trading Juan Soto with reports saying that the team is looking to cut payroll next season, Giants' president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and new manager Bob Melvin both sign new contracts to be with the team for three seasons and the Red Sox hire former pitcher Craig Breslow to be their front office boss. Listener question topics include whether Ohtani will sign early or late into the offseason, who could trade with the Twins for Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler and what are realistic free agent pitching targets for the Orioles.

Anthony Franco joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss Adolis Garcia's rise from going unclaimed on waivers to being named ALCS MVP, what's next for the Astros, including extension candidates and a potential managerial search, if Bob Melvin will change teams despite still being under contract, the likelihood of Tyler Glasnow getting traded. Listener questions include how the Mariners will address their offense and where Cody Bellinger could sign this offseason.

Anthony Franco joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss why Boston's top front office job might be hard to fill, the next step for Kim Ng after choosing not to continue as GM in Miami and what potential contracts could look like for Brandon Woodruff after he gets shoulder surgery just one year away from free agency. Listener email questions include analyzing what teams will do this offseason vs. what they should do, and whether the current playoff structure isn't advantageous for the top seeds.

Host Darragh McDonald is back and is joined by MLBTR's Anthony Franco to discuss Billy Eppler resigning from the Mets' front office amidst an investigation into injured list manipulation, bad news in Miami with Sandy Alcantara's Tommy John being announced and the team being eliminated from the playoffs, and Mike Hazen's extension as GM of the Diamondbacks. Listener question topics include whether the Braves could trade Vaughn Grissom for pitching help, especially after it was announced that Kyle Wright will miss all of 2024 with a shoulder injury, what the Phillies will do at first base next season and where the White Sox should start if they plan to be competitive in 2024.

MLBTR's Anthony Franco joins guest host Mark Polishuk to discuss Cal Raleigh's comments asking ownership to spend more after missing the playoffs. Could Ohtani be an option? Also, would the Tigers potentially resign Eduardo Rodriguez if he opts out of his contract and is the team could be closer to contending than people think? Listener questions include whether the Dodgers should resign J.D. Martinez, and/or pursue big-name starters, how much managers are a factor in attracting free agents, and which managerial dismissals were a surprise.

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.