Published by MLB Trade Rumors
With an eye always focused on the hot stove, the MLBTR podcast gives analysis of transactions, roster moves and, of course, rumors from around the league. Host Darragh McDonald is joined each week by a fellow MLBTR writer to break it all down.
Listen on Apple PodcastsSteve Adams and Anthony Franco join Darragh McDonald to set the table for next week's trade deadline. Topics include the Red Sox trading Connelly Early to the Nationals for Curtis Mead, if Boston could still make other moves to improve their middle infield, the tough decision the Tigers need to make about whether to trade Tarik Skubal or keep trying to compete, the potential suitors for Skubal, if the Padres should consider trading Mason Miller or Adrian Morejon, how big of a splash the Mariners could make, whether new trade candidates could emerge on the catching market after Shea Langeliers got hurt and the Twins seem more likely to keep Ryan Jeffers, if the Angels should take advantage of the seller's market and commit to a full rebuild, what to make of the Rangers, whether the Marlins' recent collapse will lead them to sell, and how difficult it will be for the Giants to move their big-money contracts.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Reds signing Chase Burns to a long contract extension, the Reds looking to sell off their impending free agents, the Orioles extending Kyle Bradish, the Brewers acquiring Colton Gordon and Lance McCullers from the Astros to bolster their pitching depth, the Dodgers trading the Rockies for Seth Halvorsen, and what the Mets' selloff could look like.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Cardinals signing JJ Wetherholt to a long-term extension, the Pirates acquiring Jacob Gonzalez from the White Sox to replace the injured Konnor Griffin, the great season the White Sox are having and the rationale for them to trade away assets in the middle of a playoff race, how the Marlins have put themselves in position to keep Sandy Alcantara and buy at the deadline, and if the Athletics will pivot to selling following their brutal past month.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss how the Royals are not in a great position to capitalize on as a seller, who could be moved from Cincinnati's roster as the keep moving further away from contention, how the Cardinals will weigh short-term vs. long-term success, what bullpen moves the Marlins could make, if the Mariners could add a right-handed bat or a high-end starting pitcher, if the Padres will end up being buyers or sellers, and whether Mason Miller could be back on the trade block.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Mets topics that include the firing of manager Carlos Mendoza, trading David Peterson to the Cubs, and whether Bo Bichette and other players could be available at the deadline. Other topics include the Angels firing general manager Perry Minasian and bringing on John Mozeliak as interim GM, and how recently-promoted prospect Cooper Ingle will fit into the Guardians' catching plans.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the plethora of injuries that the Diamondbacks are facing and potential trade chips that the Red Sox could deal at the deadline. Listener question topics include the possibility of Atlanta trading for Sonny Gray, whether Cleveland would trade for Aroldis Chapman, if the prospect cost of acquiring Tarik Skubal is worth it, whether the Marlins could make Max Meyer available and if the White Sox are a good fit for him, and how the players and owners feel about the topic of expansion.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss who the Giants could trade following reports that the team is getting ready to sell at the deadline, the Brewers extending Luis Lara and their trend of locking up prospects before they debut, Milwaukee's uncertain infield situation, whether surprise teams like the White Sox, Cardinals and Nationals should invest resources into competing this year, and what to make of the underwhelming AL Central. Listener email topics include how Bo Bichette would need to perform to justify opting out of his contract and a trade hypothetical that would send Bryan Abreu to the Pirates.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to preview the 2026-27 free-agent class, discuss what has led this year's group getting weaker, and talk about some players who have climbed up the rankings, including Brandon Lowe, Luis Arraez and others. They also break down how the Yankees could fare while Aaron Judge recovers from a stress fracture.
MLBTR founder Tim Dierkes joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the early CBA proposals put out by both the Players Association and MLB. Some topics discussed include a competitive integrity tax, a hard cap and floor system, shared TV revenue, how many games each side would be willing to sacrifice, how to improve competitive balance, the public nature of the negotiations so far, how the MLBPA could improve their PR, and how pragmatic the current collection of owners will be during negotiations.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Athletics promoting pitching prospect Gage Jump, the Tigers' disappointing start to the season and whether they will look to trade players such as Tarik Skubal, Riley Greene and Casey Mize, the Twins demoting Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner and dealing with an injury to Ryan Jeffers as they try to stay in the playoff picture, whether the Red Sox will be able to add offense in a trade, and the trade value of some Padres' players including Fernando Tatis and Jake Cronenworth.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Mariners calling up Colt Emerson, whether Patrick Corbin and Spencer Miles can keep the Blue Jays' rotation afloat, the state of the Dodgers' rotation with Blake Snell on the IL and the team acquiring Eric Lauer from Toronto, if the Mets can crawl back into contention despite the injuries to Francisco Alvarez and Clay Holmes, and Jose Altuve's oblique strain and the Astros overall struggles. Listener email topics include who the biggest positive surprises have been so far this year, and if the Dodgers could leverage their glut of outfield prospects at the trade deadline.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Giants trading Patrick Bailey to Cleveland for a prospect and a draft pick, the Guardians' love of poor-hitting catchers, Carlos Correa's season-ending surgery, whether the Astros can turn things around, the Diamondbacks shaking up their outfield by calling up Ryan Waldschmidt and trading Alek Thomas to the Dodgers, the Mets calling up A.J. Ewing, and the Marlins promoting Robby Snelling. Listener question topics include what to expect from the TIgers moving forward, which starting pitchers the Cubs could target at the deadline, and if David Bednar is good enough to stick as the Yankees' closer.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the news of Tarik Skubal needing elbow surgery and what it means for the Tigers' season and his own free agency, the Marlins sending down catcher Agustin Ramierez, calling up top prospect Joe Mack and what to make of Liam Hicks, Chris Paddack getting released, the Giants promoting Bryce Eldridge and how he is an awkward fit on the roster, the Yankees optioning Anthony Volpe to Triple A to continue giving at bats to Jose Caballero, and how injuries to Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray have put the Red Sox rotation in a tough position. Listener question topics include whether the Rockies should put Chase Dollander on the trade block, what the Brewers could do to address the left side of their infield, and if the Cubs should have high-upside prospects as bench players instead of veterans like Nicky Lopez.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Red Sox firing Alex Cora along with five other coaches, what is leading to the lack of success in Boston, Lucas Giolito settling for a $3 million guarantee with the Padres, Taijuan Walker getting released, the Phillies firing manager Rob Thomson, and the Guardians promoting top prospect Travis Bazzana.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Kevin McGonigle getting an even bigger extension than Konnor Griffin, the Padres reported valuation of $3.9 billion and whether it will affect CBA negotiations later this year, and how Edwin Diaz missing extended time will affect the Dodgers. Listener question topics include how the Braves are thriving despite the injuries in their rotation, if Michael Wacha can continue his dominant performance, if the Reds will continue to play struggling players like TJ Friedl and Matt McLain, and whether the Nationals' offense is for real.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Blue Jays acquiring Lenyn Sosa from the White Sox to bolster their depth, the flood of injuries for the Astros as well as the teams' poor start, the Cubs' Cade Horton needing UCL surgery and the shaky state of their rotation, and the mounting injuries that the Orioles are facing with Adley Rutschman and Zach Eflin being two of the latest to hit the IL. Listener question topics include why Konnor Griffin was willing to sign such a long contract extension, whether his discipline will be a long-term concern, why so many good hitters are off to slow starts, and whether Jakob Junis will be able to keep the closer job in Texas.
Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the site's first edition of the 2026-27 Free Agent Power Rankings. Topics include how big Tarik Skubal's contract could get, some safe bets like Freddy Peralta and Bo Bichette, and some guys with wide error bars like Jazz Chisholm, Trevor Rogers, Kris Bubic, Michael King and Dalton Varsho. They also discuss Konnor Griffin's debut and talks of an extension.
Steve Adams and Anthony Franco both join Darragh McDonald for an offseason recap, but they first discuss a string of extensions, including Colt Emerson with the Mariners, Cooper Pratt with the Brewers (reported), Shane Baz with the Orioles, Nico Hoerner with the Cubs as well as the terms of the Pete Crow-Armstrong deal. After that, they have a big-picture conversation to recap the offseason and set the table for 2026. Topics include teams being more cautious about signing international free agents, chances of a lockout next year, how TV contracts will play out in the future, the trend of stars taking short-term deals, MLB's untenable financial situation, which teams they expect to be dominant, how PPI has led to earlier call-ups, and the fun that ABS is already providing.
The PCA and Sanchez Extensions, And Prospect Promotions And Demotions Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Pete Crow-Armostrong's extension with the Cubs, the Phillies further extending Christopher Sanchez and how they have most of their rotation now locked up long term, Spencer Strider starting the season on the IL, the trend of teams putting rotation candidates into the rotation rather than Triple-A, the Nationals sending both Dylan Crews and Harry Ford down to the minors, some exciting prospect promotions, including the Mets' Carson Benge, the Cardinals' JJ Weatherholt, Konnor Griffin and Travis Bazzana not making their respective opening day rosters, where the Blue Jays' rotation stands with Jose Berrios, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber all starting the year on the IL, and Braxton Garrett getting optioned.
Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss what makes the World Baseball Classic so great, how Hunter Greene's elbow surgery will affect the Reds, if the Braves should address their roster holes by trading for Jarren Duran or signing Lucas Giolito, if Kevin McGonigle could break camp with the Tigers, and young Twins, Mariners and Cardinals pitchers who are turning heads in spring training.
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