MLB Trade Rumors Podcast

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Shohei Ohtani landing on the IL and whether he should continue to pitch long term, Josue De Paula's callup, and Edwin Diaz's disastrous season. Other topics include the Diamondbacks claiming Jesús Sánchez off waivers despite him not being eligible for the playoffs, the Mariners and Twins calling up many of their top prospects to finish the year. Listener email topics include changes that the Brewers could make during the offseason and whether the MLBTR writers would prefer the proposed plan for specific signing windows.

Brennan McClain of Pro Hockey Rumors joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Stan Kroenke's purchasing the Los Angeles Angels. He shares insider knowledge about how Kroenke has run the Colorado Avalanche his other sports franchises. They also talk about what the future could hold for the Angels' payroll and potential real estate expansion around the stadium.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the approval for a new Rays' stadium in Tampa, whether league expansion could be coming soon, the Orioles claiming Luis Robert Jr. off waivers, and some prospect promotions, including Ethan Salas for the Padres, Walker Jenkins for the Twins, Lazaro Montes for the Mariners, and Leo Bernal for the Cardinals, and how JJ Wetherholt's injury could end up costing St. Louis a PPI draft pick.

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Astros firing general manager Dana Brown and how it's been been an interesting ride for the teams' front office under owner Jim Crane. They also discuss the Mariners promoting top pitching prospect Kade Anderson, Colt Emerson's season-ending wrist surgery, and how things might be different for the Padres now that their new ownership has officially taken over. Listener email topics include the chances of the Red Sox signing Adley Rutschman to an extension this offseason and whether the Tigers should have held on to Tarik Skubal and others to make a stronger run at a playoff berth.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Athletics letting GM David Forst go, the many questions surrounding the franchise as the get ready for their move to Las Vegas, the Nationals moving CJ Abrams from shortstop to second base, how the Reds will fare following Hunter Greene's UCL surgery, Max Fried going back on the IL with an elbow injury, what George Lombard Jr.'s promotion will mean for the other Yankees infielders, if the Rockies' recent decisions point seem different from their old braintrust, Joshua Baez's massive debut and how well things have worked out for the Cardinals this year.

MLBTR's newest contributor, Ethan Hullihen joins Darragh McDonald to discuss his work on the Payroll Tracker that was recently launched by MLB Trade Rumors. He talks about how he got started doing such detailed work, how his partnership with MLBTR came to be, what he hopes for from the next CBA, and some clarifications of commonly misunderstood terms and rules that affect team payrolls.

Steve Adams and Anthony Franco join Darragh McDonald to discuss the Dodgers acquiring Tarik Skubal, the prospect return that the Tigers received, why no other team beat that offer, how the Tigers stopped short of a full selloff, the Orioles returns from trading Adley Rutschman and others, the Red Sox not being afraid of dealing major assets such as Marcelo Mayer, the Rays shoring up their pitching and catching, the Angels actually selling pieces (unlike in past years), the Blue Jays trading away their rentals while also acquiring Jose Soriano, the Reds and Rangers not doing anything, the Giants receiving good value for their players, the Yankees making some questionable deals, the lack of big moves from the Astros, Mariners, and Braves, and the White Sox, Cubs, and Brewers making some moves while showing restraint.

Steve 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.