MLB Trade Rumors Podcast

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Nationals extending Jacob Young, the chances of the Rays holding onto Drew Rasmussen, and the rule keeping the Angels from hiring a new GM until their new owner is approved. 

Listener email topics include the potential process for high-spending teams with long-term contracts to get under the salary cap if one is instituted, whether the 2027 minor league season would be affected by a lockout, what it would take to extend William Contreras, which avenues the Mets should take to improve their roster, if the Cardinals could trade Andre Pallante, and where Jasson Dominguez could end up if the Yankees trade him.

Steve Adams and Anthony Franco join Darragh McDonald to discuss takeaways from the World Series and use the site's lists of the Top 50 Free Agents and Top 40 Trade Candidates to springboard into a preview of the offseason. They talk about the overall scope of the offseason as well as what to expect from some individual player contracts. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the uncertainty surrounding the Angels as their owner, manager and general manager are all changing. They also react to the news that Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone will remain with the Yankees. 

Listener email questions include whether the Giants will make moves to contend next year, such as trading young players or signing a big free agent like Tarik Skubal, what the Cardinals need to do this offseason, and whether owners and players are negotiating in good faith. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the World Series matchup between the Rays and the Brewers, whether the Dodgers will make big changes this offseason, how aggressive the Guardians will be coming off their ALCS appearance, how playoff teams are putting an increased emphasis on defense, and what having a low-payroll team in win the championship will mean for collective bargaining. They also talk about Taylor Smith getting hired as the Athletics' new president of baseball operations, Don Mattingly staying on as Phillies' manager, the Astros parting ways with Joe Espada.

Listener question topics include if the Marlins will be willing to move Otto Lopez, and whether teams will wait until after the new CBA to sign a player to a long-term deal. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the remaining playoff teams and the reality that at least one small-payroll club will make the World Series this year. They also recap the seasons of the teams who were recently eliminated and preview what their offseasons could look like. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Diamondbacks' decision to bring back Torey Lovullo, comments from the team's owner that they're going to scale back payroll, and whether Ketel Marte could be on the trade block. 

They also take time to preview the offseasons of the Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox, and Astros following their respective eliminations from playoff contention and talk about some creative new pitching strategies, such as the Marlins using starters on their bullpen-throwing days, and the White Sox blurring the line between starting pitcher and reliever. 

Listener email topics include whether the Mariners will trade from their rotation depth to improve their lineup.

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Aaron Judge being left off the Yankees' Wild Card roster, the plan for Garrett Crochet to pitch out of Boston's bullpen, whether the Rangers will scale back their payroll next year, how the Diamondbacks could build around their core, and news that Ben Cherington expects to return as Pirates' GM following a winning season.

Listener email topics include what the Guardians' low-payroll success could mean for CBA negotiations, which managerial opening is the most appealing, whether Kyle Harrison is a good extension candidate, what teams would benefit most from a system with a salary cap and floor, and which Cubs free agent is most likely to resign with the team.  

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss this year's weak free agent class, the latest Free Agent Power Rankings, what kind of market to expect for Japanese star Teruaki Sato, the Nationals signing Cade Cavalli to a four-year extension, and how the playoff brackets are shaping up as teams play out the final games of the regular season.  

Listener email topics include whether the new postseason format is inferior to the old one, an idea for teams to get an extra ABS challenge during playoff games, if Casey Mize is at risk of being left off the Padres' playoff roster, how the Reds can recover after a disastrous year, and the Red Sox extending manager Chad Tracy and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. 

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.