MLB Trade Rumors Podcast

MLBTR's Mark Polishuk joins Darragh McDonald to discuss how this year's free agent class is shaping up, the Royals losing Vinnie Pasquantino to injury, but bolstering their roster by claiming Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman off waivers and adding Yuli Gurriel via trade, Angels promote Caden Dana and Samuel Aldegheri and why the team promotes prospects so aggressively.

Listener question topics include what went wrong to put the White Sox on the brink of breaking the all-time record for losses in a season, what the Rangers should focus on this offseason and whether Chris Young will get a new contract to continue leading the front office, and what the Braves will do at shortstop next year.

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Mariners' manager Scott Servais getting fired along with their hitting coach, Angels' GM Perry Minasian getting an extension and how owner Arte Moreno is to blame for the team's lack of success, the Orioles' lack of rotation depth after recent acquisitions Zach Eflin got injured and Trevor Rogers got optioned, and the legacy and accomplishments of Joey Votto after he announced his retirement this week.

Listener question topics include the chances of Max Fried signing an extension with Atlanta and how his relatively disappointing season will affect his earnings. Also, what the market will look like for Justin Verlander when he hits free agency this offseason.

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss how teams such as the Rangers and Pirates could place players on waivers in hopes of getting salary relief (like the Angels did last year), proposed ideas that would emphasize the importance of starting pitchers, Austin Riley's hand fracture being the latest of Atlanta's many injuries this season, and the Cubs releasing Hector Neris after an underwhelming season.

Listener email topics include other candidates to be placed on waivers, the state of the Tigers and what they will do with the Javy Baez contract, and what the Mets could do at first base next year if they don't resign Pete Alonso.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the White Sox firing their manager, Pedro Grifol, along with most of the coaching staff, the Mariners extending outfielder Victor Robles just a few months after he got released by the Nationals, the Dodgers doing some roster shuffling, designating Amed Rosario for assignment and moving Mookie Betts back to the outfield, and a shake up in the Marlins' front office. 

Listener question topics include whether Camilo Doval will pitch again for the Giants after getting sent down to the minors, whatever happened to Archie Bradley, and if Braves fans should give up hope for the season.

We apologize for the poor audio quality this week. We had some technical difficulties. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to recap some of the moves they didn’t cover in previous episodes including the Mariners acquiring Randy Arozarena, Justin Turner and Yimi Garcia, the Pirates doing a “soft buy” acquiring Bryan De La Cruz while also completing a trade of young players sending Quinn Priester to Boston for infielder Nick Yorke, the long-term outlook of the Pittsburgh rotation, the Phillies adding relatively modest pieces by Dave Dombrowski standards, the Brewers showing off their ability to improve pitchers by getting Frankie Montas to immediately throw harder since being acquired, and the Diamondbacks trading for an elite reliever in A.J. Puk. Also, they guys talk about Mike Trout’s latest injury and how he unfortunately hasn't been able to stay on the field in recent years.

In another megapod to recap the deadline, Darragh McDonald is joined by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams and Anthony Franco to discuss whether the prices were high for buyers this year, why there were no blockbusters, the Erick Fedde trade, how teams like the Cubs and Rays are simultaneously buying and selling, the Blue Jays doing well in their return for Yusei Kikuchi, the relatively small moves that the Guardians made, the Orioles committing a lot of payroll and prospect capital to acquire pitching, if teams will become more aggressive in the offseason since there's been less available at the deadline, the Rockies and Angels deciding to hold onto guys, the Marlins leaning into a full sell, the Braves getting the band back together and much more. 

In an extra-long episode, Darragh McDonald is joined by MLBTR founder Tim Dierkes and writers Steve Adams and Anthony Franco to break down players that could be moved by clear sellers like the White Sox, Marlins and Athletics, unpredictable teams like the Rockies and Angels, the Cubs stating that they aren't planning to make a push this year, the Tigers surprisingly still holding 10% playoff odds according to Fangraphs, some interesting teams to watch like Tampa Bay and Toronto, how clear buyers like the Yankees and Orioles will address their needs, and rapid-fire thoughts about other teams.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss MLBTR's recent list of the top 50 deadline trade candidates, Kansas City jumping the market to acquire reliever Hunter Harvey from the Nationals, the Rays trading Phil Maton to the Mets, how internal options could lead the Rays to deal more of their current players and why the Mets might make even more acquisitions. 

Listener question topics include how the Cubs are stuck  between contending and selling, if the Tigers have played themselves back into the mix, and how much the White Sox will speed up their contention timeline with the deadline deals they're expected to make. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Rays trading Aaron Civale to the Brewers, Milwaukee's desire to add even more pitching, Marlins rumors surrounding Jazz Chisholm Jr. and relievers, a report saying the Angels are only looking to trade impending free agents despite seemingly not being close to competing in 2025 either and the Nationals pivoting into "sell mode" despite being on the fringes of the playoff race.

Listener question topics include how much the Blue Jays will be willing to unload, where the Mariners could look to add offense and the chances of the Braves extending Max Fried.

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the site's most recent update to the free agent power rankings and why the list becomes hard to predict behind the obvious top two of Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Also, a report that the Rays are considering trading some of their veteran starting pitchers for help in other areas of need, whether the Mets could choose a similar path, the difficulty teams will have lining up a deal for Garrett Crochet since he has already exceeded his highest previous inning count in a season, and the promotion of Nationals' prospect James Wood and how the Juan Soto trade continues to pay dividends for Washington.

Listener email topics include the Astros' needs now that they've pulled themselves into playoff contention, if reigning champions ever become sellers as the Rangers may, and if the Tigers are genuine in saying that they may add pieces at the deadline.