MLB Trade Rumors Podcast

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.   

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss trade chips recently getting injured and potentially coming off the market including the Angels' Patrick Sandoval  and the Marlins' Jesus Luzardo and Braxton Garrett and why the Blue Jays, Rays and Rangers could fall into a selling position. The Phillies sign Cristopher Sanchez to a four-year extension and the strong state of the Phillies' rotation long term. Also, bad news for the Blue Jays as they lost top prospect Orelvis Martinez to a PED suspension while dealing with a long losing streak. 

Listener question topics include what it would take for the Rockies to trade some of their talent at the deadline, why they operate so differently from other clubs, Ryan Pressly as a trade candidate and whether the Astros will end up selling at all, whether we could see the Nats or Marlins trade within their division and we think a family member of T.J. McFarland asked whether McFarland could get traded to his hometown Chicago Cubs. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Jose Abreu getting released and how the Astros' struggles this year haven't afforded them time to wait for struggling players to turn things around. Also, the recent injuries to Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and if the Dodgers will make any reactionary moves, Anthony Rizzo out for the Yankees and whether his job will still be there for him when he gets healthy and the Braves' Michael Harris II out with a hamstring strain. The guys also talk about the passing of WIllie Mays and his baseball legacy. 

Listener question topics include trying to figure out whether or not the Mets are contenders in a crowded wild card field, the Nationals being surprisingly interesting and if it makes sense  for the White Sox to package together their big trade chips in one megadeal. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the news of Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy both needing a season-ending elbow surgery,  Kyle Tucker going on the IL and the team's stated reluctance to sell at the deadline.

The guys then take a lot of mailbag questions. Topics include which bad teams have strong farm systems that will allow them to rebound in 2025, who could fit as a right fielder for the Guardians in a trade, if the Marlins will trade both Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jesus Luzardo, the possibility of the Blue Jays trading Kevin Gausman to Atlanta, what the Reds need to do to make the playoffs, and how the Dodgers could round out the back end of their roster.