MLB Trade Rumors Podcast

Steve Adams and Anthony Franco both join Darragh McDonald to take a big-picture look at the past offseason, discussing why every year is so different, why older position players seem to be valued less on the market, if a salary cap should be instituted in the future, whether the Mets will continue to be bigger spenders than the Yankees, how Juan Soto's deal will affect future top free agents like Kyle Tucker and Vlad Guerrero Jr., the current state of TV rights and how it could change future revenue for teams, if expansion still has a chance of happening soon despite the fluid situations of the A's and Rays, and what storylines they are excited for this season. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss to Rays' stadium deal falling apart in St. Petersburg, why the league didn't prioritize keeping a team in Oakland how they are in Florida, and the state of the Rangers' rotation after injuries to Cody Bradford and Jon Gray.

Listener question topics include comparing Sandy Alcantara and Dylan Cease as trade targets, if the Pirates will trade from their catching depth, if the Mariners will have more luck trading their prospects at the deadline compared to the offseason, expectations for the Yankees this season considering the injuries they've sustained, and if the Tigers are having Javy Baez and Spencer Torkelson play different positions to improve their trade stock. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Athletics extending Lawrence Butler, the news that Gerrit Cole needs Tommy John surgery and where that leaves the Yankees' rotation, the injury to Francisco Alvarez testing the Mets' catching depth, and the league and other owners pressuring Rays owner Stu Sternburg to sell the team.

Listener question topics include who will win the central divisions, the likelihood of trades occuring before the end of spring training, and if Dodgers fans should be worried about the age of their players. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Jose Quintana signing with the Brewers, how Luis Gil's injury opens up a spot for Marcus Stroman in the Yankees' rotation, and Jordan Montgomery seemingly set to start the season in the Diamondbacks' bullpen. 

Listener question topics include whether the Nationals will start spending more now that their TV dispute has been sorted out, the likelihood of a salary floor being instituted in the future, the chances of Luis Robert Jr. getting traded before the season starts, whether Paul Skenes or Elly De La Cruz would be more likely to sign an extension, how bad the White Sox will be, if Jeff McNeil could get traded to make room for a prospect, if the Tigers could acquire an outfield bat now that they are dealing with some injuries, what improvements can be expected from Mariners' veterans who struggled last year, the chances that David Bote will make the Dodgers' roster, and the odds of MLB expanding by more than two teams. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald in an all-mailbag episode. They discuss many things including whether the Braves will really begin the season without acquiring more depth in their rotation or bullpen, why David Robertson remains unsigned, the possibility of a reunion between the Mets and Jose Iglesias after the recent injury to Nick Madrigal, how Justin Turner will fit onto the Cubs' roster, whether Jackson Jobe will win a rotation job in Detroit over Casey Mize and Kenta Maeda, if the Mariners are looking to trade Luis Castillo, and how deferrals don't actually skirt the luxury tax. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Alex Bregman's short-term deal with the Red Sox, how he fits onto their roster, where it leaves the Tigers after missing out on him, if it means that Nolan Arenado will now stay in St. Louis, and why the Cardinals haven't traded their impending free agents. They also discuss the Padres signing Nick Pivetta and Kyle Hart to put them over the luxury tax threshold, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s comments that he will hit the free agent market next offseason after not reaching an agreement with the Blue Jays, and the Diamondbacks signing Geraldo Perdomo to an extension and their surprisingly high payroll level. 

Listener question topics include why projections systems like the Twins despite their quiet offseason, the glut of good teams in the AL, and why Buster Posey and the Giants were not more aggressive. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Pete Alonso coming to an agreement with the Mets, how it came together, and what it means for the rest of their roster. 

Listener question topics include Alex Bregman's options now that he is the biggest free agent left on the market, whether Nolan Arenado would be a good fit in Boston, if the Orioles need to make another rotation move,  and what the Marlins are hoping to achieve with their rebuild. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Tigers bringing back Jack Flaherty, the team's continued interest in Alex Bregman, Max Scherzer signing with the Blue Jays to bolster their rotation, the Rays signing Ha-Seong Kim, the Padres plan to move Xander Bogaerts back to shortstop, what trades the Padres could still make this offseason, Jorge Polanco surprisingly resigning with the Mariners, and the underwhelming finish to the Giants' offseason after trading Taylor Rogers to the Reds to shed salary. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Astros trading Ryan Pressly to the Cubs, Houston's continued involvement in bringing back Alex Bregman and the potential of moving Jose Altuve to the outfield, the Braves signing Jurickson Profar, whether they will try to stay under the luxury tax threshold this season or if there is money available to improve their rotation depth.

Listener question topics include whether the Pirates will acquire a right fielder before the season starts, why Jack Flaherty is still unsigned, the reasons that the baseball offseason is so different from other sports, if there is a common thread between the big-name players who are still on the market, which team would say no to a Luis Arraez for Brett Baty trade, and if the Cubs should pursue a Michael King trade with the Padres. 

MLBTR founder TIm Dierkes joins Darragh McDonald to discuss results of a poll put on the site showing that most fans want a salary cap and that many would be willing to forfeit the 2027 season to get it. They also think about what parity in the league really means and the most effective ways to achieve it. Then they go over the signings of Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates with the Dodgers, and Anthony Santander with the Blue Jays.