MLB Trade Rumors Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Ronald Acuna Jr. tearing an ACL for the second time in his career, who the Braves could target to replace him in the lineup and the state of the team in general. Also, Hal Steinbrenner's comments about the Yankees' payroll being unsustainable due to the luxury tax, a potential battle between high-payroll teams and low-payroll teams when the time comes for CBA negotiations and the reporting that teams expect Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki to be posted this offseason.

Listener question topics include an idea for a relief pitching bonus based on WPA and if Taylor Ward would be a good fit for Atlanta.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss what kind of offer it would take to convince Juan Soto and Scott Boras to forgo free agency, the seven-year extension offer that the Mets floated to Pete Alonso last year and what he and the team will decide to do this year as he is set to become a free agent. 

Listener question topics include whether the Orioles and Tigers could match up on a trade involving a bat for a bullpen arm,  some questions about the prospect promotion incentive: if a rookie traded mid-season qualifies, why Mason Miller isn't eligible and if rookies from foreign leagues can help their teams get a draft pick. Lastly, why has Corbin Carroll struggled so much this year and and what the Diamondbacks should do about it. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Paul Skenes debuting in Pittsburgh, the way the media hypes up young players and places impossible expectations on them, the new TV deal between Roku and MLB and what it means for the future of broadcast availability, the brutal WIllson Contreras injury suffered from getting hit by a swing and why pitch framing is causing catchers to get closer to the hitter's bats, and the surprisingly good return the White Sox got from the Rangers for Robbie Grossman despite him being a minor league signing this offseason. 

Listener question topics include who the Astros could sell if they don't turn things around after their poor start, if the Phillies would consider prospect Mick Abel a rotation surplus and trade him for a bat, and if the Tigers should sell high on Tarik Skubal.

Anthony Franco  joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Luis Arraez getting traded to the Padres, what other assets the Marlins could trade and the wheeling and dealing front office in San Diego. 

Listener email topics include when Paul Skenes will be called up by the Pirates and when Jackson Holliday will be called back up by the Orioles, what an automated strike zone could look like in MLB, and why the Tigers aren't making changes to their struggling lineup. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Jose Abreu agreeing to be sent down to the minors, Mike Trout's torn meniscus, the myth of teams having too many players at a certain position, when top prospects like Junior Caminero and Jackson Jobe could be called up, why the White Sox won't be able to pick higher than tenth in the 2025 draft despite their bad record, the average time a repaired tendon can last after Tommy John surgery, the first date a newly-signed free agent is eligible to be traded, and Erick Fedde's trade value after a strong start to the season.