MLB Trade Rumors Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz getting indicted due to their involvement in a gambling scandal, Shane Bieber's surprising decision to pick up his player option with Toronto, Jack Flaherty choosing to stay in Detroit for another year, the Rays declining the option on Pete Fairbanks, Trevor Story deciding to not to opt out of his deal with the Red Sox, Gleyber Torres and Shota Imanaga getting offered qualifying offers, guys like Lucas Giolito and Devin Williams who didn't receive one, and the Rockies hiring Paul DePodesta as their new president of baseball operations despite him working most recently as an NFL executive.

Steve Adams and Anthony Franco join Darragh McDonald to preview the offseason with a discussion of the site's list of top trade candidates. 

First they give some final World Series thoughts, discuss the Cubs declining Shota Imanaga's option, and Ha-Seong Kim becoming a free agent.

Trade-related topics include whether the Cardinals will try to move Brendan Donovan to help them rebuild, if Mackenzie Gore is a shoo-in to get traded, CJ Abrams' value, the direction the Twins will go in following their deadline fire sale, if the Pirates will trade pitching to acquire hitting help, how the Rays could move some guys who are set to make a significant salary, speculation that the Brewers will trade Freddy Peralta, the potential for the Marlins to trade Sandy Alcantara or Edward Cabrera, what the A's will do as they start to come out of their rebuild, and if the Reds and Angels could line up on a trade of Brady Singer for Taylor Ward. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Red Sox extending Aroldis Chapman after a surprisingly good year at age 38 and Walker Buehler getting released and signing with the Phillies.

In an extended mailbag section, listener question topics include the Braves claiming Ha-Seong Kim and if they will spend more now that they've gotten under the luxury tax threshold, what the Rangers need to address this offseason, what the Pirates could realistically do in left field next year, and if the Marlins will trade starting pitching or commit to winning instead. 

Anthony Franco joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss Aaron Nola staying with the Phillies and how his big contract will affect the rest of the starting pitching market. They also analyze Reynaldo Lopez signing with the Braves and Lance Lynn with the Cardinals and point out the most intriguing names from this year's crop of non-tenders. 

Listener question topics include the slow pace of baseball free agency compared to other sports, whether the Dodgers will have another "disappointing" offseason and if the Pirates could sign Rhys Hoskins or another notable free agent. 

Steve Adams joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss the site's list of top offseason trade candidates, what Bryce Harper moving to first base means for the rest of the Phillies' roster and what the Braves will do with the extra money after Alex Anthopoulos stated that the payroll will be going up. 

Listener question topics include what's in store for the NL Central teams this offseason, if the Angels will pursue other top free agents if they miss out on Ohtani and whether Jonathan India has significant trade value following two underwhelming seasons. 

Host Darragh McDonald is joined by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams and Anthony Franco to discuss the site's annual Top 50 Free Agent list. In this extra-long episode, they talk about how they decided on a number that they think Ohtani will reach, why they are so high on Cody Bellinger's market, the ranking of the free agent pitchers, and much more.

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the likelihood of the Padres trading Juan Soto with reports saying that the team is looking to cut payroll next season, Giants' president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and new manager Bob Melvin both sign new contracts to be with the team for three seasons and the Red Sox hire former pitcher Craig Breslow to be their front office boss. 

Listener question topics include whether Ohtani will sign early or late into the offseason, who could trade with the Twins for Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler and what are realistic free agent pitching targets for the Orioles. 

Anthony Franco joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss Adolis Garcia's rise from going unclaimed on waivers to being named ALCS MVP, what's next for the Astros, including extension candidates and a potential managerial search, if Bob Melvin will change teams despite still being under contract, the likelihood of Tyler Glasnow getting traded.

Listener questions include how the Mariners will address their offense and where Cody Bellinger could sign this offseason. 

Anthony Franco joins host Darragh McDonald to discuss why Boston's top front office job might be hard to fill, the next step for Kim Ng after choosing not to continue as GM in Miami and what potential contracts could look like for Brandon Woodruff after he gets shoulder surgery just one year away from free agency. 

Listener email questions include analyzing what teams will do this offseason vs. what they should do, and whether the current playoff structure isn't advantageous for the top seeds. 

Host Darragh McDonald is back and is joined by MLBTR's Anthony Franco to discuss Billy Eppler resigning  from the Mets' front office amidst an investigation into injured list manipulation, bad news in Miami with Sandy Alcantara's Tommy John being announced and the team being eliminated from the playoffs, and Mike Hazen's extension as GM of the Diamondbacks.

Listener question topics include whether the Braves could trade Vaughn Grissom for pitching help, especially after it was announced that Kyle Wright will miss all of 2024 with a shoulder injury, what the Phillies will do at first base next season and where the White Sox should start if they plan to be competitive in 2024.