The latest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at this link to listen, if you don’t use Spotify or Apple for podcasts.
This week, host Darragh McDonald is joined by Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors to discuss…
- Pete Alonso re-signing with the Mets (1:45)
- What’s next for the Blue Jays after not getting Alonso? (9:25)
- Will the Mets and Alonso going to reunite again in the future or will this be it? (12:55)
Plus, we answer your questions, including…
- What teams could still sign Alex Bregman? (17:50)
- Can the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado to the Red Sox? (29:20)
- Do the Orioles need an ace? (37:55)
- What are the Marlins building right now? (39:30)
Check out our past episodes!
- Jack Flaherty Back To Detroit, Max Scherzer, And What’s Next For The Padres – listen here
- Ryan Pressly To The Cubs, Bregman’s Future, And Jurickson Profar – listen here
- Debating A Salary Cap, How To Improve Parity, More Dodgers Moves, And Anthony Santander – listen here
The podcast intro and outro song “So Long” is provided courtesy of the band Showoff. Check out their Facebook page here!
Tigers I know that bregman won’t do well in comerica park but imagine the statement it would make to sign him
It would mean the tigers are back after 10 years of being dormant and ready to challenge Cleveland and Minnesota for the division
I completely agree with this take on the Orioles’ rotation and it’s basically what I have been saying for the last month and a half. Well said.
This rotation isn’t sexy, but it’s solid enough to start the year when paired with an elite offense and solid bullpen. The sky is not falling and another addition, while definitely desirable, isn’t completely necessary right this second since additions for the playoffs can still be made until the end of July.
You know how I feel about this one!
Let’s see what Orioles’ team comes out of the gate: the 57-33 1st half version from last year or the 34-38 2nd half. Interesting to note that in the majority of the Orioles’ winning seasons back to the 90s (and majority overall), their 1st half is better than 2nd half. Exceptions: 2022 (the Rutschman effect-overcame miserable start) 2015 (.500 in both halves), and 1996 (the Eddie Murray effect-a couple games better in half 2 after a midseason lull).
Interesting to read about pitchers and catchers reporting, is -3 here with a little fresh snow on the ground.
In 2023 they had a .607 winning percentage in the first half and a .644 winning percentage in the second half. If you’re just looking at total wins most seasons have more games played before the All Star break than after so it’s never an even comparison.
KK-Yep I read 2023 incorrectly, thanks!
Thorn – Yeah I agree it’s silly for the O’s to start the season without acquiring a #1 starting pitcher. I understand the belief is everyone expects them to make the postseason anyway, but if you want to truly contend for a WS championship your first goal should be a division title where you advance directly to the ALDS with home field advantage. Last year they were just 3 wins away from being at the top of the division, first half games count just as much as second half games.
And I disagree about top SP’s like Cease costing less at the trade deadline. There’s fewer of them available then, and contenders who need to replace an injured SP or feel they have a shot at the WS are more apt to overspend at the trade deadline. The Padres know this, which is why they haven’t settled on a Cease or King trade yet.
Thornton- You always bring up stuff that isn’t really relevant to what is being discussed. The topic here is whether the Orioles’ rotation is in an acceptable place to *start* the season relative to the quality of the rest of the roster, and I agree with Anthony in this episode that it is, even if it isn’t necessarily ideal. You disagree, and that’s fine.
FPG- We currently have 5 perfectly solid (or better) guys for the rotation with decent depth behind them, plus Bradish and Wells on track for second half returns, and we got Eflin last year for 3 prospects that virtually no one outside of the Orioles fanbase had ever heard of, so I’m not too worried about finding an upgrade at the deadline if it is needed, which isn’t even a certainty.
King – Like I said, right now they are good enough to make the playoffs … but do you honestly think they are good enough to reach the WS?
And if they do decide to pursue a #1 SP at the deadline, will they be willing to give up a strong prospect package to acquire one?
Those are the two big questions.
I believe the answer to the first question is no, and I have no clue what the answer to the second question might be.
What I do know is the team with the 15th-highest payroll in MLB should have done more this offseason, and it’s a shame they didn’t.
Floch- I think it is very relevant. If they start slowly and are 34-38 in July (same record they closed in 2024), maybe 4th and 10+ games out they not only don’t make the move for a TOR guy, they fold on 2025 and trade guys on one year or expiring deals. If they start 57-33 and are solidly in 1st, they verify your take above in theory and probably stick with what they have outside of maybe a tweak or address a hole from an injury. If somewhere in between? That would be the most interesting watch in July.
FPG- I absolutely think we’re a legitimate WS contender right now, although certainly not the favorite or anything, but a team with a solid rotation, an elite offense, and a good bullpen can absolutely go all the way. It would obviously be nice to increase those odds by adding another good SP and I fully expect we will if it’s needed at the deadline.
And again, we’re already scheduled to get Bradish back prior to the playoffs, and he’s better than any pitcher likely to change hands at the deadline.
King – I don’t want to come across as raining on your parade, so I’ll refrain from commenting further on whether the current team is good enough to reach the WS. And sure, there’s always the chance key injuries to the Yankees, Astros etc could benefit the O’s.
As for Bradish, you may want to temper your expectations. Every pitcher who has returned from his kind of injury took at least a half season to return to form. Sale obviously comes to mind immediately. If you can think of any who have beaten the odds, I’d be curious to hear.
Thornton- There are so many variables that change from year to year that it is hard to consider it much more than statistical noise or put significant stock in it, especially without the same data for other teams.
Here we go again with the 3rd base problem children. When will it end….if ever?! Ahahahahahaha!
Seems like a repeat of all old news.
Xxx
Tx no state tax, just extreme property tax, sales tax.
No Tx tax, just high property tax.
? Tigers ?
IF the Tigers take on ALL of Arenado’s contact, pay $1M to permanently waive the NT clause, offer players like Jung and a couple of prospect lottos like Melton, Madden…..what top prospects could the Tigers get back?
Cleaning house for the new guy?
BREGMAN BRESLOW!
If Bregman falls off a cliff in the next 3 years, that’s a he!! of a price for him to pay to be able to say “at least I got [a deferred, heavily discounted] $40m a year!”
Seems like at least one GM missed the boat:
“Alex, we’re offering $100m a year for six years. Granted the NPV is $10m a year since we’re only paying you beginning in the year 2080, but $100m!!!” before waving something shiny in front of him.