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 Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors to discuss…
- The 2026 World Baseball Classic (0:40)
- The Reds’ Hunter Greene requiring elbow surgery (7:50)
Plus, we answer your questions, including…
- Why are the Braves not calling the Red Sox about Jarren Duran? (14:50)
- Why have the Braves not addressed their injured rotation? Why not sign Lucas Giolito to a minor league deal? Does the club have an issue with how they treat their pitchers since they seem to have so many injuries? (20:50)
- Will Kevin McGonigle break camp with the Tigers and how would that impact the rest of the roster? (34:20)
- Who are some surprising performers in spring training who could impact the 2026 season? (46:05)
Check out our past episodes!
- Jesús Luzardo’s Extension, Atlanta’s Depth, And Zack Littell – listen here
- Max Scherzer, The Red Sox’ Lineup, Spring Extension Candidates, And More! – listen here
- Twins And Orioles’ Injuries, The Guardians And Angels’ Quiet Offseasons, And Chris Sale’s Extension – listen here
The podcast intro and outro song “So Long” is provided courtesy of the band Showoff. Check out their Facebook page here!
Photo courtesy of Katie Stratman, Imagn Images
I just want McGonigle to make the bigs so I can keep saying his name with a HUGE Boston accent
Muhgawnuhgull
McGarnagle
“Does the club (Braves) have an issue with how they treat their pitchers?”…Y’all remember when Lucas Simms blasted the organization for how they treat young pitchers. And then a lot fans blasted him in return? Was he right? I sure as heck didn’t disagree with him then, it becomes more and more true now seems like.
@braveshomer — He made those comments in August 2020 (when he had a lot of time on his hands because of the pandemic). All he said was “Cause the Reds actually care about making their pitchers great at what their [sic] good at”. You’re talking about 1 pitcher in how many? I chalk it up to a disagreement in pitching philosophies and development. Good for him that he’s had some success, but so has ATL. More than most in their pitching development. I don’t think a few injuries, which every team has, really makes them question much more than they ordinarily would. It should be noted that they changed pitching coaches this season. How relevant that statement is almost 6 years old is up for debate, especially considering since then how many young arms have found success at the ML quickly, regardless of their injuries.
Agreed, I admittedly don’t follow other clubs and their pitching, injuries, etc. near as much as the Braves. It just seems our injuries are more prominent and devastating to the club than other teams…I also am not in the camp that blames trainers, believe every pitcher has some magical number of pitches in their arms, etc. So speaking out of both sides of my mouth lol. It just reminds of Simms when I hear it, especially when we feel pitchers get rushed up.
What Simms was referring to is the Braves’ philosophy with young pitchers to try to have them develop better secondary pitches by restricting them from using their best pitches.
While some other teams try to refine their best offerings. It has to do with approach, not treatment.
@SoCal — I appreciate that comment. You hit the nail on the head.
Don’t be so sure on McGonigle breaking camp with the Tigers. He might, but the last couple of weeks he has struggled as he has seen better pitching. So he very well could see Toledo at the start of the season. Not at all a done deal
Braves need something to break right for that pitching staff. Jeremy Hefner isn’t going to save them. Something is wrong with that org’s pitching lab.
@Fried — Based on what? Injuries? Hard to argue (though you’ll try) with some of the success they’ve had across the board, even in cups of coffee with young guys. Then having some guys (i.e. Rey Lopez) with limited success elsewhere coming in and excelling in a new role. Again, yes, they’ve had injuries, but that’s the ebb and flow. They also, again, have top P prospects excelling. ATL relies more on young arms than most top teams that dip more into FA, and there’s a high burnout rate on young arms, thus why they draft/develop so much pitching (which like last year, still is not enough).
Is Giolito even going to pitch this season?
If Giolito was willing to take a minor league deal, he would have signed somewhere by now.
Test
On bringing up McGonigle, I wonder how Parker Meadows never seems to get mentioned as a potential candidate to send down to Toledo. He has an option left and hasn’t hit much. He’s a great option defensively in center, but he hasn’t hit much lately (.215/.291/.330 last year). I’d keep Vierling as RHH utility and McKinstry as LHH utility guys.
Tigers fall to Bucs, 8-7, in prospect game. Some decent showings by various Tigers.
Notables:
Max Clark 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI, okay after collision w/Pirate covering 1B
Rainer 1-for-2, 1 RBI, solid contact, (no defense, DH)
Valencia 0-for-4, 1 R, 1 E, 1 PB, rough game, could stand to lose 20 lbs
Pacheco 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, solid D at 3B, solid contact at plate
Callahan 1-for-1, 3 BB, 1 SF, continues to impress w/hard contact, nice approach
Rodriguez, C 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, strong throw from RF fence to 3B almost nailed runner
Yost 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 Ks, solid hit
Jimenez, 1 IP, 0 H/R, 2 K (pitched 1st inning, didn’t get to see) 10 of 12 pitches strikes
Miller, Jo (age 26) 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER/BB, 6 K