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 Blue Jays re-signing Max Scherzer and how that alters their rotation picture (3:45)
Plus, we answer your questions, including…
- Could it help with parity if the small-market clubs got even more competitive balance picks and if all picks could be traded? (18:25)
- Why do the Yankees seemingly over value their prospects? Wouldn’t it be better to trade Jasson Domínguez instead of relegating him to a depth role? (36:00)
- Do the Red Sox have enough power in the lineup? What bats could be available at the deadline who would fit the lineup? Would Masataka Yoshida have any trade value if he performs well in the World Baseball Classic? (47:15)
- Which players are likely to be extended before the start of the season or which ones would you like to see extended? (55:45)
Check out our past episodes!
- Twins And Orioles’ Injuries, The Guardians And Angels’ Quiet Offseasons, And Chris Sale’s Extension – listen here
- The Tigers’ Rotation, A Brewers-Red Sox Trade, And Late Free-Agent Signings – listen here
- Twins Front Office Shake-Up, The Brendan Donovan Trade, Eugenio Suarez, And More! – 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 Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images
Is there any method for a MLB team to trade or sell a player to a NPB team? With the player’s consent, perhaps? I wonder if Yoshida would accept a trade back to Japan if the terms were right.
The only person that might know the answer to this is Roger Dorn when he traded Jack Parkman to the White Sox and got Isuro Tanaka in return.
Parkman’s shimmy drives the ladies crazy!
Well it didn’t until he was on the white Sox and it made them puke
true, but regardless, the shimmy can’t be denied!
Fair point
bcjd – Kevin Millar was sold to Chunichi of the NPB, before Theo did something controversial.
Yoshida wants one injury-free season in MLB to finally see whether or not MLB is right for him.
Huh. I don’t remember being aware of that at the time.
Lots has changed in the business relationship between MLB and NPB. Not sure anything like that could occur now.
bcjd – It’s very rare because MLB players typically don’t want to play in Japan if they’ve already got a job in MLB. Millar was paid only $900K in 2002, as he was not yet eligible for free agency and was arb-eligible in 2003. He had a 2-year $6.2M contract lined up with Chunichi, and the Marlins were to receive $1.2M for his rights.
But Millar being Millar, he “changed his mind”. The Marlins didn’t want him back, so they sold him to the Red Sox.
I remember that. Really pissed of the NPB
Well, some of us are *very* grateful Millar “changed his mind!”
Millar drinks for free anytime he comes into my pub.
bcjd – Should be that way with the entire ’04 team!
Hopefully Schilling also drinks for free.
Sean – I honestly can’t remember if he changed his mind because Theo wanted him. Either way, the Marlins were pretty pissed too.
Absolutely!
I don’t remember the details exactly but ive heard Millar in an interview mention it. Something was going on in the world where he just flat out changed his mind about playing overseas. I’m sure it could be found but seems like a lot of effort lol
The Dragons did not want to release him from the deal, with a representative famously telling him he would be “dishonoring his country” if he did not come to Japan.
lol that is a very Japanese response.
Sean – I already knew. LOL!
He said it was because the US was potentially going to war with Iraq.
Seems like an excuse, I’m thinking he just wanted to play for the Sox. It was only a $900K difference in total contract amount.
Sean – MLBPA wasn’t going to allow him to join the Sox because of his scab status. If they hadn’t changed their stance, he probably would have played in Japan.
This Ward kid HAS GOT to be playing himself onto this team. Bring back the bunt to Boston!
Sean – I’m quite familiar with him, watched him play in Hartford. Speed is electric, but as a 27-year-old with zero MLB experience the odds are against him.
He did hit well in AAA last year.
Unfortunately I can’t get the radio feed, every time I try I get the WEEI clowns talkin’ football.
He’s a specialist no doubt and that’ll make it hard but hes definitely showing out this spring. Double digit steals already. He’s in scoring position after bunts, infield singles, and HBP’s seemingly every game.
Yes widening the gap with more international money and comp picks is a great idea. Teams should be able to trade regular draft picks as well with very few restrictions.
Why do ppl act like injuries nor 2027 don’t exist? No one expected Grisham to have the red hot spring training he had in 2025 nor to go on to hit 34 homers. With money being their biggest advantage, who would they let him walk in free agency? They had Dominguez in good in case he declined the offer which he didn’t. But just because Dominguez doesn’t have a clear path to 500 PA as of today an injury to Wells, Stanton, Judge, Rice, or Grisham could easily move him into a starting role. And of not then giving him full time play in AAA with an eye on 2027 is the right way to go. It guards against regression from Grisham.It may allow them to trade Grisham at the deadline for dinnering else their in need of. Or they could just let Grisham walk at the end of the year and call up Dominguez at age 23. There’s zero reason to trade him just to trade him.
Knicks – It always cracks me up how some people spend copious amounts of time and energy studying the analytics of a player, and then totally ignore how injuries have impacted their recent performance.
My gift didn’t make it there again? Must have gotten intercepted at the border again, darn it.
Have to side with Steve on the Sox lineup, the only way it will be above average is if guys with extensive injury histories (Story, Casas, Mayer, Abreu, Contreras, Yoshida) can stay healthy.
Everyone keeps forgetting the contributions of Refsnyder and Romy last year. Refsnyder had a .959 OPS against LHP and he’s now gone. If Romy is out for a long time, that’s a .978 OPS against LHP that will be lost. Without them the team will really struggle against LHP this year. Contreras is the only one who hits LHP really well.
If they were to add offense at the deadline, they need to aim higher than Bohm. He’s a career 104 OPS+ hitter coming off an 11 HR season. I’d rather they just keep Mayer/Durbin than have Bohm replace one of them.
Why do the Yankees seemingly over value their prospects?
Seemingly?
hayzee – Do they really though? They generally avoid longterm contracts with them, which is not a bad idea considering how they sometimes end up being disastrous.
Dominguez had a 101 OPS+ in his age 22 season. He’s only going to get better.
I have to agree also, HR’s are nice but RBI’s are more important and can pick up the slack. And this team has had a sever problem picking up the RBIs slack since 2018, and constantly fail to address it.
Bad – I agree. Since Raffy left, the clutch hitting somewhat disappeared. It’s the production with RISP that was severely lacking, as RBI are heavily dependent on baserunners.
Yoshida needs to get away from “Mr Platoon” in order to get an actual full season to judge his true value as a Player in MLB versus Japan.
Again… call Mr. Bloom in St Louis and include 12 Million in the deal for LHP Romero.
I honestly wonder if the Henry is reluctant to pay for yoshida to leave town based on the somewhat different situation, but potentially same outcome as David Price.
No front offices were expected a covid shortened season with players opting out and all the rest. So, Boston used up significant player capital from Mookie, to move some of Price’s remaining dollars.
Then, a big chunk of that ‘benefit’ was made moot by covid and the opt out.
Well, theres expected to be a lockout in 27. And odds are fair that playing time will be impacted.
So, why expend prospect or other capital on yoshida getting moved out of town, when half his remaining deal is threatened by 2027?
Im beginning to think they figure they’ve health with the logjam this far, whats one more season?
Maybe even a cancelled season? Or, prorated salaries? All things you dont want to be on the hook for salary relief in absolute terms regarding if theres proration, and, you don’t want to have paid prospect or player capital to move im in thise circumstances either