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 and Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors to discuss…
- The Mariners signing an extension with Colt Emerson (1:20)
- The Brewers agreeing to an extension with Cooper Pratt (19:05)
- The Orioles signing an extension with Shane Baz (28:40)
- The Cubs signing extensions with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner (38:00)
- Free agents coming from Japan getting less than expected this offseason (53:35)
- The Tarik Skubal arbitration decision potentially being a paradigm shift (59:15)
- The economics of the game with the collective bargaining agreement expiring in less than a year (1:05:50)
- Did the short-term deals for Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette signal a new trend? (1:22:45)
- Dealing with high-spending clubs with draft pick penalties instead of financial penalties (1:31:00)
- Can the Brewers continue to win after trading away some valuable guys? (1:38:10)
- The exciting crop of 2026 rookies (1:41:15)
- Can the Pirates push into contention in a crowded NL Central? (1:43:40)
- The excitement around the introduction of the ABS system (1:44:50)
Check out our past episodes!
- The PCA and Sanchez Extensions, And Prospect Promotions And Reassignments – listen here
- Banged-Up Reds And Braves, Kevin McGonigle, And Spring Breakouts – listen here
- Jesús Luzardo’s Extension, Atlanta’s Depth, And Zack Littell – 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 Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images
wow, I figure Emerson would get about 27-30m up and thru his arb years. This contract will pay him $59 1st 6 years
I find it interesting that you guys consider teams lack of spending on unproven talent like Murakami could because of a potential lockout right after spending an hour discussing teams signing unproven minor leaguers to record contracts. Maybe you’re right but the reason deals seem to contradict that reasoning to me.
It’s been said many times that the reason teams go to arbitration over relatively small $ is because arb deals have far reaching effects, then it would make sense that Skubal’s deal would also have further reaching impact. Even if it’s more of a trickle down effect.
The challenge system has been a lot more interesting than many expected. Would love to see each team get 3 incorrect challenges at least and also 2 seconds seems too quick of a time limit. Would an extra 5 seconds really have a negative impact? Giving these guys 5 seconds to decide would add how much time to games? The pitch clock did a good job of speeding up the action and I don’t think an extra 3 seconds per challenge would reverse that in any meaningful way.
Thanks for the 2 hour podcast, I enjoy the longer episodes
I did enjoy your discussion on Skubal and his arbitration hearing. But I think you missed the point. Skubal and Bora$$ did this specifically to test the new 5 year rule in the CBA. They never negotiated with the Tigers prior to filing and rejected negotiations after filing. This was always going to arbitration specifically to test that new 5 year rule.
He is a bit of a unicorn, yes, but the win for him is going to have a huge impact on future arbitration hearings. Might not increase what Skenes gets until he hits his 5th year but absolutely he will exceed Skubal’s $32M if he remains healthy. But it will also help other 5th year players.