MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

With the Winter Meetings now in the rearview mirror, it was fitting that the week's first Schwarbomb was, well, Kyle Schwarber reupping with the Phillies, kickstarting a spate of moves. That was one of Mark Feinsand's 4 big takeaways from Orlando. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Alonso is the latest Mets stalwart to head elsewhere, agreeing to a 5-year, $155 million deal with the Orioles, bringing much-needed thump to Baltimore's lineup. Will the Mets now make a run at some of the top free agents left? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday at the Winter Meetings was electric! There were two blockbuster free-agent signings: Kyle Schwarber returned to the Phils & Edwin Díaz left the Mets for the Dodgers. There also were trades, Team USA news & the White Sox won the Draft Lottery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Alonso is expected at the Winter Meetings today to meet with clubs in person, and Kyle Schwarber is also in high demand as rumors swirled about the top free-agent sluggers on the market during the first day in Orlando. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Kent earned election into the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 per voting by the Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee. Candidates needed to receive 12 votes on ballots cast by the 16-member committee to earn election and Kent received 14. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six teams head into 2026 riding at least four straight seasons without a winning record. Yet as Will Leitch notes, there is optimism for the A's, Angels, Nationals, Pirates, Rockies and White Sox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that Devin Williams is off the board and officially a Met, the market is heating up for Pete Fairbanks, with the Marlins and Tigers checking in on the reliever. Also, the door could be open -- even if just slightly -- for a Freddy Peralta trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The signing of Devin Williams doesn't mean the Mets have moved on from Edwin Díaz. But they aren't alone, with many top teams interested in the free-agent closer. It's all part of a fast-developing reliever market in advance of the Winter Meetings. Intro: 0:00-0:51 Act 1: 0:51-4:18 (The Mets Reliever Debacle) Act 2: 4:36-7:30 (What Relievers are Still on the Market) Act 3: 7:30-9:32 (News Around the League) Closing: 9:32-9:47 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After seeing their playoff runs fall short of a World Series title, these clubs should be motivated to make some major moves this winter. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince outlines their biggest needs and reacts to the Mets adding Devin Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Leitch has you covered with the moves you missed over the Thanksgiving break, including one of the premier starting pitchers coming off the board. Then it’s time to check in on the free agency rumor mill, focusing in on the biggest bats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boston acquired 3-time All-Star righty Sonny Gray from St. Louis for righty Richard Fitts and lefty prospect Brandon Clarke, bolstering an already solid rotation. Also, on Turkey Day eve we look back at what we're thankful for from the '25 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The offseason's first major deal will no doubt have an effect on many teams and players. For instance, does this mean the Mets pursue outfielders Kyle Tucker and/or Cody Bellinger? And what about the Rangers with their increased salary flexibility? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first major deal of the offseason went down last night as the Mets dealt outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien. Also, we look at the best players made available in the wake of the non-tender deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cody Bellinger back with the Dodgers? Michael King returning to the Bronx? How about Eugenio Suárez taking his slugging powers to Cincy for a second go-round? Really, who wouldn't want to see these players and teams meet up again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Orioles, who picked up outfielder Taylor Ward in a deal with the Angels for righty Grayson Rodriguez, now are in the market for another frontline starter. Also, could the Pirates be eyeing one of the top free-agent bats available? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a busy day around baseball as Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga was among four players accepting qualifying offers to remain with their current teams, the Orioles and Angels pulled off an intriguing trade and clubs set their 40-man rosters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mariners are bringing Josh Naylor back, a move that will have ripple effects for Pete Alonso and the rest of the first base market. Plus, the BBWAA's 2026 Hall of Fame ballot has 12 new names joining a group of 15 holdovers vying for induction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have combined to win seven Most Valuable Player Awards. We get it, they've been dominant. But is 2026 going to be the year somebody else -- Cal Raleigh? Juan Soto? -- snags the MVP hardware? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was a unanimous winner for his third straight Most Valuable Player Award, while Aaron Judge, the rare batting champ with 50-plus home runs, edged Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to win his second consecutive AL MVP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no shortage of electric arms in baseball, but Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes left no doubt among voters that they were the top pitchers in their respective leagues, winning their Cy Young races easily by turning in two of the best seasons we've seen in a while. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the 1st time, both Managers of the Year have repeated - the Guardians' Stephen Vogt & the Brewers' Pat Murphy. Elsewhere, we revisit some of the year's best manager ejections and word from the GM Meetings is that this one team might be very busy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A's first baseman Nick Kurtz was unanimously selected as the AL Rookie of the Year and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was a runaway winner in the NL to open the 2025 BBWAA award announcements, which continue tonight with the Managers of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munetaka Murakami clubbed 56 homers in 2022 to break Sadaharu Oh’s 58-year-old, single-season NPB record. He was posted by the Yakult Swallows last week to open a negotiating window with all MLB clubs till Dec. 22. Which teams are the top contenders? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Alonso was one of five first-time winners of an NL Silver Slugger Award, given to the top offensive player at each position. AL winners will be announced tonight. Also, we take a look at a half dozen clubs to keep your eyes on this offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up first, what will the Blue Jays do? On the heels of World Series heartbreak, they already got good news with Shane Bieber's decision to return. Elsewhere, big Japanese stars are heading to MLB, plus more on the Padres, Kyle Schwarber & Edwin Díaz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Kyle Tucker to Dylan Cease, MLB.com's Matt Monagan breaks down the top 10 free agents of this class and wonders where they might land this winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The BBWAA unveiled the MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year finalists, with the winners to be announced next week. Among the candidates were Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who were part of the Dodgers' victory parade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. earned his second straight Gold Glove and was joined by teammate Maikel Garcia, who took the honors at third base. On the NL side, 23-year-old shortstop Masyn Winn became the youngest Cardinals player to win the award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miguel Rojas hit a stunning game-tying homer in the ninth, Will Smith delivered a go-ahead shot in the 11th and Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto closed it out in relief as the Dodgers outlasted the Blue Jays to win the World Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2025 MLB season will finish in November. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was again outstanding, slumping Mookie Betts delivered the key hit & the Dodgers' 3-1 win over the Blue Jays ended with an incredible lineout double play. World Series Game 7 is tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re either finishing this off in Game 6 or in store for a winner-take-all tilt Saturday. The Dodgers will need another gem from Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the latter to happen. For the former and third straight Jays win? Keep doing what they're doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A rookie with an unconventional pitching angle and a devastating splitter has put Toronto on the cusp of a Fall Classic triumph, as Trey Yesavage carved up the Dodgers to the tune of 12 K's and back-to-back homers in the first set the tone in Game 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A marathon Game 3 didn't slow down Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who took Shohei Ohtani deep to help Toronto even the World Series at 2-2. His two-run blast gave the Blue Jays the lead in the 3rd and they erupted for four in the 7th to pull away with a much-needed win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Shohei Ohtani homered twice and reached base nine times, Clayton Kershaw pitched out of an extra-inning jam and 19 different pitchers took the hill, Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run in the 18th inning for a 2-1 lead in the World Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Scherzer struggled down the stretch. But in the ALCS, he turned back the clock against the Mariners. The Blue Jays need that again in a huge way tonight in L.A. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are still waiting for their "Big 3" to click at the plate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yoshinobu Yamamoto became the first pitcher with back-to-back postseason complete games in 24 years, and homers by Will Smith and Max Muncy in the seventh inning put the Dodgers ahead for good against the Blue Jays in Game 2 of the Fall Classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Early on, it looked like the Dodgers would use a familiar postseason plan in the Fall Classic opener. The Jays had other ideas, though, erupting with a nine-run sixth -- highlighted by pinch-hitter Addison Barger's grand slam -- in a Game 1 rout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been 32 years since the Jays last made it to the World Series, and fans in Toronto will no doubt make their presence felt in deafening fashion. Looking to silence the Jays in Game 1 is Blake Snell, who's been nearly unhittable for the Dodgers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers were in the Series last year. But someone on the Jays, coach Don Mattingly -- aka Donnie Baseball -- has never been going back about 4 decades. That's one of many cool storylines. Elsewhere, there's been an unprecedented managerial hire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did this Toronto team defy expectations to reach its first Fall Classic since 1993? Stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer stepped up, sure, but unlikely heroes like Ernie Clement and Trey Yesavage played a big part too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Down by two runs in the seventh inning of ALCS Game 7, George Springer delivered a three-run homer as the Blue Jays edged the Mariners to earn their first trip to the World Series since winning back-to-back titles in 1992 and '93. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A trip to the World Series comes down to an ALCS Game 7 tonight in Toronto after rookie starter Trey Yesavage pitched another gem and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slugged his sixth home run of the postseason to lead the Blue Jays past the Mariners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Scherzer turned in a vintage performance as the Blue Jays won their second straight game over the Mariners, and the Dodgers are one win from a return trip to the World Series after another dominant pitching performance vs. the Brewers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facing a raucous crowd and the threat of a 3-0 ALCS deficit, the Blue Jays silenced Seattle, walloping five homers in a rout of the Mariners. They play Game 4 tonight, while the Dodgers try to take a commanding 3-0 NLCS lead over the Brewers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up a HR on the 1st pitch he threw and that was it. MLB's 1st postseason complete game in 8 years gave the Dodgers a 5-1 win and a 2-0 NLCS lead over the Brewers. Tonight, the Mariners try for a 3-0 ALCS edge on the Blue Jays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers' win over the Brewers in NLCS Game 1 had everything from a Blake Snell gem to one of the most bizarre double plays you will ever see, while the Mariners are firmly in control in the ALCS after routing the Blue Jays for a 2-0 series lead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A stellar outing by Bryce Miller, a dinger by the Big Dumper and a couple more clutch hits by Jorge Polanco propelled Seattle in the ALCS opener. What will Game 2 have in store today? Plus, here's what to watch for as the NLCS begins in Milwaukee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For only the second time a playoff series was clinched on a walk-off error, as an errant throw plated the winning run in the Dodgers' win over the Phillies. The other NLDS was slightly less dramatic, as the Cubs topped the Brewers to set up a Game 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There were 4 elimination games yesterday. Only 1 team was eliminated -- the Yankees, vanquished by Vlad Guerrero Jr. & the Blue Jays. Elsewhere, Kyle Schwarber connected twice as the Phils beat the Dodgers, while the Tigers & Cubs also stayed alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Judge's first homer of the postseason swung the momentum of Game 3 and saved the Yankees' season ... for now. In Detroit, Seattle got off to a hot start and never looked back as it took a 2-1 series lead. Plus, here's what to watch for as all four Division Series continue today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices