MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

For the first time in the tournament’s history, all four reigning MVP Award and Cy Young Award winners are on rosters with Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Aaron Judge suiting up for the U.S. team, and Shohei Ohtani returning to defending champ Japan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit added another dominant southpaw to its rotation, agreeing to a three-year, $115 million deal with Framber Valdez. Do the Tigers have the best rotation in the AL? Plus, two likely Hall of Fame pitchers are still available. Where might they land? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Reds made it official, signing the top bat left on the free-agent market, Eugenio Suárez. Where does that leave them in the NL Central pecking order, and is the division up for grabs? Also, the D-backs added another bat to a formidable lineup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mariners, Cardinals and Rays pulled off a trade with All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan going to Seattle, switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and two other prospects heading to St. Louis and third baseman Ben Williamson on his way to Tampa Bay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pitchers and catchers report next week, Spring Training games start soon, and both the World Baseball Classic and Spring Breakout are on the horizon. In short, our long winter without baseball is fast coming to an end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're thinking outside the box big time, but come season's end, don't be surprised when teams like the Orioles, A's, D-backs and Pirates are playing in the October spotlight. Remember – you heard it here first! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cal Raleigh was a breakout star in 2025. So was Pete Crow-Armstrong. Who can become the 2026 breakouts? Elly De La Cruz of the Reds, for one. Other candidates include the A's Denzel Clarke, the Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski and the Mets' Nolan McLean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The top two teams were already the two best teams in baseball last season: the Dodgers and Blue Jays. The other five are the Mets, Cubs, Orioles and -- get this -- the Pirates and White Sox. All of them have had great offseasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB Network unveiled its list of the Top 100 Players Right Now, so let's compare it to last year's rankings and look at the five players who made the biggest jump, led by a slugging catcher and a two-time Cy Young winner who returned to form. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Cal Raleigh set to deliver more elite backstop power? Is a record-tying 5th straight season with 35-plus HRs in store for Aaron Judge? We look at who's on track for history in '26. Also, the Guards and José Ramírez appear close on a big extension. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2025, four of the six division winners repeated from the year before, the most since 2018. So, how many will repeat this year? Will Leitch ranks them from most likely to least, and it's no surprise which team comes out at No. 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bombers emerged from their so-far quiet winter and brought back former MVP Cody Bellinger to the Bronx on a five-year deal. And not to be outdone, the Mets added righty Freddy Peralta in a massive trade with the Brewers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cooperstown will open its doors to two more members after dynamic center fielders Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones were elected by the BBWAA to the Hall of Fame, joining Contemporary Era selection Jeff Kent in the Class of 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the number of impact free agents dwindles, teams could be looking more at trades as the offseason winds down. Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta are just two of the names that should keep the rumor mill churning until Spring Training and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After missing out on Kyle Tucker, the Mets pivoted and signed Bo Bichette to a 3-year deal to man third base. Meanwhile, their NL East rivals the Phillies - who had pursued Bichette - brought back catcher J.T. Realmuto on a 3-year deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers have won the past two World Series and are not holding back in their pursuit of a threepeat. They landed the consensus No. 1 free agent available this offseason with a four-year, $240 million deal for Kyle Tucker, a source told MLB.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boston has made another big move to bolster its rotation, landing All-Star left-hander Ranger Suárez on a 5-year, $130 million deal. There are still plenty of stars left on the market, but where will they land? Here's the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cardinals dealt 10-time Gold Glover Nolan Arenado to the D-backs in a deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides. Meanwhile, another Marlins pitcher is on the move, as the Yankees acquired Ryan Weathers for four prospects, bringing much-needed rotation depth (and maybe more?) to the Bronx. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We could see dozens of players taking the field this season someday end up in Cooperstown. MLB.com attempted to pick 40, ranging from sure bets to players on the right track to prospects who haven't even reached the big leagues yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The assumption all along was that Alex Bregman would return to Boston. Instead, he pivoted to Chicago on a stunning 5-year deal. Where does that leave the Red Sox? Do they turn to Bo Bichette? And what does the Bregman move do to the overall market? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which teams have the best chance of winning a World Series over the next 10 years? We picked the top 10, taking into account current rosters and farm systems, and the two-time defending champions are unsurprisingly front and center. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yesterday was Shohei Ohtani Day for all who celebrate. And, since you're a baseball fan, we're guessing you did. We'll explain, plus detail the 5 ways Ohtani became an even more elite pitcher in 2025. Plus, the latest on the Alex Bregman market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle Tucker was the top name when free agency began, and he remains the top name now. He has to sign soon, right? Today, we break down all his options. Plus, Blue Jays fans may have Kazuma Okamoto's daughter to thank for him signing with Toronto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Training is only a month away, but several prized players are still available on the market. Which contending teams need to make a splash the most? Let's break it down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The calendar has flipped to 2026 and plenty of moves were made across MLB since our last episode. From two Japanese stars signing with their new clubs to a blockbuster trade involving a 3-time All-Star, we recap the 10 biggest happenings around the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the dominance of Skenes and Skubal, the power show put on by the Big Dumper, and the do-not-miss excellence of Shohei and the Dodgers, 2025 truly had it all. In our final podcast of the year, we count down the best in baseball in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the 2nd time this month, the Mets have signed a Yankees free-agent reliever. First, Devin Williams. Now, Luke Weaver. The Yanks have been unusually quiet, but maybe not for long. Rumors are swirling around them in both the FA and trade markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's break down the free-agent market and the possible ripple effects as the top five available players find teams, and we recap a busy week of transactions for the Braves along with a flurry of agreements involving pitchers yesterday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Phillies made an intriguing move by adding 2023 postseason hero Adolis García on a one-year contract, and we check in on the largely quiet free-agent market for starting pitchers and some new names popping up in trade rumors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Winter Meetings may have ended, but a busy offseason isn't over. A few more names came off the board, including the active saves leader and a versatile veteran who will handle new duties in Queens. Plus, who are the five biggest free agents left? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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