MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has a potentially serious right elbow injury and Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez could miss 2 months with a broken hand. Will Leitch has all the details. Also, Leitch & Mike Petriello held their annual World Series team draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rosters are out for MLB's second annual Spring Breakout, where top prospects from all 30 clubs will compete in a 4-day, 16-game event from March 13-16. MLB.com's Will Leitch highlights the biggest names to watch and how to tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He's the no-doubt No. 1 prospect in all of baseball, so it should surprise nobody that Roki Sasaki was electric in his first Cactus League start with the Dodgers. What makes the 23-year-old righty so special, though? Time for a deep dive to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who's the leading HR hitter this spring? Aaron Judge? Good guess. But no. You'll want to hear the story of Vinny Capra. Also, get this: In a World Baseball Classic qualifier, Manny Ramirez's son batted vs. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's son. Really. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB Pipeline is unveiling its Top 30 prospect lists this week, so we're looking at some of the future stars turning heads in camp. Plus, the Yanks face an early rotation test as reigning AL ROY Luis Gil (lat strain) will be shut down for six weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shohei Ohtani was 2-for-2 pulling one over on Dave Roberts. But his manager struck back, filling the star's car with ball-pit balls. The, uh, ball is now in Ohtani's corner. Also, the Yanks are in wait mode as Luis Gil deals with shoulder discomfort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chances are, your ride-or-die team won't win the World Series this season. Sorry, but that's just the way it goes. The good news? We have a backup plan for you. Let's whittle down the field and find the stand-in club you can hitch your bandwagon to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a home run by the top pick in the 2024 Draft, to Elly De La Cruz doing Elly De La Cruz things, all topped by a smashing debut from the Mets’ newest slugger, Spring Training has given us many massive moments to take in this month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Twins' Royce Lewis signs an autograph for a kid, he then asks for THEIR autograph in return. The kids are stunned! Justin Verlander just turned 42 and the Giants pranked him with a wheelchair. Plus Bryce Harper got a Phanatic tattoo! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Spring Training in full swing, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince lists his favorite Cactus League and Grapefruit League stadiums, then breaks down the clubs that made the biggest positional upgrades in the offseason Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Training got rolling in a big way, with Juan Soto and Alex Bregman homering in their first games with new clubs. But maybe the biggest news out of camps? The Yanks amending their longstanding facial hair policy to allow 'well-groomed beards.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Training started FOR REAL yesterday as the Cubs and Dodgers – set to meet next month at the Tokyo Series – played the first Cactus League contest of ‘25. During the game, the new ABS system got its first tests as two challenges took place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs and Dodgers square off in the first Spring Training game in Arizona today as they prepare for the Tokyo Series. Keep an eye on the automated ball-strike challenge system, which is debuting in a trial run this spring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a podcast sure to agree with you, Vlad Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays can't reach a contract extension, the Mets and Yanks have a difference of opinion and third base for the Red Sox really is a hot corner. Plus World Baseball Classic qualifiers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We go around the league to look at some players who have something to prove during Spring Training, and we check in on Mike Trout and Rafael Devers about the possibility they might try out different positions this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first full week of camp is underway, so it's time to focus on the big storylines. With Soto in the fold, just how good are the Mets? Is Ohtani on track to face live hitters soon? Will Vlad Jr. get an extension? And ... there's a game Thursday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Alex Bregman headed to the Red Sox, we turn our focus to the five teams that were left on the outside looking in. First and foremost, will the deal throw a wrench in the Cardinals' third base plans? We'll see. Also, we preview the 2025 Phillies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The biggest remaining free agent is off the market as Alex Bregman appears headed to the Red Sox on a three-year, $120 million deal, sources tell MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. We also take an in-depth look at what should be an improved Nationals team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman reportedly has multiyear offers from three teams -- the Cubs, Red Sox and Tigers -- and "likely" will decide soon. We break it all down. Then, continuing to preview the NL East this week, we focus on the Mets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look back at some of the most surprising transactions of the offseason, including the D-backs landing top free-agent starter Corbin Burnes and the Cubs trading for Kyle Tucker, and we continue our team-by-team preview series with the Marlins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With pitchers and catchers reporting to camp this week it’s time to focus on the arms we look forward to watching most in Spring Training, led by Roki Sasaki, of course. Also, our tour around the Majors leads us to Atlanta for a look at the Braves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are players so exciting that when they’re at the plate, you don’t dare look away. Let’s take a look at one such player in each division. Elly De La Cruz certainly qualifies here, too, paving the way for an in-depth look at the Reds, as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Alonso is back in the Big Apple! MLB.com's Mandy Bell breaks down his new deal with the Mets, then shares the top takeaways from PECOTA's 2025 standings projections and previews the Pirates with some insight from beat writer Alex Stumpf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our continuing coverage of Black History Month, we recount the remarkable story of a 12-year-old Black boy named Joe Reliford playing pro ball in the Deep South in the 1950s. Also, this week's NL Central preview continues with the Cubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive into the latest projections to identify 10 players who could put together record-breaking performances this upcoming season, and our preview series continues with a look at the Brewers as they attempt to defend their NL Central title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend’s big NBA trade got us thinking. What deals have created huge waves in the baseball world? Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees immediately comes to mind. Also, sources tell MLB.com that Jack Flaherty is set to return to the Tigers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After ending a postseason drought in '22, Seattle looked ready to contend for seasons to come. But the M's haven't been back to the playoffs since. They're among a handful of teams desperate to win. Also, a look at a much-improved Rockies squad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The reliever market heated up in a big way Wednesday, with several pitchers agreeing to terms with new teams. MLB.com's Mandy Bell gets you up to speed, then is joined by Padres beat reporter AJ Cassavell to see what's in store in San Diego in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rays IF Junior Caminero clobbered a 454-foot, go-ahead homer in Game 7 of the Dominican Winter League finals and nearly broke the internet with his ensuing celebration. MLB.com's Matt Monagan relives the iconic moment, then previews the 2025 Giants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our preview series continues with a look at the Dodgers and whether or not they are truly unstoppable, and we catch up on the latest offseason chatter, including some intriguing trade rumors that might be slowing down the free-agent market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Cohen expressed his frustrations over negotiations with free agent Pete Alonso, calling them “exhausting” and hinting it might be time for the Mets to move on. Also, MLB Pipeline unveiled its Top 100 prospects list with Roki Sasaki at No. 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB.com's Will Leitch highlights one rivalry from each division that you won't want to miss this season, then previews the 2025 Yankees as we continue our team-by-team offseason breakdowns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring Training is near, but Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman remain unsigned. MLB.com's Mandy Bell discusses potential landing spots for the star sluggers, plus looks ahead to the 2025 Red Sox as we continue our team-by-team offseason breakdowns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ichiro Suzuki & CC Sabathia were elected to the Hall of Fame in their 1st year of eligibility, with the Japanese star coming one vote shy of a unanimous pick. Billy Wagner also got in, in his final year on the ballot. Plus, we preview the 2025 Rays Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All-Star slugger Anthony Santander is staying in the AL East, agreeing to a 5-year deal with the Blue Jays. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince analyzes the move and previews the 2025 Hall of Fame results, which will be revealed at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Word broke Friday that the Dodgers had landed the most coveted international free agent, Japan's Roki Sasaki. Two days later, L.A. struck again, inking the top FA reliever in Tanner Scott. Plus, we'll preview the Blue Jays and check in on the Cards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re introducing you to History This Week, a HISTORY Channel original podcast. Learn about Masanori Murakami, a pitcher who became the first player to successfully make the jump from Japan to MLB – decades before Hideo Nomo, Ichiro Suzuki, Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki and other influential Japanese baseball stars did the same. To stay updated: historythisweekpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the baseball world mourns the passing of broadcasting legend Bob Uecker, it also allows us to look back at his amazing life and the joy and humor he brought to us all, while in the booth and on TV and the silver screen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The international signing period is underway and is about much more than Roki Sasaki, though the Japanese righty is clearly the headliner. In this episode we spell out how the whole thing works. Also, we take a look at Twins' outlook for 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the international signing periods opens, we're down to 3 teams in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes. We look at what he would mean for each club. We'll then preview the up-and-coming Tigers, looking to take the next step after last year's playoff berth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mariners, Braves and Padres are among the teams that have largely been on the sidelines this offseason, but that could change in a hurry with Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki and other free agents yet to choose their next home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blue Jays have found their closer, signing Jeff Hoffman to a 3-year, $33 million contract. Who will be the next reliever to come off the board? Perhaps Tommy Kahnle? And our team-by-team breakdown takes us to Cleveland for a look at the Guards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers are No. 1 in our first Power Rankings of 2025. Of course. But there are some surprises after that as we sort through all 30 teams deep into the Hot Stove season. Also, we finish week one of our outlook series with a look at the Rangers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A mystery team is reportedly involved in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes. Who might it be? MLB.com's Mandy Bell outlines the clubs that fit the bill, plus takes a deep dive into the Mariners as we continue our team-by-team offseason breakdowns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Verlander will make at least one more stop before likely heading to Cooperstown. The 41-year-old right-hander is joining the Giants on a one-year deal (source). We then look in on the reliever market, where many arms remain available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's attempt to answer where Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki will call home for his MLB debut, who will lock up the top remaining hitters, whether we will get another blockbuster trade and when the market will heat up for free-agent relievers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While all eyes are on international star Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers picked up a different top player from overseas by signing Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim. Elsewhere, the O's continued to revamp their rotation with veteran righty Charlie Morton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's catch up on some of the deals you might have missed: Corbin Burnes joined the D-backs, Teoscar Hernández re-signed with the Dodgers and Gleyber Torres landed with the Tigers. But some big free-agent names are still seeking contracts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Christmas Day, would have been Rickey Henderson's 66th birthday. But he passed just days ago. So in our last podcast of the year before a short break, we devote its entirety to the exploits of one of the greatest players in MLB history. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A pre-holiday flurry of signings began with a pair of arms coming off the board in Sean Manaea and World Series hero Walker Buehler. There are still plenty of big-name free agents available and the New Year should provide even more answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices