Front Office Changes in Boston and New York, and the New Rays' Stadium Agreement

MLBTR Founder Tim Dierkes joins Darragh McDonald to discuss what led Matt Chapman to take a short-term deal, the Giants penchant for giving out deals with opt outs, Zack Wheeler signing a three-year extension with the Phillies with a big AAV and 
dark horses to sign Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.

Listener email topics include why fans get enjoyment from Scott Boras failing, and whether the "Scott Boras era" free agents signing extremely long-term deals is over.

MLBTR founder Tim Dierkes joins Darragh McDonald to discuss what led Cody Bellinger to take a short-term deal, why the site's prediction for him was so far off and how his contract will affect the other Boras clients still available.

Listener question topics include how players historically perform after signing midway through spring training, if the Phillies' deal with Aaron Nola looks bad in hindsight and early guesses about what Juan Soto could do next offseason.

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss potential landing spots for the big Scott Boras clients left on the free agent market, whether they believe the executives of the Rangers, Giants and Angels who say their teams don't have any more money to spend, the Nationals no longer being for sale and the disappointing offseason they've had, and the implications of Rob Manfred's announcement that this will be his final term as commissioner. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Giants signing Jorge Soler, how he will fit onto their crowded roster, and whether it affects their chances of signing one of the top remaining free agents. Also, the Brewers signing Gary Sanchez, the Pirates signing Yasmani Grandal, and if the Padres will target more low-cost free agents like Jurickson Profar to remain under the competitive balance tax threshold. 

Listener email topics include which team could be a surprise contender this year, if Matt Chapman could settle for a one-year deal and whether Carlos Santana really improves the Twins. 

Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Angelos family selling the Orioles and how it could affect the franchise moving forward, how the Corbin Burnes trade  impacts both the Orioles and Brewers, and the details of the Bobby Witt Jr. extension.

MLBTR's Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Twins trading Jorge Polanco to the Mariners for a four-player package, the Brewers signing Rhys Hoskins, and what the Blue Jays next moves will be after signing Justin Turner and whether they will make any big commitments to Matt Chapman or anyone else. They also talk about the Joc Pederson signing with the Diamondbacks and the Tigers' extension of prospect Colt Keith.

Listener question topics include what's in store for Cody Bellinger and if the Mariners could sign Blake Snell.

MLBTR writer Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss how much money each team gets from their TV broadcasting rights as well as the fluid situation of Diamond Sports Group's bankruptcy and what a deal involving Amazon could mean for the affected teams. On the hot stove, Josh Hader unexpectedly signed with the Astros, Robert Stephenson with the Angels and Aroldis Chapman with the Pirates.

Listener question topics include whether J.D. Martinez or another full-time DH would make sense for the Angels, if the Mets would consider trading Pete Alonso or another infielder and how rare it is for major free agents to still be available late in January. 

MLBTR founder Tim Dierkes joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Cubs landing free agent Shota Imanaga as well as trading for Michael Busch from the Dodgers, the Yankees bolstering their rotation by signing Marcus Stroman and whether that will stop them from pursuing other pitching upgrades, and the Giants signing Jordan Hicks and their plan to transition him into a starter.

Listener question topics include whether the Pirates have given up on their stated plans to add a starting pitcher, why teams allow agents to create false reports to use as leverage, and why MLB has such a strong resistance to a salary cap. 

MLBTR writer Steve Adams joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the Dodgers grabbing more headlines by signing Teoscar Hernandez, and a flurry of moves including the Marniers  sending Robbie Ray to the Giants for Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani, acquiring Luke Raley from the Rays for Jose Caballero and the Rays then trading Andrew Kittredge to St. Louis for Richie Palacios.   

Listener email questions include whether teams deferring significant money is a problem for the sport, how deferrals are not a new concept in baseball and if a salary floor would help competitiveness. 

Anthony Franco joins Darragh McDonald to discuss the state of the Dodgers' rotation after signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record-breaking contract as well as the position of the other teams who vied for the Japanese star. 

They also dig into both sides of the Chris Sale for Vaughn Grissom trade between the Red Sox and Braves as well as Boston's signing of Lucas Giolito, the Royals stocking up of mid-tier free agents to raise their floor, the Blue Jays emphasizing defense with Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Mitch Garver with the Mariners and Frankie Montas with the Reds.