MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

Looks like Mookie Betts will slide down a spot and hit third in the new-look Dodgers batting order. Meanwhile in Nationals camp, outfielder James Wood has prioritized improving his defense this winter. Also, the Brewers extended manager Pat Murphy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mariners star Julio Rodríguez, who is 25, said he felt old after being described as a veteran. Then again, this will be his 6th year and there are a number of burgeoning stars far younger. We highlight Trey Yesavage, Roman Anthony, Nick Kurtz & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a week since pitchers and catchers reported, and there have already been plenty of fun moments from camp, including Shohei Ohtani striking out new superstar teammate Kyle Tucker, and MLB's No. 1 prospect displaying impressive pop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Position battles are the name of the game during Spring Training, but what are the deepest positions overall? We rank them using MLB Network's Top 10 Right Now lists as a guide, and we take a spin around spring camps with the latest news and notes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Kyle Tucker (duh) to Alex Bregman to Framber Valdez, plenty of teams brought in major acquisitions during the winter months. Now that spring has sprung, it's time for a look at which clubs made the biggest splash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Bronx, the pressure to win and win big is always on for the Yankees. But teams like the Tigers, Rangers, Braves, Reds and Padres have plenty on the line this season, too, as we inch closer to Opening Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before every team has even reported for Spring Training, one injury is dominating headlines. It's a broken hamate, a small bone in the hand, and Francisco Lindor, Corbin Carroll & Jackson Holliday are all sidelined. Plus, the latest signings & deals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Verlander is returning where his illustrious career started, signing a one-year deal with Detroit, further fortifying one of the best rotations in baseball. The starting pitching market is getting thin, but rumors are heating up about one prominent arm. Could a deal come together soon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As teams prepare to report for Spring Training, let's look back at some of the most unexpected moments of the Hot Stove season and recap a busy day around the Majors that included a six-player trade and a flurry of free-agent signings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year, a Toronto team that finished dead last in the AL East in 2024 won the AL pennant, and there are plenty of clubs who have the talent to enjoy a similar reversal of fortune this season. Anthony Castrovince breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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