The latest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at this link to listen, if you don’t use Spotify or Apple for podcasts.

This week, host Darragh McDonald is joined by Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors to discuss…

• The MLBPA’s opening CBA proposal (1:50)
• MLB’s proposal, which pushes for a hard cap/floor system (10:10)
• Is it surprising that the owners are aligned when they have different priorities? (20:35)
• Will competitive balance picks come up later in the negotiations? (28:55)
• Competitive balance proposals often come from limiting player agency (31:45)
• Many fans dislike Rob Manfred but are aligned with him on wanting a cap (36:35)
• How should the MLBPA think about the public relations battle? (40:00)
• Is the player-fan relationship different in the age of the internet? (47:10)
• Can any optimism be taken from the fact that both sides addressed the economic imbalances of the game? (51:00)
• We don’t know what Manfred thinks about his legacy (55:05)
• The looming expiration of many broadcast deals after 2028 (56:15)
• Is the character of the ownership group is different than previous eras? (1:04:55)

Check out our past episodes!

• Gage Jump, Tigers Trade Speculation, And The Twins’ Roster Shuffle – listen here
• Colt Emerson Debuts, Blue Jays’ Rotation Issues, And What To Make Of The Mets And Astros – listen here
• Patrick Bailey To Cleveland, The Struggling Astros, And Arizona’s Outfield Changes – listen here

The podcast intro and outro song “So Long” is provided courtesy of the band Showoff.  Check out their Facebook page here!

Photo courtesy of Kirby Lee, Imagn Images