A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- MLB Trade Rumors Podcast returned from the holidays with host Jeff Todd discussing the Padres’ busy offseason with MLB.com’s Corey Brock. Jeff also offered his take on the makeover the NL West has undergone. A new edition of MLB Trade Rumors Podcast will be dropped every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- Rays President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman told reporters, including Charlie Wilmoth, the decision to trade Ben Zobrist was not easy and was dictated by the reality of a team with limited resources being forced to maximize their assets. “This has been a difficult transaction for all of us to stomach. Ben has been a central figure in the transformation of the organization. These trades are difficult, but they’re a necessary part of how we operate. In an ideal world, we don’t make these kinds of trades, but we don’t have the luxury to do that.“
- Charlie opines the Orioles might be better off going to year-to-year through the arbitration process with Chris Tillman rather than extending the right-hander.
- Zach Links compiled the latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
