On The Wire - December delivers a full fantasy baseball news dump, and Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting break it all down. From multi-team trades and bullpen shakeups to key free-agent signings and overseas imports, this episode covers how recent MLB transactions are already reshaping draft boards across redraft, dynasty, and draft-and-hold formats. The guys analyze playing-time impacts, role clarity, and where fantasy managers should be adjusting valuations heading into 2026 drafts.
00:00 – Intro & December News Dump Setup
Show opening, winter meetings energy, framing the episode around a heavy December transaction cycle.
03:30 – Three-Team Trade: Rays / Pirates / Astros
Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh, Jake Mangum impact, Mike Burrows to Houston, and fantasy fallout for all three teams.
10:15 – Houston Rotation Outlook
Mike Burrows pitch-mix changes, Spencer Arrighetti speculation, and spring training rotation battles.
15:45 – Orioles Acquire Shane Baz
Baltimore’s rotation depth, Baz’s health, workload expectations, and ADP movement.
20:45 – Royals Trade for Isaac Collins
Everyday playing time potential, Royals outfield construction, Jonathan India and Michael Massey discussion.
26:15 – Royals Bullpen: Matt Strahm Deal
Kansas City bullpen roles, Phillies backfilling, and fantasy relevance of late-inning arms.
30:30 – Phillies Sign Brad Keller & Adolis García
Keller’s bullpen role, Garcia’s everyday outfield opportunity, and lineup fit in Philadelphia.
35:45 – Diamondbacks Bring Back Merrill Kelly
Arizona’s competitive window, rotation stability, and what this says about the team’s direction.
40:30 – Twins Sign Josh Bell
Platoon expectations, lineup slot, power output, and draft value.
44:15 – Padres Re-Sign Michael King & Add Sung-Moon Song
Michael King’s contract structure, injury trust level, and Song’s KBO-to-MLB fantasy upside.
50:00 – Yu Darvish Injury Update
Concerns over Darvish’s future and draft board implications.
52:15 – Guardians Bullpen Additions
Sean Armstrong, Justin Bruihl, and bullpen hierarchy behind Emmanuel Clase.
55:00 – Angels Reclamation Projects (Romano & Pomeranz)
Closer speculation, trade value, and Angels bullpen volatility.
58:45 – Cubs Minor Moves
Tyler Austin major-league deal and bullpen depth notes.
1:00:30 – Mets Sign Luke Weaver
Setup role behind Devin Williams, ratio help, and speculative saves value.
1:03:45 – Rangers Sign Danny Jansen & Bullpen Shuffle
Catcher playing time expectations, save uncertainty, and Texas bullpen dart throws.
1:08:15 – Giants Sign Adrian Houser
Park effects, innings potential, and late-round SP appeal.
1:10:30 – Nationals Add Foster Griffin
NPB returnee outlook, rotation lottery ticket discussion.
1:12:45 – Braves Re-Sign Ha-Seong Kim
Stolen bases, batting average rebound hopes, and Atlanta infield depth.
1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts & Draft Strategy Takeaways
Playing-time vs. projection discussion and final fantasy draft notes.
Join Our Discord & Support The Show: PL+ | PL Pro - Get 15% off Yearly with code PODCAST
Proud member of the Pitcher List Fantasy Baseball Podcast Network
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
More description
On The Wire - December delivers a full fantasy baseball news dump, and Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting break it all down. From multi-team trades and bullpen shakeups to key free-agent signings and overseas imports, this episode covers how recent MLB transactions are already reshaping draft boards across redraft, dynasty, and draft-and-hold formats. The guys analyze playing-time impacts, role clarity, and where fantasy managers should be adjusting valuations heading into 2026 drafts.
00:00 – Intro & December News Dump Setup
Show opening, winter meetings energy, framing the episode around a heavy December transaction cycle.
03:30 – Three-Team Trade: Rays / Pirates / Astros
Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh, Jake Mangum impact, Mike Burrows to Houston, and fantasy fallout for all three teams.
10:15 – Houston Rotation Outlook
Mike Burrows pitch-mix changes, Spencer Arrighetti speculation, and spring training rotation battles.
15:45 – Orioles Acquire Shane Baz
Baltimore’s rotation depth, Baz’s health, workload expectations, and ADP movement.
20:45 – Royals Trade for Isaac Collins
Everyday playing time potential, Royals outfield construction, Jonathan India and Michael Massey discussion.
26:15 – Royals Bullpen: Matt Strahm Deal
Kansas City bullpen roles, Phillies backfilling, and fantasy relevance of late-inning arms.
30:30 – Phillies Sign Brad Keller & Adolis García
Keller’s bullpen role, Garcia’s everyday outfield opportunity, and lineup fit in Philadelphia.
35:45 – Diamondbacks Bring Back Merrill Kelly
Arizona’s competitive window, rotation stability, and what this says about the team’s direction.
40:30 – Twins Sign Josh Bell
Platoon expectations, lineup slot, power output, and draft value.
44:15 – Padres Re-Sign Michael King & Add Sung-Moon Song
Michael King’s contract structure, injury trust level, and Song’s KBO-to-MLB fantasy upside.
50:00 – Yu Darvish Injury Update
Concerns over Darvish’s future and draft board implications.
52:15 – Guardians Bullpen Additions
Sean Armstrong, Justin Bruihl, and bullpen hierarchy behind Emmanuel Clase.
55:00 – Angels Reclamation Projects (Romano & Pomeranz)
Closer speculation, trade value, and Angels bullpen volatility.
58:45 – Cubs Minor Moves
Tyler Austin major-league deal and bullpen depth notes.
1:00:30 – Mets Sign Luke Weaver
Setup role behind Devin Williams, ratio help, and speculative saves value.
1:03:45 – Rangers Sign Danny Jansen & Bullpen Shuffle
Catcher playing time expectations, save uncertainty, and Texas bullpen dart throws.
1:08:15 – Giants Sign Adrian Houser
Park effects, innings potential, and late-round SP appeal.
1:10:30 – Nationals Add Foster Griffin
NPB returnee outlook, rotation lottery ticket discussion.
1:12:45 – Braves Re-Sign Ha-Seong Kim
Stolen bases, batting average rebound hopes, and Atlanta infield depth.
1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts & Draft Strategy Takeaways
Playing-time vs. projection discussion and final fantasy draft notes.
Join Our Discord & Support The Show: PL+ | PL Pro - Get 15% off Yearly with code PODCAST
Proud member of the Pitcher List Fantasy Baseball Podcast Network
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
