Tablesetters: A Baseball Podcast

Welcome to Tablesetters Episode 97. This week’s show looks back on a 2025 MLB Trade Deadline that completely reshaped the landscape, with contenders making aggressive moves and several teams signaling a shift toward the future.

Before we get started, a big thank you to everyone who joined us for our first live broadcast on Twitter and YouTube. Your comments and energy made it a memorable debut, and we’re looking forward to bringing more live coverage as the season continues.

We start with the San Diego Padres, who were among the busiest teams at the deadline. They added Mason Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics, then followed up with Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano to bring more left-handed power and defensive versatility, while Nestor Cortes joined their rotation. The package heading to Oakland was headlined by top prospect Leo De Vries, signaling that San Diego is all-in for the stretch run.

The New York Yankees built out one of the deepest bullpens in baseball, adding Jake Bird, David Bednar, and Camilo Doval, along with Jose Caballero to give their bench more speed and flexibility.

The National League East became a true arms race. The Mets bolstered their bullpen with Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley and addressed center field with Cedric Mullins, while the Phillies countered by landing Jhoan Duran from the Twins to lock down the ninth inning.

Around the league, the Astros brought Carlos Correa back to Houston, the Mariners reunited with Eugenio Suárez, and the Cubs, Reds, Rays, Rangers, Tigers, Red Sox, and Royals all made moves to position themselves for the next two months in different ways. Meanwhile, the Twins leaned fully into selling, parting with multiple core pieces and signaling a new phase for the franchise.

All of this leads into what could be a fascinating finish to the season, capped off by the inaugural Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway, where the Braves and Reds will play in front of a potential record-setting regular-season crowd.

Follow us for more trade deadline reactions and live coverage on Instagram and X @TablesettersPod, and if you enjoy the show, make sure to like, subscribe, and share. This is why late July baseball always delivers something worth talking about.