Tablesetters: A Baseball Podcast

Welcome back to Tablesetters for Episode 95 — and joining us once again is a fan favorite from Episode 55: Matt Devine of Devine Sports Gospel. Known for his sharp takes, infectious humor, and deep pulse on Padres baseball, Matt returns just in time for one of the most pivotal moments of the season: the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline.

We begin where San Diego fans want us to: What is A.J. Preller cooking? With the Padres sitting on the edge of contention, Matt helps us break down whether Preller is ready to go all-in, or if we’re staring at a rare hybrid approach. We get into potential trade targets like Dylan Cease, Michael King, and even some left-field and catching upgrades — from big splashes to bargain bats.

From there, we widen the lens across the league:
– Could the D-backs become surprise sellers?
– What’s next for the Orioles?
– Who is ready to outbid the market for Eugenio Suárez?
– Will contenders like the Mariners, Yankees, and Phillies go aggressive or stay calculated?

And just as the October picture starts to take shape, we unpack a few major stories from around the league:

⚾ Jacob Misiorowski’s innings management — Milwaukee’s flamethrower might be the most electric rookie in baseball, but his workload is clearly under tight restriction. We break down what that means for the Brewers' October blueprint.

⚾ Rafael Devers at first base? It finally happened — just not in a Red Sox uniform. His first game in the field for the Giants came in the midst of a losing streak, but it may have sparked a turnaround in San Francisco. We explore the implications for both the Giants and Boston’s long-term handling of Devers.

We also put Devin through a round of Buy or Sell, where we debate:
– Will Cal Raleigh break the Mariners’ single-season HR record?
– And are Mason Miller and Emmanuel Clase really off the board — or just expensive?

We also have a great new addition, it’s time for a brand-new edition of Blind Rankings — where Devin and Matt team up to rank some of the greatest Trade Deadline Rentals in modern MLB history. From Céspedes’ 2015 magic and “Mannywood” in LA, we reflect on the short-term heroes who left a lasting legacy.

Subscribe, rate, and review Tablesetters, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and X @TablesettersPod for exclusive content, instant reactions, and everything you need to ride out this year’s Trade Deadline chaos.