LIVE Special!: Naylor Signs 5-Year Deal with M's, Orioles Trade Grayson Rodriguez, QO Surprises & Padres Ownership Shake-Up | 118

Welcome to Episode 118 of Tablesetters. The offseason opened with a major move, as Josh Naylor signed a five-year deal with the Seattle Mariners, immediately reshaping the first-base market. His return reinforces Seattle’s lineup core and removes one of the most dependable bats from free agency. We break down why the deal came together quickly, why other teams never seriously entered the mix, and how his signing affects clubs still searching for first-base or middle-of-the-order help.

Midway through the live show, the conversation shifted when news broke that the Orioles traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for Taylor Ward. Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season with arm injuries, but the Angels are betting on the upside he showed before the setbacks. Ward, under control through 2026, gives Baltimore a steady right-handed bat and immediate outfield stability. We break down how the trade fits each team’s broader offseason plan and what it suggests about their priorities moving forward.

The episode also covers one of the most unusual qualifying-offer cycles since the system’s creation. Four players accepted the QO — Trent Grisham, Gleyber Torres, Shota Imanaga, and Brandon Woodruff — marking the first time more than three players have taken it in the same offseason. Grisham’s decision is the most surprising, coming off a breakout 34-homer season in a thin outfield market. His acceptance raises the Yankees’ payroll above the third luxury-tax tier and signals a calculated one-year bet on himself. Torres returns to Detroit looking for a healthier 2026 after playing through a sports hernia. Imanaga chose a reset with Chicago after a late-season downturn, and Woodruff accepted as expected as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.

On the other side, nine players rejected the QO — Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, Bo Bichette, Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suárez, Edwin Díaz, Zac Gallen, and Michael King — a group largely expected to pursue multi-year deals despite draft-pick compensation. Their decisions, combined with Grisham coming off the board, further thin the center-field market and shift clubs toward potential trade options. This QO cycle reflects a winter shaped by uncertainty around future labor conditions, stricter tax penalties, and mixed performances from several major free agents.

In San Diego, the Padres’ ownership evaluation remains ongoing. The Seidler family is formally exploring a potential sale while working through internal disputes and long-term financial considerations. The front office maintains a “business as usual” stance, but the review introduces real questions about payroll strategy and organizational stability heading into 2026.

Award season added another layer to a busy week. Shohei Ohtani earned another unanimous MVP, and Aaron Judge secured his third after a tightly contested race. On the pitching side, Tarik Skubal won his second straight AL Cy Young Award, and Paul Sken