Newsmakers

On this episode of Newsmakers, MLB.com's Bill Ladson talks to Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman to find out why he was able to have one of his most productive seasons in 2017 and why Washington hasn't broken through in the playoffs yet. Former Major Leaguer and current radio broadcaster Kevin Frandsen joins the show to talk about his new job doing radio for Phillies games and why he thinks the team will be competitive in the NL East this year. Ladson's final guest this week is MLB.com executive correspondent Richard Justice, who breaks down the teams that are most ready for Opening Day.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince and Richard Justice discuss Jay Bruce and the Mets agreeing to terms, the latest on the Gerrit Cole trade rumors and ranking divisions.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince, Richard Justice and guest Jeff Nelson discuss nothing but bullpens: who has the best, how they have changed over the years and how the market for relieves has changed

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince, Richard Justice and Jon Paul Morosi discuss pace of play, as well as the best rotations and lineups in the game.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince, Richard Justice and Mark Feinsand discuss the most improved lineups of the offseason, best lineups in the league and "Who Says No?"

This week on the Newsmakers podcast, Bill Ladson talked to three of the top baseball writers in America to find how they voted on the 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. MLB.com's Richard Justice runs down the 10 men he voted for and why they deserve to be in. USA Today's Bob Nightengale makes his case about why he still votes for players that are linked to PED's and breaks down his criteria for a Hall of Fame member. Ladson's final guest is Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. Madden discusses how analytics has changed the Hall of Fame voting and the criteria he uses when filling out his ballot.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince and Richard Justice discuss the reported offers to Eric Hosmer and J.D. Martinez as well as interesting subplots to the offseason so far.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince and Richard Justice ring in the New Year, discuss the lack of Hot Stove moves and talk about which teams will be making moves soon.

Morning Lineup: MLB.com's Alyson Footer and Richard Justice are joined by guest Jim Duquette and they talk about how trades are made and some trade possibilities. Also discussed are the Brewers signing of Jhoulys Chacin and Yovani Gallardo.

On this episode of Newsmakers, MLB.com's Bill Ladson takes a closer look at a Washington Nationals team that hopes to win it all in 2018. First, Ladson sits down with new manager Dave Martinez to find out what he has learned under the tutelage of Joe Maddon and why he thinks this team has enough to win the World Series. Nationals radio play-by-play announcer, Charlie Slowes, joins the show to talk about the team re-signing Brandon Kintzler and examine if Bryce Harper's contract status will be a distraction next season. (11:20) The last guest on this week's show is MLB.com correspondent Richard Justice, who wonders if the Nationals could re-sign Harper after this season and talks about Anthony Rendon's future in Washington.

Morning Lineup: MLB.com's Alyson Footer and Richard Justice discuss Evan Longoria being traded by the Rays to Giants and what it means for the two clubs, Zach Britton's achilles injury and free agent signings involving Jhoulys Chacin and Matt Adams.

Morning Lineup: MLB.com's Richard Justice and Alyson Footer discuss the latest surrounding Yu Darvish meeting with the Astros, Martin Perez's bull-related injury and some rapid-fire, free-agent landing spot destinations.

Morning Lineup: Alyson Footer and Richard Justice discuss Mitch Moreland re-signing with the Red Sox, and discuss when free agents like Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta might sign.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince and Richard Justice break down the recent moves as the free-agent market begins to heat up with Carlos Santana going to the Phillies and the Angels signing Zack Cozart. What else could be in store as many players remain available around the league?

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince and Alyson Footer wrap up the Winter Meetings, looking at the big free agents who are still available, why Boston has not made any moves, trades that have happened and one that still might, as well as summing up the Rule 5 Draft.

On this episode of Newsmakers, MLB.com's Bill Ladson chats with former MVP and five-time All-Star Jeff Kent to find out why he thinks he has not been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and if his perceived bad relationship with the media has anything to do with him not getting enough votes. Ladson also caught up with former Major Leaguer Dave Parker. Parker talks about not receiving the necessary amount of votes to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, despite winning an MVP, two batting titles and two World championships.

Morning Lineup: Richard Justice and Mark Feinsand break down Day 3 of the Winter Meetings, looking at the Marcell Ozuna trade to the Cardinals and the rest of the day's action.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince, Richard Justice and Mark Feinsand break down Day 2 of the Winter Meetings, summing up the latest trade discussions.

Morning Lineup: Anthony Castrovince, Richard Justice and Jim Duquette break down Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, discuss the introduction of Giancarlo Stanton as a Yankee and talk to Jack Morris about the Hall of Fame.

Jack Morris and Alan Trammell talk about being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame off the Modern Era ballot, during a press conference at the Winter Meetings. The duo discuss their reaction to getting the call, their times playing together in Detroit and playing for the late Sparky Anderson.