This is the time of year when we hear that teams will be listening on potential trades for Player A. However, most of the time those proclamations are simply rhetorical. The Brewers have said they are willing to listen to offers for Josh Hader. The Rays will be listening on offers for Blake Snell. The Reds will be listening on offers for Sonny Gray. The Cubs are listening on offers for Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Javy Baez, and Willson Contreras. Does Jeff Bridich have to trade Nolan Arenado?
I said MOST of the time the proclamations are rhetoric, but certainly not always.