{"podcast":{"title":"Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford","slug":"most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172","podcast_index_feed_id":6966172,"rss_url":"https://feeds.libsyn.com/538017/rss","website_url":"https://sites.libsyn.com/538017","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/6/3/2/3/6323116aac6709c3d959afa2a1bf1c87/MVA_FINAL_COVER.png","author":"Matt Hannaford","episode_count":106,"summary":"Welcome to Most Valuable Agent – the podcast that gives baseball players, prospects, and fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in professional baseball. Hosted by Matt Hannaford, a Major League Baseball agent with years of experience in contract negotiations and player representation, this channel is a must-watch for: • Athletes looking to advance their careers • Parents supporting young players • Baseball fans who want a deeper understanding of the game beyond the field What You'll Learn: • MLB Contracts & Draft Insights – How players get signed, negotiate contracts, and maximize opportunities • The Business of Baseball – Arbitration, free agency, and how teams evaluate talent • Expert Interviews & Analysis – Conversations with players, scouts, and insiders • MLB News & Market Trends – Breaking down trades, signings, and player negotiations 👉 Subscribe now for exclusive insights from one of baseball's top agents! New episodes weekly. You can watch the full episodes on The Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172"},"episode":{"title":"MLB GM Secrets: The Part They Don't Share with Fans","slug":"mlb-gm-secrets-the-part-they-don-t-share-with-fans","published_at":"2025-11-19T12:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172/mlb-gm-secrets-the-part-they-don-t-share-with-fans","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172","url":"https://f19dff7d-cba9-4d19-b009-9fdbdd27ffc9.libsyn.com/mlb-gm-secrets-the-part-they-dont-share-with-fans","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/f19dff7d-cba9-4d19-b009-9fdbdd27ffc9/FINAL_046_Thad_Levine_MVA.mp3?dest-id=4634517","summary":"Most parents only see the rankings, the showcase stats, and the hype — but this episode of The Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford pulls you inside the real world of MLB draft strategy, where decisions are made long before a player ever hears their name called. Former Minnesota Twins GM Thad Levine reveals what truly drives baseball scouting insights today, from how MLB teams evaluate players beyond raw tools to why character, adaptability, and leadership quietly determine careers. You'll hear how clubs weigh high school vs. college talent, why certain pitchers carry heavy risk profiles, and how \"force multipliers\" — not just stars — shape long-term success. Thad breaks down how front offices think, how organizations develop prospects, and what separates players who survive the grind from those who stall out. If you've ever wondered how the baseball development pathway really works behind closed doors, this conversation exposes the hidden criteria that actually move players up draft boards. Subscribe for weekly MLB draft strategy and baseball development insights. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN MLB draft strategy breakdowns teams use to separate elite prospects Baseball scouting insights that go far beyond tools or showcase numbers How MLB teams evaluate players on makeup, adaptability, and character Risk profiles of high school vs. college players, especially pitching Why leadership, habits, and mindset drive long-term player development How the baseball development pathway really works inside MLB organizations Matt Hannaford is a 25-year veteran MLB agent and founder of Aligned Sports. He's represented Hall of Famers, negotiated blockbuster contracts, and now shares his wisdom weekly on The Most Valuable Agent. Connect with Matt Hannaford: https://www.instagram.com/mfhannafor…","meta_description":"Most parents only see the rankings, the showcase stats, and the hype — but this episode of The Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford pulls you inside th…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":4269,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172/episodes/mlb-gm-secrets-the-part-they-don-t-share-with-fans/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172/mlb-gm-secrets-the-part-they-don-t-share-with-fans.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}