As Memorial Day approaches, the MLB trade rumor season begins to take shape, providing insights into potential storylines leading up to the July 31 trade deadline. Moneyline has developed a BS Meter with four levels: non-existent, low, medium, and high. This meter aims to assist fans in gauging how much credence to place in various reports, without questioning the credibility of the sources.

One of the recent rumors comes from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, who reported that the Philadelphia Phillies 'reached out' to David Robertson prior to José Alvarado’s 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs becoming public knowledge. Feinsand noted that 'no serious talks took place.' The BS Meter rates this rumor as low in credibility. Initially, the Phillies seemed in need of bullpen help even before losing their top arm. Considering that Robertson remains a free agent despite a solid performance last year with a 3.00 ERA in 68 games for the Texas Rangers, questions arise regarding his market availability. Though he is a seasoned veteran at 40, the lack of interest might suggest either financial demands or personal considerations regarding his career.

In a different vein, Bob Nightengale of USA Today indicated that both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs are 'closely monitoring' Ryan McMahon in case the Colorado Rockies decide to trade him. The BS Meter categorizes this as high credibility. The Rockies have not traditionally been major sellers, even amidst poor performances, leading to speculation regarding the future of McMahon. However, his current performance of .211 with a .706 OPS raises questions about how desirable he might be, given his financial commitments and the potential for a less-than-enthusiastic trade market.

Jon Heyman, in a recent stream, claimed there is 'no way, no how, no chance' that the Pittsburgh Pirates would trade burgeoning star Paul Skenes during the current season. This position receives a non-existent rating on the BS Meter. Skenes, at just 22 years old, is still several years away from arbitration and free agency, making a premature trade unlikely. His performance, boasting a 2.12 ERA over 33 MLB starts, solidifies his reputation as a 'generational talent'—a term often misapplied but warranted in his case. The Pirates are expected to build around such talent in hopes of future success.

Additionally, Nightengale speculated that Rhys Hoskins could be an excellent fit for the Boston Red Sox if the Milwaukee Brewers decide to become sellers. The credibility rating for this speculation is low. While the concept of Hoskins thriving at Fenway Park is plausible, the Brewers' situation remains contingent on their competitiveness this season. Despite some initial struggles, there is potential for Hoskins to significantly enhance his value, particularly if Milwaukee opts to trade him to secure prospects while shedding financial obligations for the following season.

Lastly, Jon Heyman remarked that Luis Robert Jr. would not be traded if his performance continues to hover below .200, concluding there's little to gain from such a deal. This remark receives a non-existent rating on the BS Meter. Despite an earlier promising contract, Robert has struggled significantly this season, and teams are likely to view him as a rental under the current circumstances. His past pedigree does hold value, especially considering the scarcity of impactful options in his position.