MLB Trade Rumors App Adds Notifications

MLB Trade Rumors (along with sister sites Hoops and Pro Football Rumors) rolled out a big update on its Trade Rumors app last week, which now includes notifications. The free app available for iOS and Android has also been redesigned, with feeds laid out in vertical columns on the home screen. And did I mention that it’s free? Because I wasn’t aware. I was still rocking their old app on my iPad, which I paid a handsome penny for a couple of years ago.

In terms of the layout, each column is customizable. For example, I set up notifications for only the top stories out of the MLB, because really, I don’t need to know the instant that Joe Beimel signs on with a team. For my second column I added a stream of Victor Martinez, my top free agent signing in my Strat-O-Matic league (two-year, $29.4 million contract), so I can monitor his rehab following surgery to correct a torn meniscus. I set notifications to off for VMart as I just want a quick way to view updates on my own time.

Conversely, I added the Angels feed as my third column, as they are the team I follow, and set my notifications for all stories. Because when general manager Jerry DiPoto signs Rickie Weeks to a minor league deal and invites him to spring training, I want to know that immediately. And really, I want to be the first in the Angels community I interact with to curse Josh Hamilton when he jacks up his thumb sliding head first in to first base or waits three weeks before Spring Training starts to have surgery on an already ailing shoulder.

Multiple feeds can be added, depending on your preference. I added five, but didn’t attempt to add more. Perhaps the sky is the limit?

For those that prefer the design of the web site to that of the photo-heavy app, you can utilize the Power User option. It removes the images from the home screen and allows for more headlines. It’s pure text, just like the previous MLB Trade Rumors app. Right now it’s only available for the Android version, but it will be built for iOS.

According to Tim Dierkes — owner of MLB Trade Rumors, its sister sites and the Trade Rumors app — mobile usage has grown 16 percent since 2012, with 43 percent of its readers now consuming news and rumors from smartphones or tablets. He told me they continue to make it a priority to provide a mobile-friendly experience and are targeting two big changes to accomplish that, the biggest of which will be redesigns of the MLB Trade Rumors and Hoop Rumors web sites, part of which will be more mobile-friendly versions. Dierkes said they will resemble the Pro Football Rumors experience, which provides a more “stripped-down layout” for mobile users.

The second change will be a native commenting system. The site uses Disqus right now. Once the new commenting system is in place, comments will be integrated in to the Trade Rumors app.

“I think it would allow for better customization, better page load speed and also the content would be under our roof,” Dierkes said.

Fair warning, there are small ads that will pop up in the app. And while Dierkes replied to a commenter that he wouldn’t rule out disabling ads for in-app purchases, it doesn’t sound like it will be any time soon.

“Developing and maintaining the app does add up,” Dierkes said,” and we’re a long way from reaching break even on all that.”

Wondering if your old MLB Trade Rumors app will continue to work? It won’t. Dierkes said those apps are out of the store and may stop working at some point.