Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the MacKenzie Gore trade, the trajectories of the Rangers and Nationals since their respective World Series victories, and why the White Sox signed Seranthony Domínguez. Then (29:38) they bring on baseball buds Brent Rooker and Vinnie Pasquantino for a wide-ranging conversation about their scrapped podcasting plans, the Royals remodeling Kauffman Stadium, how Sutter Health Park played, the good and bad of bat-speed training, the challenge system, Brent’s sinking strikeout rate, the best breakfasts, the Pasqwich, A’s outfield defense, Nick Kurtz and Jac Caglianone, playing with Rich Hill, A’s extensions, playing 162 games, why they haven’t become 30-30 guys, arbitration, players’ pre-lockout messaging, an offseason signing deadline, Vinnie’s interactions with Shohei Ohtani, the WBC, the weather, and more. Finally (1:38:25), Ben shares listener responses about Andruw Jones and outfield diving.

Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG post on Gore trade
Link to FG post on traded prospects
Link to “jersey guy” discussion
Link to team losses post-2019
Link to team SP projections
Link to Ben on Sale in 2018
Link to Sox pen rank
Link to MLBTR on Domínguez
Link to first Rooker pod appearance
Link to second Rooker appearance
Link to Episode 1875
Link to Episode 1988
Link to lowest WARs in April
Link to Brent’s Twitter taunt
Link to Vinnie on the canceled podcast
Link to story on Vinnie’s slow start
Link to story on Muncy’s eyewear
Link to bat speed article
Link to Brent on bat speed
Link to bat speed data
Link to Vinnie on the fence changes
Link to Brent on breakfast
Link to Vinnie on Italian breakfast
Link to Pasqwich tweet
Link to Pasqwich article
Link to Baseball Savant park factors
Link to FG park factors
Link to Kauffman batter’s eye comments
Link to more Kauffman batter’s eye comments
Link to visibility by ballpark
Link to Brent’s lone Royals hit
Link to Lowe comments
Link to story on Vinnie and Jac
Link to MLBTR on Brent’s extension
Link to MLBTR on A’s extensions
Link to Vinnie on extensions
Link to Vinnie on arbitration
Link to iron man Rooker
Link to sprint speeds
Link to signing deadline tweet 1
Link to signing deadline tweet 2
Link to Soderstrom article
Link to Vinnie’s “WTF” tweet
Link to Vinnie and Ohtani
Link to Brent and Ohtani
Link to Team Italy WBC roster
Link to Brent’s weather tweet
Link to Trout’s response
Link to Brent’s “weather boy” tweet
Link to “weather boy” meme
Link to Bledsoe Agency
Link to Pham suspension story
Link to Pham Insta post
Link to Episode 2430
Link to Bloomquist on Ichiro
Link to Pillar/White article

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the best point in the podcast at which to talk transactions, how a salary cap would affect the kind of conversations we have about baseball (based on the way we discuss other sports), the notion that a particular signing would drive owners to pursue a salary cap, and (25:09) whether a fielder’s proclivity for diving catches tells us anything about how good he is (inspired by the belief that Andruw Jones never had to dive). Then (44:32) they break down the latest Mets moves (for Luis Robert Jr. and Freddy Peralta), the team’s extreme makeover, and why the Brewers dealt Peralta, plus (1:29:08) the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger deal, their lack of roster turnover, and Belli’s up-down-up career.

Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Gore
Link to Young trade news
Link to Young trade rationale
Link to Rosenthal on the cap
Link to Drellich on the cap
Link to Calcaterra on Jones
Link to Sheehan on Jones
Link to Jones highlight reel
Link to possibility space wiki
Link to Ben on Harper’s dives
Link to Hannah on dives
Link to Rocky quote
Link to FG on Robert
Link to team CF projections
Link to Robert CF rank
Link to Robert’s sprint speeds
Link to 2017 story on Robert
Link to 2017 EW episode on Robert
Link to FG on Peralta
Link to FG on Peralta prospects
Link to Brewers defense ranking
Link to Peralta defenders ranking
Link to RA-9 WAR leaders
Link to team SP projections
Link to Tong’s grilled cheese
Link to BP on Peralta
Link to Brewers payroll story 1
Link to Brewers payroll story 2
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Mets team ZiPS post
Link to FG post on Bellinger
Link to Belli’s celebration injury
Link to Belli on changing his celebration
Link to team WAR projections
Link to Domínguez defensive stats
Link to team BaseRuns
Link to political registration research
Link to EW wiki on car recording

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ha-Seong Kim and the perils of slipping on ice, the contrasting retirement comments of Mookie Betts and Rich Hill, more on the Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette signings, Goodhart’s law and baseball stats, the late Wilbur Wood, and the latest trends in Hall of Fame voting.

Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Sam Chess, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Kim story
Link to MLBTR on Kim
Link to Mateo signing
Link to team SS projection
Link to Cena/Mookie episode
Link to MLB.com on Mookie
Link to HUAL on Cena’s retirement
Link to Mookie’s other stream
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to “Retire” meme
Link to Hill on EW
Link to team LF projection
Link to team CF projection
Link to Dombrowski comment
Link to MLBTR on Jays offer
Link to Weaver’s Dodgers stat
Link to Clemens post
Link to barrels definition
Link to Andrews post
Link to Goodhart’s law wiki
Link to Baumann on nerdy players
Link to Wood obit
Link to Wood’s IP lead
Link to Sardell EW appearance
Link to Sardell’s penultimate projections
Link to Sardell’s final projections
Link to Jay’s results preview
Link to Jay on EW
Link to BBWAA announcement
Link to Jay on the results
Link to Jay’s Jones profile
Link to Jones battery report
Link to Jay’s Beltrán profile
Link to Felix leap stat
Link to Pettitte PEDs story
Link to Vizquel persuasion post
Link to Sam’s ballot
Link to Pollis on the results
Link to MLBTR on Robert

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a flurry of transactions and a three-team-trade dilemma, then break down the J.T. Realmuto, Bo Bichette, and Kyle Tucker deals, plus talk of baseball economics and Emmanuel Clase’s roosters.

Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG post on Castro
Link to MLBTR on three-team trade
Link to Passan on Tucker
Link to Passan on three-team trade
Link to two buttons meme
Link to Passan meme
Link to FG post on Realmuto
Link to FG post on Bichette
Link to FG post on Tucker
Link to Ben on Tucker
Link to Cohen tweet 1
Link to Cohen tweet 2
Link to FG quarter-zips
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Ben on free agency
Link to Passan on free agency
Link to offseason FA spending
Link to bad Tucker swing
Link to Ben on Yordan’s slump
Link to Roberts comments
Link to owner floor proposal
Link to floor proposal analysis
Link to Walker comment
Link to champion complacency
Link to FA fits episode
Link to team hitter age
Link to team OF WAR
Link to MLB execs poll
Link to Tucker persona story
Link to Tucker cWPA
Link to Teoscar in RF
Link to Teoscar in LF
Link to team depth chart projections
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Dodgers CBT tax spending
Link to 2006 team payrolls
Link to 2005 team payrolls
Link to 2003 Onion headline
Link to Kershaw WBC news
Link to Clase roosters story
Link to more on Clase roosters
Link to quotes about Clase

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley analyze the latest additions to the AL East: Ryan Weathers to the Yankees and Ranger Suárez to the Red Sox. Then (26:52) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Jon Norton to answer listener emails about players who’ve repeatedly signed one-year contracts, whether they would want to play in an MLB game, how impressive switch-hitting should be, WAR without players who took PEDs, and the all-time greatness of Star Trek legend Buck Bokai.

Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG post on Weathers
Link to FG post on Suárez
Link to team SP depth charts
Link to team depth charts WAR
Link to over/under draft standings
Link to Cot’s Contracts
Link to 2018 Passan tweet
Link to Sam on playing in a game
Link to decline of switch-hitting
Link to holodeck wiki
Link to holodeck malfunctions
Link to Buck Bokai at Memory Alpha
Link to WWIII at Memory Alpha
Link to Star Trek Ringer MLB Show
Link to listener emails database
Link to scientific method wiki
Link to MLBTR on Tucker

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Cubs’ big Alex Bregman signing, Nolan Arenado’s trade to Arizona, Kauffman Stadium’s soon-to-be-cozier confines, and a former GM’s dismissal of advanced stats, plus a few follow-ups.

Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Andrews on Bregman
Link to Baumann on Bregman
Link to Langs on draftees
Link to Montgomery on Boras
Link to Kennedy comments
Link to Sheehan on the Sox
Link to Tucker rumors
Link to team depth charts
Link to team payrolls
Link to Baumann on Arenado
Link to Passan on Kauffman
Link to Royals announcement tweet
Link to ballpark homogenization
Link to LA Memorial Coliseum info
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to Pasquantino take
Link to Rooker retort
Link to Mack piece at BP
Link to Sam on where to put a pit
Link to Amaro wiki
Link to Amaro tweet 1
Link to Amaro tweet 2
Link to Bichette report
Link to Collins report
Link to stream Stove League
Link to Stove League pods
Link to Sea Unicorns article

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a breakup of baseball lookalikes, minor league free agent draft eligibility, and more players who unretired after becoming coaches, then break down the latest baseball broadcasting developments, Rob Manfred’s recent comments (about his priorities and future, an offseason signing deadline, and regular-season structure), Tarik Skubal’s historic arbitration case, and, inspired by sensational hockey streaming series Heated Rivalry (which they discuss without spoilers), when an active MLB player might publicly come out.

Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Fitzgerald
Link to Sojo article
Link to Campbell hiring
Link to TV network news
Link to MLBTR on TV networks
Link to TV network news 2
Link to Entertainment Strategy Guy
Link to streaming revenue info
Link to more on streaming revenue
Link to Manfred on a signing deadline
Link to Rooker tweet
Link to Harper sales article 1
Link to Harper sales article 2
Link to Manfred’s tournament comments
Link to MLBTR on Skubal
Link to The Athletic on Skubal
Link to Passan on Skubal
Link to Ben on arbitration
Link to MLBTR on Kepler
Link to Heated Rivalry
Link to hockey culture article
Link to Outsports article
Link to Take Me Out wiki
Link to EW Episode 1776
Link to Unwritten Rules
Link to Manfred’s diversity comments
Link to Venezuela article

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the on-ramp for learning about sports analytics has changed since they were students, follow up on players who unretired after becoming coaches, break down the Edward Cabrera trade (and the Michael Lorenzen signing), and then discuss the remaining top-10 free agents (Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Framber Valdez, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, and Ranger Suárez) from three perspectives: where they’d have the biggest impact, where would be most fun for them to sign, and where they will sign.

Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Rice job listing
Link to Andres class article 1
Link to Andres class article 2
Link to Sabermetrics 101 MOOC
Link to Mota article
Link to Quirk bio
Link to Chambliss bio
Link to “Conformity Gate”
Link to Ben on Mass Effect 3
Link to Baumann on Cabrera
Link to Cabrera pitch values
Link to worst fastballs
Link to Andrews on Lorenzen
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to Petriello on Tucker
Link to Gelb on Bichette
Link to IF fielding value
Link to team payrolls
Link to team SP depth charts
Link to team positional projections

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Daniel Vogelbach becoming a Brewers hitting coach and coach-hiring trends, analyze and phact-check Tommy Pham’s pitch for “PhamGraphs,” react to the Kazuma Okamoto signing and the Blue Jays embracing their big-market potential (in contrast to the Giants), and take the temperature of the pretty tepid stove (phollowed by a phollow-up on Pham).

Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Vogelbach news
Link to Brewers coaching staff
Link to last year’s Vogelbach hiring
Link to Vogelbach promo
Link to article on PhamGraphs
Link to negativity bias wiki
Link to team batting LI
Link to batter opp_DRA-
Link to team batter opp_DRA-
Link to lineup construction study
Link to DRA- explainer
Link to DRC+ explainer
Link to Canha’s BP player card
Link to Pham’s BP player card
Link to August Pham incident
Link to EW Episode 2363
Link to PH PA leaders
Link to Eric on Okamoto
Link to NPB HR since 2019
Link to MLBTR on Okamoto
Link to MLBTR on Takahashi
Link to FG payroll page
Link to FG post on Mahle
Link to team SP projections
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to Ben on pennant complacency
Link to Harbaugh firing
Link to latest Hang Up and Listen
Link to Albies TikTok

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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens banter about the Astros signing Tatsuya Imai to a smaller-than-expected deal. Then (18:20) they continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 13th annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, in which they select 10 minor league free agents each and compete to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined MLB playing time in 2025 (followed by a postscript at 1:31:23).

Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to guest appearances sheet
Link to FG post on Imai
Link to MLBTR on Imai
Link to Feinsand tweet
Link to The Athletic on Imai
Link to minor league free agents
Link to MLBTR on MiLB FA
Link to last year’s draft
Link to MiLB FA draft wiki
Link to EWStats page
Link to dynasty FA draft sheet
Link to Brebbia on EW
Link to MLBTR on Baddoo
Link to 2025 MLB average SP
Link to MiLB IP leaders
Link to Can’t Hardly Wait scene
Link to this year’s draftees
Link to first Stathead query
Link to second Stathead query
Link to Boob McNutt
Link to Mutt and Jeff
Link to Gink and Boob
Link to Bucco Bricks tweet
Link to Lile’s Reddit response
Link to MLB.com on Lile
Link to car service jingles
Link to Conjunction Junction
Link to “certain point of view” scene
Link to “Old Ben” clip
Link to Slate on prediction markets
Link to Bloomberg on prediction markets
Link to Sporcle quiz

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the potential risk to sports prediction markets pose and then (24:00) discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each American League team that wasn’t previously covered on the show in 2025.

Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Rendon
Link to Bloomberg on prediction markets
Link to The Athletic on prediction markets
Link to FoS on the Blackhawks
Link to story about MLB memo
Link to Slate on prediction markets
Link to Slate on prediction markets 2
Link to Royals stadium story
Link to 1922 article on Fowler
Link to AL stories spreadsheet
Link to Ella Black series

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a smattering of recent transactions and then (20:17) discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each National League team that wasn’t previously covered on the podcast in 2025.

Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLB.com on Soderstrom
Link to MLBTR on Soderstrom
Link to MLBTR on Refsnyder
Link to The Athletic on Refsnyder
Link to “the grink” tweet
Link to Fowler SABR bio
Link to 1925 article on Fowler
Link to NL stories spreadsheet

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Ben Lindbergh talks to two pitchers who topped out at Triple-A in 2025, which was a demotion for one and a promotion for the other. First, he brings back Rangers pitcher Declan Cronin, the only major leaguer alum of Ben’s high school, to discuss a setback of a season that included a mysterious hip injury, compromised mechanics, diminished stuff, a cutthroat release and, finally, Tommy John surgery. Along the way, they cover the urge to play through injuries, joining the Rangers after being unceremoniously jettisoned by the Marlins, what tearing a UCL feels like, the incentives that lead to elbow problems, Declan’s plan to bounce back from a challenging year, MLB-NWSL romances, and competing with other players for wedding dates. Then (1:05:45), Ben talks to White Sox pitcher/sportswriter Duncan Davitt about becoming a journalist on the side, being on both ends of interviews, being blacked out of baseball broadcasts, the plight and importance of local media, his deceptive delivery, being traded and making a 40-man for the first time, what he has to do to earn a call-up, whether pitchers wear protective cups, and much more.

Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”

Link to “TK” journalism term
Link to MLBTR on Soderstrom
Link to Regis High School wiki
Link to Declan’s first pod appearance
Link to Declan’s second pod appearance
Link to article about baseball weddings
Link to Declan t-shirt
Link to MLBTR on Declan’s TJ
Link to list of TJ surgeries
Link to cascade injury article
Link to MLBTR on Declan’s deal
Link to team RP WPA
Link to team RP WAR
Link to staff page at Tread
Link to Tyler Zombro wiki
Link to Paige Monaghan wiki
Link to Paige’s wedding post
Link to Dansby/Mallory article
Link to Peña/Grosso engagement
Link to Duncan strikeout reel
Link to Register feature on Duncan
Link to Sox Machine feature on Duncan
Link to Duncan’s wedding post
Link to Rays prospect ranking
Link to traded prospects ranking
Link to minor league IP leaders
Link to Ben on deception
Link to Indianola IA website
Link to Indianola wiki
Link to J.D. Scholten appearance
Link to Indianola IA sports page
Link to Duncan’s boys’ basketball article
Link to Duncan’s girls’ basketball article
Link to Duncan on the offseason
Link to Duncan on the trade
Link to Duncan on the 40-man
Link to Duncan on Triple-A
Link to Duncan on big league belief
Link to Laurila’s notes column
Link to Ben on the gap in 2025
Link to Ben on the gap in 2015
Link to Davenport on the gap
Link to MLB.com on Abbott Elementary
Link to Schwarber’s 4-HR game
Link to MLB survey question

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Ben Lindbergh, Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, and Joe Sheehan of The Joe Sheehan Baseball Newsletter break down teams’ last-minute Christmas shopping—including the White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami, the Padres signing Michael King and Sung Mun Song, the Orioles trading for Shane Baz, the Red Sox trading for Willson Contreras, a three-team trade involving the Pirates, Rays, and Astros, Jeff McNeil and Matt Strahm swaps, and the Yankees’ hibernation—plus banter about the quasi-retirement of Craig’s nemesis, Joe Kelly, the future of NPB, a report about Emmanuel Clase’s mid-game phone use, and supporting independent media. Then (1:11:40) they conduct an in-depth debate about the respective merits of human umpiring, the challenge system, and full ABS.

Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Kelly’s podcast
Link to Dubuque on the challenge system
Link to Craig on the challenge system
Link to Joe on the challenge system
Link to previous podcast discussion
Link to Seitz decision wiki
Link to Joe on the Seitz decision
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Baumann on Murakami
Link to Rosenblum on Murakami
Link to Longenhagen on Murakami
Link to Craig on Murakami
Link to Sarris on Murakami
Link to Ben on Murakami in 2022
Link to Sato story
Link to FG post on King
Link to FG post on Song
Link to FG post on Baz
Link to Craig on Baz
Link to team SP projections
Link to Joe on three-team trade
Link to FG post on three-team trade
Link to FG post on Contreras
Link to FG post on Strahm
Link to Strahm’s beer stance
Link to Bowlan info
Link to FG post on McNeil
Link to Lindor/McNeil drama
Link to Clase report
Link to Dylan phone ban
Link to Molina framing montage
Link to framing technique evolution
Link to Molina on EW
Link to Craig on the K-Zone
Link to Tango on challenge tactics
Link to Five and Dive
Link to subscribe to BP
Link to subscribe to Joe
Link to MLBTR on O’Hearn
Link to Posnanski MVP post
Link to A’s ballpark update
Link to Rian Johnson post

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Ben Lindbergh brings on ESPN senior MLB insider Jeff Passan to discuss the ins and outs of the newsbreaking business—how he reports and announces news, how newsbreaking in baseball differs from newsbreaking in other sports, conflicts of interest, the ills of social media, work-life balance, aging, his flirtation with switching to the basketball beat, and more—plus Jeff’s thoughts on ESPN’s relationship with MLB, the biggest surprises and questions of this hot stove season, and the outlook for a lockout. Then (1:06:55) Ben talks to The Athletic’s Sam Blum about what he learned from covering the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tyler Skaggs against the Angels, which was settled just before the jury reached a verdict.

Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Jeff’s last EW appearance
Link to Jeff’s newsbreaking origins
Link to Jeff’s gravy tweet
Link to aging research
Link to article about aging
Link to Woj comments
Link to Schefter comments
Link to Shams comments
Link to Shams profile
Link to Shams vs. Woj feature
Link to Passan NBA report
Link to exhibit 49 info
Link to more exhibit 49 info
Link to ESPN-MLB deal
Link to ESPN-NFL deal
Link to ESPN evolution
Link to Jeff’s trade tweet
Link to news about Jeff’s son
Link to The LAT on the settlement
Link to Sam on the settlement
Link to Sam on Trout
Link to MLB testing change

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an “oppo taco” mention in Wake Up Dead Man, a run on free-agent relievers and the lack of late-inning options remaining on the market, when big free agents actually tend to sign, the Nationals’ youth movement in the front office and on the coaching staff, and the stacked USA WBC pitching staff, plus follow-ups on several subjects.

Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Rian Johnson clip
Link to MLB.com on Weaver
Link to Williams message
Link to FG post on Keller
Link to Arizona gulls
Link to MLBTR on May
Link to Jimmy trailer
Link to Buzzfeed post on Jimmy
Link to remaining FA RP
Link to Nats youth story
Link to Nats youth story 2
Link to Nats youth tweet
Link to MLBTR on DeBartolo
Link to Butera quote
Link to Nats ticket settlement
Link to scouts lawsuit
Link to ump age study
Link to Sheehan research
Link to Raleigh award tweet
Link to USA WBC roster
Link to 2023 roster
Link to Trout WBC story
Link to announced players post
Link to Ben on WBC injuries
Link to Ben on more WBCs
Link to Grinch oral history
Link to roast beast
Link to MLBTR on Kim’s offer
Link to “Big Smooth” article
Link to Pomeranz post
Link to Calcaterra on the HoF
Link to ineligible list wiki

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Ha-Seong Kim, Adrian Houser, and Foster Griffin signings, a prospect-for-prospect Red Sox and Nationals trade, and the Twins’ partial sale, then (34:00) answer emails about saying “pitchoff” instead of “first pitch,” the value of a cool nickname, a Hall of Fame reference in The Wizard of Oz, whether teams value batter performance against elite pitching, protesting ball/strike calls from the dugout, keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall, a running start for pitchers, and moving the catcher back instead of the mound.

Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG post on Kim
Link to Anthopoulos comments on Kim
Link to MLBTR on Houser
Link to MLBTR on Griffin
Link to FG post on pitching prospects trade
Link to Twins sale story
Link to $/WAR analysis
Link to $/WAR analysis 2
Link to ceremonial first puck wiki
Link to “baseball exceptionalism” series
Link to Sam’s hockey quote
Link to Raleigh “Beef Boys” story
Link to Sam on Trout in 2012
Link to The Wizard of Oz song
Link to halls of fame wiki
Link to Hall of Fame for Great Americans
Link to Schwarber’s postseason stats
Link to pitcher quality adjustment post
Link to Capps hop post
Link to Ben on moving the mound
Link to listener emails database

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a smattering of transactions, featuring (among others) Jorge Polanco, Tyler Rogers, Kenley Jansen, Isaac Collins, Angel Zerpa, Merrill Kelly, Josh Bell, and Adolis García. Then (49:03) they talk about MLB’s move to regulate and standardize the use of in-game technology across the minor leagues, baseball content (sans spoilers!) in new Netflix films Wake Up Dead Man and A House of Dynamite (1:04:50), and MLB players who could come out of retirement after long layoffs, à la Colts QB Philip Rivers (1:15:20).

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG post on Polanco
Link to Petriello on Polanco
Link to FG post on Rogers
Link to team RP projections
Link to FG post on Brewers/Royals trade
Link to 2025 team OF stats
Link to FG post on Kelly
Link to FG post on Kenley
Link to R-JAWS leaders
Link to Ben on the Lester trade
Link to MLBTR on Bell
Link to Trueblood on Bell
Link to MLBTR on García
Link to new MLB regulations
Link to 2023 report on team spending
Link to report on Monfort’s spending
Link to EW Episode 1489
Link to EW Episode 1490
Link to Ben on Elementary
Link to baseball in Knives Out
Link to blog about baseball in WUDM
Link to Reddit on baseball in WUDM
Link 2 to Reddit on baseball in WUDM
Link to Lindor references
Link to Vonn’s win
Link to Rivers post in FB group
Link to Rivers game story
Link to Seahawks tweet
Link to Gainwell wiki
Link to EW Episode 1928

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Garrett Stubbs and the latest example of eyebrow-raising off-the-field Phillies behavior (content warning: adult breast milk consumption), then (14:58) discuss the Pete Alonso signing from the Orioles’ and Mets’ perspectives, Stat Blast (47:09) about teams losing long-tenured/productive players and rapid roster turnover among title winners, and recap (1:05:25) a smattering of transactions to put a bow on the week of Winter Meetings.

Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to cursed Stubbs TikTok
Link to info on breast milk drinking
Link to bodybuilders and breast milk
Link to Stubbs on EW
Link to Phillies himbo article 1
Link to Phillies himbo article 2
Link to FG post on Alonso
Link to Alonso’s career splits
Link to O’s vs. LHP
Link to Sheehan on the O’s
Link to O’s offense sim
Link to team SP projections
Link to Post cover 1
Link to Post cover 2
Link to “Headless Body in Topless Bar”
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to FG post on Suarez
Link to FG post on Yastrzemski
Link to FG post on Finnegan
Link to FG post on Thomas
Link to over/under draft results
Link to MLBTR on Garcia
Link to MLBTR on Rogers
Link to Hughes/Fitzy story

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down Scott Boras’s Winter Meetings wordplay and discuss the Kyle Schwarber and Edwin Díaz deals, a smattering of starting-pitcher signings, the Pirates as supposed spenders, the latest on the Ippei Mizuhara TV series, a Lane Kiffin canine conspiracy, and a Johanfran Garcia nickname.

Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Boras on EW
Link to Boras on Imai
Link to Boras on Suárez
Link to Boras on Bregman
Link to Boras on Alonso
Link to more on Alonso
Link to “Wood” song
Link to Boras on Gallen
Link to Boras on Skubal
Link to Boras on Bellinger
Link to Bellinger quote transcription
Link to quote about news timing
Link to FG post on Schwarber
Link to NL fWAR leaders
Link to FG post on Díaz
Link to Friedman’s “heavy lifting” quote
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Pirates offer story
Link to Boras on the Pirates
Link to Pirates/Marlins spending story
Link to Ippei show update
Link to FG post on Matz
Link to MLBTR on Grissom
Link to MLBTR on Ponce
Link to MLBTR on Weiss
Link to MLBTR on Kay
Link to MLBTR on Anderson
Link to HUAL on Kiffin
Link to Kiffin dog story 1
Link to Kiffin dog story 2
Link to report on Juice
Link to post on Juice’s account
Link to Cruella de Vil wiki
Link to Garcia brothers story
Link to Patreon gift subs
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley deliver a correction to the preceding episode’s draft results, ponder the mystery of a bigger John Brebbia fan than Ben, remind listeners to sign up for EW Secret Santa, and banter about Sonny Gray, Brian Cashman, and gloriously nonsensical sports beefs, Bryce Harper’s ozone therapy, two trades centered on blocked prospects, and Jeff Kent’s Cooperstown induction.

Audio intro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to EWStats thread
Link to competitions/drafts sheet
Link to EWStats site
Link to FanGraphs Walk-Off
Link to Gray article 1
Link to Gray article 2
Link to Dobbins dad story
Link to Schlittler article 1
Link to Schlittler article 2
Link to Cashman on Stanton
Link to Harper Insta post
Link to Baumann post about Harper
Link to Baumann’s cycling newsletter
Link to Redd post about Harper
Link to Harper photo 1
Link to Harper photo 2
Link to Redd’s site
Link to Ozone therapy wiki
Link to Bastyr U wiki
Link to FG post on Ford trade
Link to FG post on Password trade
Link to Pirates/Marlins spending story
Link to 2025 team catcher WAR
Link to team SP projections
Link to Jay on Kent
Link to Sheffield’s explanation
Link to 2B JAWS
Link to 2000 NL fWAR leaders
Link to 2000 NL bWAR leaders
Link to “C’mon, do something” meme
Link to MLBTR on Wade
Link to Patreon gift subs
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Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and podcast scorekeeper Chris Hanel review the results of an under-25-pitchers draft Ben and Sam conducted a decade ago. Then (13:38) Ben and Sam banter about Ben’s physique, answer listener emails about doing a The Only Rule-style experiment 10 years later, discuss Sam’s revamped, unique approach to writing about baseball this year, and consider some possibilities for what we’ll remember about baseball in 2025. After that (1:05:57), Ben continues the sporadic “Baseball Jobs” series by interviewing 71-year-old John Yandle, the Giants’ left-handed batting-practice pitcher since 1985, about his transition from pitcher to BP pitcher, the keys to good BP, balancing his day job and his baseball side gig, anticipating starting-pitcher matchups, fending off advanced pitching machines, his incredible longevity, arm care in his 70s, the hitters who’ve complained the most, throwing BP to Barry Bonds, and more, followed by (2:01:20) a postscript.

Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Sam Miller, “Effectively Wild Theme (Ken Maeda’s Nice ‘n’ Easy Remix)”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to EW Episode 669
Link to competitions/drafts sheet
Link to EWStats site
Link to The Only Rule
Link to Ben’s Vince Gilligan video
Link to Pebble Hunting
Link to Sam on tripping
Link to Sam on non-highlight highlights
Link to Sam on the CI challenge
Link to Sam on dropped third strikes
Link to piece about first pitches
Link to How To with John Wilson
Link to Sam on remembering past years
Link to Sam on Ohtani in 2024
Link to Sam on the World Series
Link to Sam on the Hall
Link to titular Yogi-ism
Link to John’s B-Ref page
Link to John’s Newmark bio
Link to 2024 article on John
Link to 2012 article on John
Link to 2007 article on John
Link to Johnson’s first pitch
Link to Bonds TTO splits
Link to Giants Trajekt machine
Link to Cooney/Wharton
Link to Cooney’s LinkedIn
Link to Byrnes wiki
Link to Wrapped post
Link to Patreon gift subs
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the John Brebbia and Devin Williams signings (in that order, obviously), share a few follow-ups, and (31:33) assess whether each team satisfied its season preview guest’s conditions for a successful year. Then (58:18) they answer emails about the origins of the concept of the “opposite field,” the meaning of the word “whiff,” how to refer to offseasons, whether umpires practice throwing, how much stock to place in regular-season wins without an accompanying championship, and two takes on the challenge system.

Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Brebbia
Link to Brebbia on EW
Link to minor league FA
Link to FG post on Williams
Link to present-value calc
Link to Petriello on Williams
Link to biggest 2025 ERA-FIP gaps
Link to contracts draft
Link to team SP projections
Link to Canadian currency details
Link to Metrodome demolition
Link to preseason team goals
Link to Dickson on “corner”
Link to Dickson on “opposite field”
Link to Dickson on “whiff”
Link to FG top 50 FA
Link to team wins since 2000
Link to Andrews on ABS and catchers
Link to Tango on ABS and catchers
Link to listener emails database
Link to MLBTR on Manoah
Link to MLBTR on Ponce
Link to Patreon gift subs
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley respond to the responses to their response to a recent listener email, discuss (14:38) the Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease deal (including a Stat Blast about pitchers with big ERA-FIP gaps at 34:11), Anthony Rendon’s potential retirement (47:23), and the Orioles’ Ryan Helsley signing (1:05:37), before scrutinizing ESPN’s annual offseason survey of MLB executives (1:15:53).

Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to EW Episode 2407
Link to T20 cricket
Link to Baumann on Cease
Link to team SP projections
Link to contracts draft results
Link to Canadian currency wiki
Link to ERA-FIP gap findings
Link to ERA estimators study
Link to “IPA” drug report
Link to Rendon report
Link to Rendon EW episode
Link to The Force Awakens scene
Link to Helsley starting post
Link to Helsley signing post
Link to Helsley BP player card
Link to BP pitching leaderboards
Link to Ben on Alcantara in 2022
Link to Trueblood on predictability
Link to Sam on the Crasnicks
Link to new ESPN survey
Link to Giants/Imai report
Link to Patreon gift subs
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Becca Balton to banter about Becca’s baseball background, her origins as a listener, and the Nationals’ new direction, then (17:51) answer emails about a team WAR cap, an extra-innings variant in which the team to score fastest wins, manager close-ups on postseason broadcasts, citing the stats of a particular pitch, a pitch-based skills competition, and the “corners” of the strike zone, followed (1:09:33) by Stat Blasts about postseason series MVPs with negative (c)WPAs, pitchers who earned their first save in their final appearance, the oldest/most-experienced pitchers to push their career records over .500 for the first time, and teams that swept the major awards in the shortest spans, plus a postscript on the Dylan Cease signing and more.

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Yesavage splitter stats
Link to Babe Ruth Award wiki
Link to Kershaw/Stafford backstory
Link to xkcd “Ten Thousand” comic
Link to Stafford stat
Link to Stafford’s season
Link to QB wins leaders
Link to Nightengale column
Link to BP on MLB’s “losses”
Link to MaML on Karcher
Link to listener emails database
Link to Jesser’s YouTube channel
Link to Rendon report
Link to MLBTR on Cease
Link to Baumann on Cease
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Red Sox-Cardinals trade involving Sonny Gray and take Hal Steinbrenner to task for his comments about the Yankees not being profitable, then (37:00) talk to Jay Jaffe about the big issues surrounding this year’s (and upcoming years’) BBWAA and Era Committee Hall of Fame ballots.

Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Gray
Link to Baumann on Gray
Link to Breslow quote
Link to Steinbrenner’s comments
Link to Rob on Steinbrenner
Link to Rob on Atlanta
Link to Beeston quote
Link to Forbes estimates
Link to 2026 BBWAA ballot
Link to Jay on the ballot
Link to Jay’s profiles schedule
Link to ballot tracker
Link to ballot tracker site
Link to S-JAWS info
Link to Jay on the contemporary ballot
Link to Posnanski post
Link to The Cooperstown Casebook
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Warren Schaeffer staying on as Rockies manager, the Mets’ and Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo–Marcus Semien swap, and their memories, thoughts, and feelings concerning Alex Rodriguez, inspired by the new, three-part HBO docuseries Alex vs. A-Rod. Then (58:35) they talk to the co-directors/EPs of Alex vs. A-Rod, Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew, about how the docuseries sausage was made and their insights into A-Rod’s psyche.

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Schaeffer
Link to Baumann on the trade
Link to Alex vs. A-Rod trailer
Link to stream Alex vs. A-Rod
Link to Alex vs. A-Rod IMDb page
Link to Gotham’s IMDb page
Link to Erik’s IMDb page
Link to latest HUAL episode
Link to Munch King bag
Link to “gun” etymology
Link to 1993 Levy article
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Aaron Judge having been teammates with both Taylor Ward and Tyler Wade, a revelation about the late-season health of Elly De La Cruz, and the hidden value of multiposition players such as Mauricio Dubón, then (38:22) answer listener emails about the terms “baseball lifer” and “double-barrel action,” when bases-loaded situations are separate, how to count innings, a weird double play, how to classify switch-hitters, non-switch-hitters who should consider switch-hitting, and whether wealth can buy a good farm system.

Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Elly injury info
Link to September Elly episode
Link to AA quotes on Dubón
Link to 2025 FRV leaders
Link to Kostka thread on Grayson
Link to double play clip 1
Link to double play clip 2
Link to double play clip 3
Link to Rendon homer story
Link to Popkins origin story
Link to listener emails database
Link to Narduzzi clip
Link to Narduzzi story
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben, Meg, Michael Baumann, Ben Clemens, and Chris Hanel congregate to review the results of the 2025 minor league free agent draft (11:45) and recap their 40 bold preseason predictions (19:01), following quick games of “2025 College World Series Starting Pitching Matchup or First Amendment Supreme Court Case” (2:58) and “Cedar Rapids Kernel or Character in the Star Wars Universe” (7:42).

Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to free agent draft episode
Link to draft history
Link to preseason predictions episode
Link to predictions game history
Link to EWStats site
Link to EWStats on Bluesky
Link to listener leaders
Link to Chris’s website
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben and Meg banter about the benefits of baseball supporting longer careers than some other sports (inspired by LeBron James becoming the first NBA player to make it to a 23rd season), the Mariners re-signing Josh Naylor, four free agents accepting qualifying offers, the Orioles and Angels swapping Grayson Rodriguez and Taylor Ward, whether teams will find/develop the next Kyle Hendricks, MLB’s unveiling of its new/old broadcast partners, and some news about the WPBL.

Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to LeBron gamer
Link to B-Ref seasons leaderboard
Link to FG post on Naylor
Link to Passan’s Pirates report
Link to We Tried Tracker return
Link to Baumann on the QOs
Link to over/under draft tracker
Link to FG post on O’s-Angels trade
Link to Judge’s former teammates
Link to Judge/Wade sighting
Link to xkcd comic
Link to Laurila on Hendricks
Link to Bloom quote
Link to Toboni quote
Link to Ben on Arraez
Link to MLB rights release
Link to Marchand on the rights deals
Link to Marchand on the rights deals 2
Link to WPBL news 1
Link to WPBL news 2
Link to Ben on the OWL
Link to Hot Stove League on Netflix
Link to initial praise of the show
Link to first recap pod
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben and Meg banter about Based Boras vs. Borscht Belt Boras and a few corny quips they overlooked, then discuss end-of-season awards (Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh, Paul Skenes vs. Cristopher Sánchez, Skenes as a paid pitchman, José Ramírez MVP shares, Shohei Ohtani’s dog vs. Judge’s dogs, repetition among award winners, groupthink among voters, WAR preference, bringing back old-school awards, and more) before touching on the news that Padres ownership is exploring a sale. Then (1:13:43) Michael Mountain joins Ben to Stat Blast about team rivalries.

Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Boras/exec comments
Link to BP Boras quip ranking
Link to AL MVP results
Link to Ben on Judge and Raleigh
Link to NL MVP results
Link to AL Cy results
Link to NL Cy results
Link to Skenes reaction
Link to Skenes reaction article
Link to Skenes Raising Cane’s spot
Link to Skenes on EW
Link to Posnanski on retro awards
Link to Ohtani dog video
Link to Judge dog video
Link to Baumann on voting and WAR
Link to award share wiki
Link to Ramírez award share
Link to pitch-fixing fallout article
Link to MLBTR on the Padres sale
Link to rivalry scores data
Link to CTV Barger video
Link to Mense hiring
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben and Meg banter about a hotel-lobby shrine to Addison Barger and Scott Boras wordplay at the GM meetings, Stat Blast (25:50) about Paul DePodesta’s comeback, POBO percentage, postseason questions, and Mike Greenwell, and (1:01:07) conduct the 11th annual free agent contract over/under draft, plus a Boras postscript.

Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”

Link to Barger story
Link to Marriott love story
Link to Boras quote round-up
Link to Boras on Skubal
Link to Boras on Alonso
Link to Boras on Bregman
Link to Boras on Bellinger
Link to Boras on Kim
Link to Boras on EW
Link to Ben on the Rockies
Link to over/under draft history
Link to MLBTR Top 50 FA
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben and Meg break down the federal indictment of Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz, including the documentary and statistical evidence of their alleged pitch-fixing, the implications for the sport and sports gambling, the unanswered questions, the dark comedy, and more (plus a real-time reaction to an MLB betting reform and an answer to an email about parenting in the age of ubiquitous sports-betting ads).

Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”

Link to government press release
Link to indictment
Link to NBA story
Link to Ben’s article
Link to pitches reel
Link to Shoeless Joe info 1
Link to Shoeless Joe info 2
Link to MLB press release
Link to Pages pitch
Link to postseason pitch
Link to Secret Santa sign-up

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Ben and Meg banter about the Rockies reportedly hiring Paul DePodesta as their new head of baseball operations, another managerial hiring, MLB’s World Series ratings bonanza, the resurgence of the splitter, the Royals extending Salvador Perez, and more. Then (44:30) they bring on Ben Clemens to discuss his ranking of this offseason’s top 50 free agents, the strengths and weaknesses of the class as a whole, some notable free agents from Kyle Tucker on down, players he’s high/low on, and how the specter of a future work stoppage might affect this hot stove season.

Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on DePobo
Link to report on “finalists”
Link to Colorado tax measure
Link to Passan’s Stammen tweet
Link to Tingler report
Link to WBC exhibitions
Link to MLB ratings release
Link to article on Canadian ratings
Link to MLB/NBA ratings comparison
Link to Sarris on splitters
Link to Andrews on splitters
Link to splitter usage by year
Link to Neyer on splitters/forkballs
Link to Salvy extension post
Link to MLBPA investigation story
Link to banned agent story
Link to Other Ben’s FA ranking
Link to MLBTR on Bieber
Link to Tango on Bieber
Link to Secret Santa sign-up
Link to Plot Hole or Not Hole

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