Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s surprise marriage announcement (5:15), and Portia of Ohtani fan account @shoheisaveus returns (18:13) to tell Ben how the news was received by the Shobae community. Then Ben and Meg Stat Blast (36:49) about the biggest year-to-year changes in WAR produced by different players who wore the same uniform number for the same team, preview the 2024 Philadelphia Phillies (44:20) with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, and preview the 2024 Los Angeles Angels (1:21:51) with The Athletic’s Sam Blum.
2024 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG

Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny Version)”
Audio interstitial 2: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to thread on Cal’s stats
Link to anti-Streak take
Link to owner Cal article
Link to Ohtani’s Insta post
Link to Portia’s first appearance
Link to Ohtani comments
Link to Ichiro dog secrecy
Link to Matsui marriage
Link to Matsui wife drawing
Link to “Ohtani loss” tweet
Link to other Ohtani tweet
Link to John on Ed Sullivan
Link to Dozier tweet
Link to Stat Blast data
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to Phillies offseason tracker
Link to Phillies depth chart
Link to Matt’s Athletic archive
Link to himbo article 1
Link to himbo article 2
Link to Harper offer report
Link to Harper extension article
Link to Matt on Realmuto
Link to Tango on Realmuto’s framing
Link to Eno on Dombrowski pens
Link to Laurila on Dombrowski pens
Link to Sam on Bryant
Link to Moreno report
Link to Angels offseason tracker
Link to Angels depth chart
Link to Sam on Percival
Link to Sam on Rendon
Link to EW on Rendon
Link to Sam’s Athletic archive
Link to Sam on broadcasts
Link to Sam on Schanuel
Link to FG top 100
Link to MLB top 100
Link to BP farm rankings
Link to Soto/Bradley report

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cubs signing Cody Bellinger, Scott Boras’s offseason, and what Bryce Harper’s walk year could portend for Juan Soto’s. Then (33:27) Ben and Meg talk to Ben Kramer and Robert Toner of the Anchorage Sports Association about the Fur Rendezvous Festival snowshoe softball tournament and the finer points of playing softball in several feet of Alaskan snow. Finally (1:00:16), Ben talks to former teammates, rivals, and big league backup-catching journeymen Ryan Lavarnway and Tim Federowicz about their uncannily parallel playing careers and the evolution and future of catching.

Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Jaffe on Bellinger
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Nightengale on Boras
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to quotes about Bellinger
Link to Boras study
Link to Boras on EW
Link to Soto play
Link to Ben on Harper
Link to Anchorage Sports Association
Link to Fur Rendezvous wiki
Link to snowshoe softball rules
Link to snowshoe baseball article
Link to clone post
Link to Lavarnway Stat Blast
Link to Federowicz highlight
Link to Lavarnway highlight
Link to Federowicz book
Link to Lavarnway book
Link to Lavarnway podcast
Link to Tanner Swanson on EW
Link to Maness interview

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Boras Four behind the scenes, Hyun Jin Ryu’s salary-cap-skirting KBO contract, and a study on the effectiveness of complaining about umps, plus a Stat Blast (22:51) about an inaccurate, unkillable Greg Maddux fun fact and more musings (34:52) on transparent pants. Then they preview the 2024 Minnesota Twins (41:02) with The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, and the 2024 Detroit Tigers (1:12:50) with The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen.
2024 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG

Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Davy Andrews, “Edouard Julien, Are You Gonna Rule Again?”
Audio interstitial 2: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on the Boras Four
Link to article about Boras
Link to Boras facilities
Link to Ryu tweet
Link to Ryu article
Link to MLBTR on Judge offer
Link to Harper offer report
Link to Kovalchuk veto
Link to Yoo’s EW appearance
Link to umpire study
Link to EW on ump decision fatigue
Link to Boone EW hypothetical
Link to Ryan’s Maddux fact thread
Link to Maddux’s count splits
Link to Maddux Stat Blast data
Link to Maddux scouting reports
Link to Maddux 93 mph claim
Link to MLB pants statement
Link to Twins offseason tracker
Link to Diamondbacks depth chart
Link to Pohlad comments
Link to Aaron’s Athletic archive
Link to Gleeman and the Geek
Link to Tigers offseason tracker
Link to Tigers depth chart
Link to Cody on engagements
Link to Cody’s Athletic archive
Link to Skubal fWAR leaderboard
Link to article on MLB exec fashion
Link to Turning the Corner

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s semi-transparent-pants problem and the Nike/Fanatics uniform mess that’s swallowed spring training, a “down the dick” etymology follow-up, Kodai Senga’s injury, Mitch Keller’s extension, the Marlins signing Tim Anderson, and a minor league free agent draft update. Then they preview the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks (38:13) with The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro and the 2024 Milwaukee Brewers (1:10:18) with The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg.
2024 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG

Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”
Audio interstitial 1: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Lukas unis FAQ
Link to Lukas on the pants
Link to Lukas’s letter to Nike
Link to player comments
Link to Kepner on the unis
Link to Clark’s comments
Link to The Atlantic on the unis
Link to ESPN on the pants
Link to Zimmer’s WSJ archive
Link to MLBTR on Senga
Link to Sheehan on Senga
Link to MLBTR on Keller
Link to FG on Keller
Link to The Athletic on Nutting
Link to MLBTR on Anderson
Link to MLBTR on Urshela
Link to draft results
Link to Diamondbacks offseason tracker
Link to Diamondbacks depth chart
Link to Kendrick/Hall comments
Link to Nick’s azcentral.com archive
Link to Brewers offseason tracker
Link to Brewers depth chart
Link to Brewers renovation details
Link to Curt’s MJS archive
Link to quiet NBA game

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about recent headline-generating comments by Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, a Padres position change, and the possibility of another Ronald Acuña Jr. extension. Then (34:11) they bring on Patreon supporter Sean Saxe and answer listener emails (40:13) about the best substitute for Babe Ruth in a remake of The Sandlot, the expression “right down the dick,” elevated decibel levels at games, F1-style advance free-agent commitments for MLB players, and a leaguewide conspiracy to inflate one player’s performance, and then Stat Blast (1:17:14) about baseball teams in Midwestern cities, Corey Kluber and Opening Day starts in a pitcher’s final season, and whether switch-hitters and players who bat and throw from opposite sides age better than others.

Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Trout comments
Link to MLBTR on Trout
Link to Rendon comments
Link to previous Rendon pod
Link to Padres switch
Link to Merrill position article
Link to Acuña article
Link to FG on Sal Perez extension
Link to article on Austin loyalties
Link to Dickson definition
Link to Google Trends data
Link to NYT on loudness
Link to more on loudness
Link to Clair on walk-up songs
Link to Lewis Hamilton news
Link to listener emails database
Link to Middle West survey 1
Link to Middle West survey 2
Link to WSJ article
Link to Midwest map graphic
Link to Tex’s GitHub
Link to Tex’s Google Sheet
Link to article on Midwest Colorado
Link to Nevada pronunciation article
Link to article on Kluber’s start
Link to Opening Day starts data
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to 2018 Ohtani article
Link to Stroman workout article
Link to Judge on aging curves
Link to Judge on Twitter
Link to aging curve 1
Link to aging curve 2

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rob Manfred’s announcement that he’ll step down as commissioner after his current term. Then they preview the 2024 St. Louis Cardinals (26:01) with The Athletic’s Katie Woo and the 2024 Cleveland Guardians (1:09:24) with MLB.com’s Mandy Bell, plus a postscript (1:44:43).
2024 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG

Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Drellich on Manfred 1
Link to Drellich on Manfred 2
Link to Drellich on Manfred 3
Link to Cardinals offseason tracker
Link to Cardinals depth chart
Link to Mozeliak on Ks
Link to Katie’s Athletic archive
Link to Guardians offseason tracker
Link to Guardians depth chart
Link to eclipse opener news
Link to Mandy on the eclipse
Link to Ben on the 2017 eclipse
Link to Langs on Vogt
Link to payrolls page
Link to Mandy’s MLB.com archive
Link to article on Cavnar
Link to Ben on ex-player GMs
Link to Toronto Fogo page
Link to Toronto Fogo article
Link to article on Escobar

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about injuries at spring training (specifically the Orioles’) and Jorge Soler and the Giants’ offseason, Stat Blast (21:04) about Kenley Jansen and the age of active career leaders in pitching appearances and recording five or six hits in a game against five or six different pitchers, and then talk to FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen about his ranking of the top 100 (or 101) prospects in baseball.

Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to tweet about O’s injuries
Link to Ben on spring injuries
Link to FG post on Soler
Link to Stat Blast sheet 1
Link to Stat Blast sheet 2
Link to Alou game
Link to Oliver game
Link to Johnson game
Link to guest appearances sheet
Link to 2024 top 100
Link to ZiPS top 100
Link to “how’s my driving?” post
Link to Ben on prospect promotion
Link to Ben on pitching prospects

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a difference between baseball and football (as illustrated by the Super Bowl), the lowering of the limit on players per organization, and umpire Jen Pawol’s ascent toward the majors (and history). Then they preview the 2024 Texas Rangers (22:28) with MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry and the 2024 Chicago Cubs (56:31) with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma.
2024 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG

Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Ben’s podcast on trailers
Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki
Link to Cooper on roster rules
Link to Pawol article 1
Link to Pawol article 2
Link to Rangers offseason tracker
Link to Rangers depth chart
Link to Kennedi’s MLB.com archive
Link to Cubs offseason tracker
Link to Cubs depth chart
Link to Sahadev on Kanzler
Link to Sahadev’s The Athletic archive
Link to Pham tweet

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about former Mets GM Billy Eppler’s suspension for fabricating injuries, then Stat Blast (15:25) about players who amassed the most WAR for their secondary, tertiary, quaternary (etc.) teams, Hall of Famers who played with their hometown teams, and uniform numbers assigned to different players with the same surname on the same team. Then they preview the 2024 Boston Red Sox (33:13) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier and the 2024 San Diego Padres (1:16:44) with MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell.
2024 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG

Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Eppler press release
Link to The Athletic on Eppler
Link to Stat Blast sheet 1
Link to Stat Blast sheet 2
Link to Stat Blast sheet 3
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to Red Sox offseason tracker
Link to Red Sox depth chart
Link to Alex’s Boston Globe archive
Link to Padres offseason tracker
Link to Padres depth chart
Link to AJ’s MLB.com archive
Link to Opening Day boycott

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about surprising playoff odds, the Astros extending Jose Altuve (26:40), the Brewers signing Gary Sánchez (34:57), the forthcoming Netflix docuseries about the 2024 Red Sox (38:49), a baseball equivalent of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift (45:17), and how trailblazing former first-round draftee Carter Stewart has fared in Japan (55:29). Then (1:03:25) they talk to Paul Freedman, co-founder and CEO of Pioneer League expansion teams the Oakland Ballers and the Yolo High Wheelers, about his efforts to ensure the survival of professional baseball in Oakland in the likely absence of the A’s.

Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG’s playoff odds
Link to Ben Clemens on the odds
Link to PECOTA’s projected standings
Link to Ben L. on the O’s
Link to Baumann on Altuve
Link to Astros Altuve tweet
Link to story on Altuve and cheating
Link to Martino Altuve report
Link to banging data
Link to Clemens on Sánchez
Link to Netflix press release
Link to MLB.com on the doc
Link to Drive to Survive myth
Link to Ben on Swift
Link to Princiotti on Swift
Link to Swift/NFL story 1
Link to Swift/NFL story 2
Link to Swift/NFL story 3
Link to Swift/NFL story 4
Link to Kiley on Stewart in 2019
Link to Jim Allen on Stewart
Link to Manfred on streaming
Link to Nevada teacher lawsuit
Link to Manfred comments
Link to Las Vegas mayor comments
Link to Oakland mayor comments
Link to A’s Opening Day offer
Link to Ballers promo video
Link to Ballers website
Link to High Wheelers website
Link to Pioneer League wiki
Link to Oaklandside on the Ballers
Link to Mercury News on the Ballers
Link to A’s Coliseum veto
Link to Oakland Roots SC wiki

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley introduce the 12th annual Effectively Wild season preview series, then banter about the Royals extending Bobby Witt Jr., the Dodgers reuniting with Clayton Kershaw (and Ryan Brasier), the Red Sox (sort of) reuniting with Theo Epstein, and the latest hitter who’s converting to pitching. Then they preview the 2024 Miami Marlins (33:33) with Fish on First’s Kevin Barral and the 2024 New York Mets (1:09:12) with The Athletic’s Tim Britton.
2024 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG

Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Indoor Recess, “On-Field Mics”

Link to preview series wiki
Link to FG depth charts standings
Link to Dan S. on Witt
Link to MLBTR on Witt
Link to Baumann on Peralta
Link to MLBTR on Kershaw
Link to FG on Brasier
Link to info on Brasier’s cutter
Link to MLBTR on Peters
Link to Ben on Taylor Swift
Link to Caribbean Series wiki
Link to Marlins offseason tracker
Link to Marlins depth chart
Link to team SP projections
Link to team RP projections
Link to Fish on First
Link to Fish on First podcast
Link to Kevin’s Fish on First archive
Link to Mets offseason tracker
Link to Mets depth chart
Link to Mauricio ACL news
Link to 2023 framing leaders
Link to “transitory” comment
Link to Mets fan survey
Link to Tim’s The Athletic archive
Link to MLBTR on Altuve

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Corbin Burnes trade between the Orioles and Brewers, then (23:19) talk to 81-year-old Don Kessinger, former six-time All-Star shortstop for the Cubs, about being an amateur multi-sport star, learning to switch-hit after making the majors, playing in Sandy Koufax’s perfect game, hitting in the low-offense 1960s, facing Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson, doing Derek Jeter’s jump throw before Jeter did, being the American League’s last player-manager, the 1969 Cubs, his memories of Leo Durocher and Bill Veeck, Disco Demolition Night, being the father and grandfather, respectively, of big leaguers Keith Kessinger and Grae Kessinger, how pitching today compares to pitching during his era, and much more, plus (1:11:59) a few follow-ups.

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

Link to Ben Clemens on Burnes
Link to Logenhagen on Milwaukee
Link to FG SP depth charts
Link to Kessinger SABR bio
Link to more from SABR
Link to Prospect League page
Link to CICL wiki
Link to 1963 article
Link to Episode 1963
Link to perfect game call
Link to perfect game log
Link to perfect game wiki
Link to Kessinger vs. pitchers
Link to Cardboard Gods on Don
Link to retirement TV clip
Link to 1969 Cubs clip
Link to lowest K rates vs. Ryan
Link to Disco Demolition clip
Link to Mike Veeck on EW
Link to article on Don and Grae
Link to Grae highlights
Link to lowest-WAR 6-time AS
Link to MLBTR on Diekman
Link to Episode 2005
Link to MLBTR on Paxton

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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein and managing editor Patrick Dubuque banter about editing, discuss the Orioles’ impending change in ownership (10:25), examine the newly released Baseball Prospectus 2024 (22:01), and then play a guessing/Remembering Some Guys game in which they each read aloud book comments about six unidentified players apiece, pulled from the full 29-year run of BP Annuals (39:20).

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

Link to Baseball Prospectus 2024
Link to FG SP depth charts
Link to FG post on Burnes
Link to MLBTR on Rubenstein
Link to The Carlyle Group wiki
Link to Rob Mains on the sale
Link to The Athletic on the sale
Link to Tsao’s Wikipedia page
Link to Ben on bidets

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about what would happen if top prospects could promote themselves, the Mariners-Twins trade involving Jorge Polanco, Photoshop mockups of players in their new teams’ uniforms, Byron Buxton returning to center field, the Blue Jays signing Justin Turner, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as an MLB The Show cover model, the surprising aspects of the Hector Neris and Adam Ottavino signings, the Tigers’ Colt Keith extension, follow-ups on the death ball and a Dick Monfort body swap, and whether we need a central sports history authority to provide perspective on every sports controversy.

Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Morosi tweet
Link to marshmallow test article 1
Link to marshmallow test article 2
Link to marshmallow test article 2
Link to FG on the Polanco trade
Link to Twins depth chart
Link to Mariners depth chart
Link to Mariners’ Polanco tweet
Link to Mariners’ Taylor tweet
Link to Mariners’ Voth tweet
Link to Twins’ trade tweet
Link to Rosenthal on the Mariners
Link to airbrushed baseball cards
Link to Gleeman on the trade
Link to Falvey comments
Link to FG post on Julien
Link to Davy’s Julien song
Link to MLBTR on Buxton
Link to FG post on Turner
Link to ESPN on Vlad’s cover
Link to Sportsnet Vlad story
Link to FG post on Keith
Link to Tigers’ Keith tweet
Link to Sam on “seeking”
Link to tweet about Neris
Link to FG post on Neris
Link to Rosenthal on Neris
Link to MLBTR on Ottavino
Link to Becker tweet about Ottavino
Link to Seidler tweet about Ottavino
Link to Monfort email episode
Link to Barnwell on Campbell
Link to Florio on Campbell
Link to Kram on NBA scoring
Link to EW on running backs
Link to “arrow in the knee”
Link to Ben’s TLOU podcast
Link to Ben’s Palworld podcast
Link to MLBTR on the Orioles
Link to Rosenthal on the Orioles

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley unleash another rant about the Orioles’ inaction (prompted by Mike Elias quotes about their aggressiveness) and banter about the David Robertson and Joc Pederson signings and baseball in Masters of the Air, then (33:51) answer listener emails about whether the Diamondbacks still qualify as a young franchise, injury stoppage time in baseball, director’s cuts of baseball broadcasts, how baseball would be different if teams had to leave a player with the other team at the end of each series, and fixing the Rockies (plus a few follow-ups).

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Elias quotes
Link to FG SP projections
Link to Roster Resource payrolls
Link to earlier Orioles rant
Link to 30 Rock Sports Shouting clip
Link to Costanza clip
Link to MLBTR on Robertson
Link to MLBTR on Pederson
Link to EW Episode 2105
Link to Pederson poker article
Link to EW Episode 1856
Link to slap explainer
Link to Ben on Masters of the Air
Link to bowhead whale wiki
Link to Yankees on Kissinger
Link to EW Episode 2108
Link to EW Episode 2097
Link to Little Free Library
Link to Sam on the Rockies
Link to listener emails database
Link to Solak Stathead
Link to Orr on Abrams
Link to Abrams SB leaderboard
Link to EW Episode 1397
Link to Stripling clip
Link to Battleground wiki
Link to Ben on Palworld

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley follow up on the contract over/unders draft and the “death ball,” banter about the signings of Rhys Hoskins and Matt Moore, weigh their current confidence levels in the A’s actually moving to Las Vegas, and consider a suggestion for a “pulling the goalie”-style tweak to baseball. Then (35:44) they talk to leading Hall of Fame election forecaster Jason Sardell about how and why he developed his probabilistic Cooperstown projection model, how it works, this year’s results and surprises, the public-private ballot split, the toughest players to project, his Hall of Fame philosophy, the shrinking of the Hall of Fame backlog, upcoming candidates and ballots, his non-baseball scientific pursuits, and much more.

Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to over/under draft results
Link to MLBTR FA top 50
Link to death ball BP article
Link to Leo on average fastballs
Link to post on unique pitches
Link to Dead Man’s Curve wiki
Link to Davy Andrews on Hoskins
Link to Brewers offseason additions
Link to MLBTR on Moore
Link to BP’s 2012 Top 101
Link to Ben on pitching prospects
Link to 2023 team RP ranks
Link to A’s update
Link to A’s payments
Link to Vegas event video
Link to MLBTR on the A’s ballpark
Link to “consequences” tweet
Link to Meg on the penalty box
Link to Beltré video
Link to Mauer video
Link to Helton video
Link to Jason’s final projections
Link to 2024 projections roundup
Link to 2023 projections roundup
Link to voting results
Link to Jay’s ballot breakdown
Link to Lewie Pollis on the voting
Link to Wagner interview
Link to Stark on Wright
Link to Posnanski suggestion
Link to SIS on Sabathia
Link to ballot tracker
Link to Thibodaux on EW
Link to Jason on MLB Network
Link to Ben on Mauer in 2018
Link to Ben on Beltré in 2017
Link to Ben on Hall of Framers

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the “death ball,” a curveball variant that could be baseball’s next sweeper-esque pitch-design innovation, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of separate classifications for “new” pitches that are subsets of other pitches, and the importance of continuing education among fans and media members. Then (39:23) they talk about the Aroldis Chapman, John Brebbia, James Paxton, and Joey Gallo signings (with another contract over/unders draft update and a Clayton Kershaw check-in), the possibility that NPB phenom Roki Sasaki will come to MLB next offseason, Alex Blandino’s knuckleball conversion, a Willians Astudillo lowlight, and a player mercenary follow-up.

Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme (“We Looked Like Giants” cover)

Link to death ball BP article
Link to sweeper definition
Link to Passan on the death ball
Link to Tread video
Link to “Public Enemy No. 1”
Link to Ben on young newsbreakers
Link to Cotillo on EW
Link to FG on Chapman and Brebbia
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Pirates payroll page
Link to MLBTR on Paxton
Link to story on Paxton’s knee
Link to Paxton eagle incident
Link to MLBTR on Gallo
Link to Ben on Gallo in 2014
Link to “genericization” article
Link to Sasaki article
Link to MLBTR on Blandino
Link to Blandino knuckler
Link to Blandino throwing 90
Link to Jannis EW interview
Link to Ben on knuckleballs
Link to Astudillo drop
Link to game outcome
Link to Astudillo HR robbery
Link to Astudillo in center
Link to Astudillo draft article
Link to other Astudillo draft article
Link to Farnsworth revenge article
Link to HoF voting results

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the offseason doldrums and this winter’s free-agent activity compared to last year’s, the Josh Hader and Robert Stephenson signings (with a contract over/under draft update), a bleak week in sports (and non-sports) media, pitcher/catcher technique and the automated strike zone, and the invasion of players named Jackson, followed by Stat Blasts (1:14:48) about Hader’s strikeout splits by out count, “minimum journeymen,” the longest palindromic win-loss sequences, and the most consecutive games started at catcher.

Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Lobner Facebook post
Link to Jake/Jordan FA tweet
Link to MLBTR on Graveman
Link to MLBTR on Hader
Link to MLBTR on Uwasawa
Link to MLBTR on Stephenson
Link to RP K% post-6/2
Link to over/under draft results
Link to The Ringer on SI
Link to apocalypse sign article
Link to The Atlantic on Pitchfork
Link to L.A. Times layoffs story
Link to Axios on media layoffs
Link to Defector on VC greed
Link to The Nation on ESPN/NFL
Link to Tango on intended location
Link to Ben on Lincecum in 2014
Link to Eno on command in 2018
Link to Tango on catcher location
Link to Tango on catcher lunges
Link to Tango on framing
Link to EW Episode 2054
Link to EW Episode 1851
Link to BA on Jacksons
Link to Jackson baby name data
Link to strikeout splits Stathead
Link to leaguewide strikeout splits
Link to minimum journeymen sheet
Link to palindrome Reddit question
Link to palindromic records sheet
Link to C start streak sheet
Link to C start % averages
Link to catcher ironmen page
Link to FG post on qualified catchers
Link to Ben on catcher fatigue
Link to study on player rest
Link to FG post on qualified catchers
Link to Stat Blast on qualified hitters
Link to Frankie Hayes SABR bio
Link to Young Sheldon spinoff story
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to all Stat Blast covers

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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Patreon supporter Nick Taber banter about Nick’s baseball background and MLB’s most hated teams, then (19:41) answer listener emails about baseball’s newsbreakers as secret newsmakers, a baseball mercenary who plays for multiple teams in the same city (or who has it out for one particular opponent), whether we would remember the year with the last perfect game, making early playoff rounds longer than late rounds, a player whose stats improve depending on how much money he’s paid, allowing teams to choose the number of defenders in the field, picking the preferred way for Shohei Ohtani to specialize (if he had to choose one), a super-philanthropic free agent, and more.

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

Link to Cowboys collapse article
Link to Coover book wiki
Link to “sports are rigged” account
Link to Shams/Woj moves
Link to EW Episode 2109
Link to Germán perfecto wiki
Link to more on Germán
Link to EW Episode 2108
Link to Neil Paine research
Link to Ben on innings eating
Link to Kershaw perfecto game
Link to Boras World Series proposal
Link to Jeff on baseball LeBron
Link to 1892 pitching proposal
Link to Ohtani donation
Link to 2020 donations article 1
Link to 2020 donations article 2
Link to 2020 donations article 3
Link to 2020 donations article 4
Link to 2020 donations article 5
Link to listener emails database
Link to Mario Superstar Baseball info
Link to Mario Superstar Baseball Discord

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about where Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger should/will sign, excoriate the Orioles for their offseason inaction, marvel at Alex Anthopoulos’s lengthy extension, discuss the Giants’ Jordan Hicks signing as part of a trend toward reliever-starter reverse conversions, consider the etymology of “innings eater” and how pitcher usage is like scripted TV, and reflect on the decline of foreign hitters in NPB, Naoyuki Uwasawa and the recruiting advantage of teams that excel at player development, and a quirk of contract milestones.

Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Geddy Lee baseball wiki
Link to 2112 wiki
Link to MLBTR on Snell
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Sam on contract-seeking
Link to Heyman report
Link to MLBTR on the O’s
Link to Roster Resource payrolls
Link to team SP projections
Link to O’s lease extension
Link to O’s contract commitments
Link to Angelos/MLK Day post
Link to O’s DR academy
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Anthopolous extension news
Link to Atlanta’s long-term contracts
Link to MLBTR on Rodríguez
Link to Stat Blast on innings eating
Link to Ben’s article on innings eating
Link to Young Sheldon ratings
Link to Suits article
Link to TV procedurals article
Link to Daniel Okrent wiki
Link to Okrent EW appearance
Link to 1884 article
Link to Lucas Borja tweet
Link to Yakyu Cosmopolitan tweet
Link to Ben on NPB import scouting
Link to MLBTR on Uwasawa signing
Link to Uwasawa report
Link to Ben on the Dodgers advantage
Link to Dodgers pitching lab article
Link to Trueblood tweet

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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and listener Michael Mountain banter about Michael’s proposal for Effectively Wild listener ballpark meetups during the 2024 MLB season, followed by (7:24) Michael’s guest Stat Blasts about the best non-award-winning players, his all-time player tiers, and Hall of Famers (and HoF candidates) who excelled or flopped at leading their leagues at their respective positions. Then (36:17) Ben and Meg talk to Brian Moritz about his prediction/warning that a major sports-betting journalism scandal could be coming.

Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to listener-meetup form
Link to Michael on Episode 1263
Link to undecorated players sheet
Link to EW Episode 964
Link to Bill James proposal
Link to reworked tiers
Link to league leaders sheet
Link to Hall of Stats shutdown
Link to Eight Men Out wiki
Link to Brian’s Nieman Lab piece
Link to Brian’s 2022 piece
Link to Brian at St. Bonaventure
Link to Sports Media Guy
Link to WSJ on journalist inside info
Link to story on BBWAA rules
Link to story on ESPN rules
Link to story on Chams
Link to newsroom betting policies
Link to tweet about Curb betting
Link to “fading” definition
Link to MLBTR on Stroman
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Ben on arbitration
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to all Stat Blast covers

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s unlikely recovery in the contracts over/under draft, the Cubs signing Shota Imanaga, the trailblazing Rachel Balkovec moving from the dugout to the Marlins’ front office, and (18:37) whether the new horror film Night Swim is a baseball movie. Then (35:53) they talk to Oakland A’s All-Star Brent Rooker about breakfast foods, a potential new nickname, Night Swim, embracing advanced stats, player perceptions of luck, looking at his exit velo instead of his batted balls, whether he had help in homering off of Shohei Ohtani, underrated teammates, his breakouts in college and the majors, shedding the “Quadruple-A” label, DH penalties, being funny and informative on Twitter, fans complaining about losing bets, self-deprecating athletes, unusual meals, recalling pitch sequences, crossword puzzles, kids’ movies, and more.

Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to over/under draft results
Link to MLBTR on Imanaga
Link to Baumann on Imanaga
Link to Longenhagen on Imanaga
Link to FG FA Top 50
Link to Ben on festival posters
Link to MLB.com on Balkovec
Link to article on Goodrum
Link to story on female ump
Link to Baseball: The Movie
Link to Surrey on Night Swim
Link to Polygon on Night Swim
Link to Night Swim Reddit post
Link to May’s insurance video
Link to Night Swim trailer
Link to Rooker’s Twitter
Link to Rooker’s breakfast thread
Link to Rooker breakfast interview
Link to Skalka menu
Link to khachapuri wiki
Link to “Country Breakfast” story
Link to Rooker and Zach Bryan
Link to homer off of Ohtani
Link to Renfroe assist comment
Link to DH penalty research
Link to Defector on 2020 debuts
Link to “random at-bats” tweet
Link to the random at-bat
Link to Rooker’s single
Link to favorite metrics tweet
Link to sweepers tweet 1
Link to sweepers tweet 2
Link to velo vs. location tweet
Link to dad tweet
Link to parlay-complaint tweet
Link to thread on data
Link to TTO% leaderboard
Link to May on Fisher
Link to Gauci hiring story
Link to Gauci EW episode
Link to vertical baseball details
Link to Interstellar clip

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Teoscar Hernández signing with the Dodgers, how other teams can compete with L.A., and the Mets signing Sean Manaea. Then (33:07) they answer listener emails about whether the Royals or Tigers will win more games in 2024, the basis for believing the Cardinals will bounce back from their last-place finish, a Tom Brady baseball commercial, whether Shohei Ohtani could have resurrected the Expos, whether a free agent could sign with a different team every game, the perfect mistake hitter, a baseball version of K-pop communication, and two games played on top of each other.

Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Teoscar’s signing
Link to over/under draft results
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to Dodgers ZiPS
Link to Clemens on Manaea
Link to MLB.com on Manaea
Link to MLBTR on the Mets
Link to FG depth charts projections
Link to SP depth charts projections
Link to MLBTR on Bloom
Link to Brady ad
Link to article on Brady and baseball
Link to Orr on crushing pitches
Link to baseball on Cameo
Link to K-pop fan apps guide
Link to vertical baseball diagram
Link to EW emails database
Link to tax loophole article

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about multiple Mariners trades and follow up on a previous conversation about teams with the most work to do before Opening Day, then (21:07) talk to Pebble Hunting author (and former host) Sam Miller about what (if anything!) will be best remembered about the 2023 baseball season.

Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to first Mariners trade
Link to second Mariners trade
Link to WWJDD song (short)
Link to WWJDD song (long)
Link to Pebble Hunting
Link to Sam on 2023
Link to Sam on past years
Link to Sam on 2017
Link to New Yorker cover
Link to New Yorker yips story
Link to HUaL on 2023
Link to Paul vs. Diaz wiki
Link to Sam on Turner
Link to FG on October SB
Link to Lewie Pollis on Counsell
Link to Dolly wiki
Link to Renfroe catch
Link to Sam on that catch
Link to Sam on the Mitchell catch
Link to Giants-Dodgers play
Link to Raley play
Link to Trout hypotheticals

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the cruelty of the gift Ben gave his Effectively Wild Secret Santa recipient, which MLB team has the most pressure on it to finish the offseason strong (15:23), Chris Sale’s extension, and the Mets signing Harrison Bader. Then (36:36) they answer listener emails about which mascots would be the tastiest to eat, the NPB spectator experience, whether Shohei Ohtani could get hurt in a way that would prevent him from hitting but not from pitching, eliminating guaranteed playoff berths for division winners, and removing fielders as a penalty for pulling starting pitchers.

Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to gift Ben received
Link to gift Ben gave
Link to N616RH story
Link to Imanaga rumors
Link to Snell rumor
Link to Atkins comments
Link to Baumann on the Cubs
Link to Red Sox offseason story
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Eric André meme
Link to Sale extension details
Link to Bader signing details
Link to FanGraphs editor listing
Link to MLB mascots page
Link to mascots wiki
Link to Pop-Tarts Bowl meme
Link to Seinfeld clip
Link to NPB fan cheering
Link to Sam on Gsellman
Link to EW Episode 2093
Link to Sheehan on the AL Central
Link to Ben on pitcher roster limits
Link to listener emails database

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap news and transactions from over the holidays, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s thoughts on San Francisco and Yu Darvish’s thoughts on the Dodgers signing his WBC teammates, the Mariners signing Mitch Garver, the Reds signing Frankie Montas, a smattering of Blue Jays and White Sox signings, the Estevan Florial trade, and the retirement of Andrelton Simmons. Then (49:19) they discuss the Lucas Giolito signing and the Chris Sale trade before segueing into a Stat Blast (1:07:05) about the evolution of starting-pitcher workloads, volume vs. efficiency, and what an “innings eater” is in 2024.

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

Link to EW Episode 2102
Link to Yamamoto comment
Link to story about sad Darvish
Link to Garver FG post
Link to Krall comment
Link to offseason spending leaders
Link to Jays signings FG post
Link to Florial FG post
Link to Simmons Stathead query
Link to Simmons highlights video
Link to DRS leaders
Link to Sale FG post
Link to Sale BP post
Link to Baumann on Braves trades
Link to Nightengale tweet
Link to FG SP depth charts
Link to Cora on Sale
Link to Sox spending report
Link to Ben on Sale in 2018
Link to 2023 IP leaders
Link to Passan Civale tweet
Link to Dan S. tweet
Link to Trueblood on volume
Link to Tango on quantity/quality
Link to Mains on pitching/payrolls
Link to Jennings on innings eaters
Link to Ben’s Stat Blast exhibits
Link to Ben on pitcher roster limits
Link to Sale 2022 meltdown
Link to punching bag video
Link to Sale scissors incident
Link to 1996 Park story
Link to EW Episode 2104
Link to Stat Blast song cover
Link to all Stat Blast covers

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Ben Lindbergh is joined by Hannah Keyser and Zach Crizer, formerly of Yahoo Sports and the Bandwagon podcast, to discuss at least one listener-nominated, previously overlooked topic from 2023 about each MLB team.

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

Link to The Bandwagon
Link to Hannah’s Yahoo archive
Link to Zach’s Yahoo archive
Link to Zach’s website
Link to Votto tweet
Link to Yamamoto comment
Link to links/notes spreadsheet

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With this year’s MLB free agent market enlivened by international players, Ben Lindbergh talks to three guests about three baseball-rich countries. First, Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency joins to discuss the response in South Korea to Jung Hoo Lee 이정후’s signing, Shin-Soo Choo 추신수’s forthcoming retirement, the legendary career of Choi Dong-won, and the ongoing reckoning with bullying in the KBO and Korean culture at large. Then (44:21) Ben talks to NPB historian Rob Fitts about trailblazing Japanese pitchers Eiji Sawamura and Masanori Murakami, and how baseball would be different if Japanese players had entered MLB earlier. Lastly (1:12:02), Ben brings on Sami Khan, co-director of The Last Out, a documentary about three Cuban players who hoped to make the majors, to discuss their harrowing defections and how a talent exodus affected Cuban baseball.

Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Yoo on Lee
Link to Yoo on Lee 2
Link to Yoo on Lee 3
Link to Yoo on Lee 4
Link to Yoo on Choo
Link to Yoo on Fedde
Link to other Fedde article
Link to Choi Dong-won wiki
Link to Choi Dong-won Award wiki
Link to Yoo on An’s bullying
Link to Yoo on An 2
Link to An scouting report
Link to info on Babcock firing
Link to info on Peters firing
Link to volleyball twins article
Link to K-pop bullies
Link to Mel Hall article
Link to Mel Hall wiki
Link to Rakuten bullying
Link to Stove League EW wiki
Link to stream Stove League
Link to translators EW episode
Link to baseball deadening article
Link to KBO rules changes
Link to Yomiuri baseball cheers
Link to Rob’s website
Link to Rob’s SABR page
Link to Sawamura wiki
Link to Sawamura Award wiki
Link to posting system explainer
Link to EW Episode 1311
Link to EW Episode 1621
Link to EW Episode 1816
Link to Sugar wiki
Link to Ballplayer: Pelotero wiki
Link to Cuba-NPB/KBO article
Link to post on Rodríguez defection
Link to article on Rodríguez FA
Link to article on Arocha
Link to The Last Out trailer
Link to The Last Out website
Link to Q&A with the doc stars
Link to ESPN on Dominguez
Link to article on Cuban baseball decline
Link to ESPN on Cuba and the WBC
Link to wet feet, dry feet wiki
Link to 2018 MLB deal
Link to scuttled MLB deal

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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 11th 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 2024.

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

Link to list of minor league FA
Link to Down on the Farm explainer
Link to BA on MiLB FA hitters
Link to last year’s draft
Link to competitions/drafts sheets
Link to EW wiki on draft history
Link to this draft’s results

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Ben Lindbergh and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein discuss all the fallout from the Dodgers’ record-breaking signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, including how it affects fan perceptions of the Dodgers, whether it’s good for MLB to have a heel, whether there’s a more virtuous way to win, the terms of the contract and their expectations for Yamamoto, whether the Dodgers will make even more moves, the impact on the teams that missed out on Yamamoto, and much more.

Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to “most important signing”
Link to Craig on Yamamoto
Link to Craig on Glasnow
Link to Eric on Yamamoto
Link to previous EW on Yamamoto
Link to FG payroll page
Link to Dodgers depth chart
Link to Dodgers contracts list
Link to Eno on Yamamoto
Link to Rosenthal on Yamamoto
Link to Rosenthal on other offers
Link to Harris on Ohtani’s deal
Link to story on Dodgers spending
Link to Passan on Yamamoto
Link to criminals spreadsheet
Link to Ben on Japanese pitchers
Link to Ben on Mookie
Link to Ben on October Dodgers
Link to Kram on October Dodgers
Link to Ben on spending/winning
Link to Ardaya on Syndergaard
Link to Sam on sad Kershaw
Link to Zimmerman on pitcher height
Link to Grant on Yamamoto
Link to Berman tweet
Link to Giants’ Ohtani offer
Link to article on Red Sox
Link to Five and Dive
Link to PECOTA release
Link to Baseball Byways blog
Link to Arenado article

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether MLB should implement an NHL-esque holiday transaction freeze, then (5:53) answer listener emails about Bryce Harper, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and tampering, abandoning the Angels, what to do after visiting every MLB and MiLB ballpark, when the last-place finishers of 2023 will be 90-win true-talent teams, “prep” prospects, valuing a player with a knack for inspirational speeches, and applying a college-football-style playoff-selection process to MLB, followed by Stat Blasts (1:12:29) about Bobo Newsom and the most inveterate team-changers, a 13-year-old Ben’s all-time Yankees lineup, and whether the balanced schedule contributed to 2023’s MLB attendance boost.

Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to tweet about transaction freeze
Link to Harper/Trout tampering
Link to Major League Rules
Link to Ortiz tampering
Link to Judge/Machado tampering
Link to FG on legalizing tampering
Link to Harper/Stanton tweets
Link to EW Episode 1053
Link to EW on abandoning the A’s
Link to Negro Leagues parks
Link to EW Episode 419
Link to BaseRuns records
Link to You’re Wrong About pod
Link to Decoder Ring pod
Link to Heyward speech info
Link to Ohtani speech info
Link to CFB selection explainer
Link to Florida State snub explainer
Link to listener emails database
Link to EW Episode 1780
Link to Bobo SABR bio
Link to Bobo book bio
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to team-changing leaderboard
Link to 2009 study on turnover rates
Link to Ben on turnover rates
Link to Ben’s pottery plaque
Link to Yankees 1B WAR leaders
Link to Yankees 2B WAR leaders
Link to Yankees SS WAR leaders
Link to Yankees 3B WAR leaders
Link to Yankees C WAR leaders
Link to Yankees LF WAR leaders
Link to Yankees CF WAR leaders
Link to Yankees RF WAR leaders
Link to Yankees P WAR leaders
Link to Crosetti SABR bio
Link to Meusel SABR bio
Link to Mary Miner obit
Link to July attendance convo
Link to attendance data
Link to Chris Hanel tweets

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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, FanGraphs’ Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens, and Chris Hanel play a quick round of “College Baseball Player or U.S. Space Shuttle Astronaut,” banter about the Braves’ series of recent, red-paper-clip-style trades (5:21) and the Diamondbacks re-signing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (14:13), and then revisit, dissect, and score their bold preseason predictions from March (16:22).

Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to “I’m Just Ken”
Link to Atlanta’s transaction tracker
Link to Atlanta’s offseason tracker
Link to payrolls page
Link to Dan S. on Gurriel
Link to predictions episode
Link to predictions and scoring
Link to prediction success rate
Link to Vogelbach ad
Link to story on media gambling
Link to story on BBWAA/betting
Link to story on Gallen bird
Link to story on Brennan bird
Link to story on media gambling
Link to Volpe parm story
Link to Stigler’s law wiki

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s introductory press conference and getting closure on contract/canine questions, the audience verdict on how to handle Ohtani in the free-agent-contract over/under draft (20:22), the Dodgers-Rays Tyler Glasnow trade (32:09), the latest Royals signings (Michael Wacha, Hunter Renfroe), the Tigers adding Jack Flaherty, and the AL Central, Max Scherzer, Tyler Mahle, and the Rangers rotation, and Buster Posey’s comments about free agents being wary of San Francisco (1:01:30), plus a Stat Blast (1:09:49) about the longest gap between being minor league teammates and becoming big league teammates, and an Andre Braugher baseball rec (1:27:31).

Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to article on Ohtani’s elbow
Link to article on Ohtani’s dog
Link to Ohtani’s dog answer
Link to Portia EW interview
Link to info on negotiations
Link to “key man” clause
Link to Lindsey on the dog
Link to Ohtani on SNLA
Link to over/under draft wiki
Link to Rosenthal/Drellich article
Link to Sam Blum on Ohtani/Angels
Link to article on Ohtani/Glasnow
Link to Clemens on Glasnow
Link to Sam on the trade tree
Link to Laurila on Picollo
Link to Baumann on Mahle
Link to Posey’s comments
Link to Morgan/Burgmeier article
Link to Phillips/Raines article
Link to Kenny Jackelen’s Twitter
Link to Robinson in the Army
Link to Robinson movie on YouTube
Link to Robinson movie on IMDb
Link to Robinson book

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley call for a listener referendum on how to treat Shohei Ohtani’s unprecedented contract in the EW free-agent-contract over/under draft, then (20:43) banter about the Royals’ recent pitching additions and a wizardly Will Smith. After that (33:32), they talk to FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen about the players from Asian leagues who have enlivened the MLB free-agent market (including reports on new Giants addition Jung Hoo Lee 이정후, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, Yuki Matsui, and Yariel Rodríguez), Eric’s process for evaluating international players, how perceptions of Asian leagues’ strengths and top talents have evolved, Erick Fedde and other players who’ve improved after going overseas, the best Asian players who are still years away from MLB, stylistic differences among leagues, and more.

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

Link to vote on the Ohtani contract
Link to latest over/under draft
Link to over/under draft wiki
Link to EW drafts/competitions sheet
Link to AP on Ohtani’s deal
Link to L.A. Times on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Sportico on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Clemens on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Zaidi on Ohtani
Link to FG post on Royals signings
Link to FG SP depth charts
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Gonny Jomes wiki
Link to article on Smith’s streak
Link to article on Hinske’s streak
Link to article on swimming witches
Link to wizard vs. warlock
Link to Lee cheer song
Link to EW guest appearance data
Link to DeltaGraphs
Link to Ben on DeltaGraphs
Link to Synergy Sports
Link to Eric on Lee
Link to SIS on Lee
Link to study on velocity splits
Link to SIS on Yamamoto
Link to info on Yamamoto meeting
Link to Eric on Fedde
Link to Bannister on Fedde
Link to Jyun Yue Tseng news
Link to Davenport on league strength
Link to Ben on NPB teams’ scouting
Link to Eric’s Board update

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Facebook Group
 Twitter Account
 EW Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)
 Get Our Merch!
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the implications of Shohei Ohtani’s unprecedentedly deferred contract structure, whether the Ohtani signing and Juan Soto trade portend MLB imbalance driven by the bursting cable bundle (21:42), whether the Dodgers will ever be bad again (28:06), media hang-wringing over Friday’s false reports (35:58), and the Tyler O’Neill trade (42:57). Then they talk to John DeMarsico, SNY Mets game director and cinephile, about how he’s applied his affinity for film to baseball, the behind-the-scenes mechanics and rhythms of baseball broadcasts, what makes baseball so tough to televise, innovative technology and techniques, showing more of exciting plays, copying and being copied, Gary, Keith, and Ron, the use of stats and graphics, baseball movies, and more (47:45).

Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Fabian’s Ohtani report
Link to more from Fabian
Link to Ben on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Lindsey on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Baumann on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Becker on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Becker’s contract math
Link to Tim Dierkes on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Rob Mains on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Tom Verducci on Ohtani’s deal
Link to Adam Morris on Ohtani’s deal
Link to FG MLB payroll page
Link to L.A. Times on Ohtani
Link to Jack Harris tweet
Link to Clemens on the cable bubble
Link to Sheehan on the cable bubble
Link to info on Dodgers RSN
Link to Ben on L.A. in 2015
Link to Nightengale on the media
Link to “Vivaldi” tweet
Link to Dodgers Nation post
Link to flight-tracking info
Link to Wired on flight-tracking
Link to Baumann on O’Neill
Link to EW Episode 2033
Link to EW Episode 2035
Link to Rangers-Rays play
Link to Sam on the play
Link to Díaz entrance video
Link to Showalter/Tarantino video
Link to SNY pitch clock video
Link to SNY “ghost runner” video
Link to SNY BTS “ghost runner” video
Link to NYT on DeMarsico
Link to Newsday on DeMarsico
Link to NY Mag on DeMarsico
Link to DeMarsico on Letterboxd