Evaluating Player Performance and Strategies in Baseball

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the expanded playoffs may suppress trade activity and, prompted by the passing of Ryne Sandberg, the factors that can make a player punch above their weight from a popularity perspective. Then (31:47) they answer listener emails about triples hitting, Bryce Harper vs. José Ramírez, the effect of gray hairs on free agency, football body comps for baseball players, “first half” vs. “second half,” change-of-scenery candidates, perfection for hitters, the language of WAR, scouting trade candidates, framing a player for pitch-fixing, early/late-season platoon players, outfielders lying down on the job, and Aaron Judge’s BABIP (plus a reaction to Rich Hill’s DFA).

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

Link to Ben C. on expanded playoffs
Link to Dan S. on expanded playoffs
Link to Paine on the deadline
Link to Sandberg NYT obit
Link to Sandberg Stat Blast
Link to “Sandberg Game” video
Link to triples Stathead
Link to Stark on future HoFers
Link to Wilkins kiss story
Link to info on Day’s beard
Link to post-ASB split 1
Link to post-ASB split 2
Link to splits spreadsheet
Link to Ben on the foul lines
Link to Russell on outfield defense 1
Link to Russell on outfield defense 2
Link to Russell on outfield defense 3
Link to doubleheader trade
Link to Szymborski on Judge
Link to Petriello on Judge
Link to Savant xBABIP
Link to listener emails database

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