Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast cover image

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2109: And Teoscar Goes To…

Jan 9, 2024
Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers player who recently signed with the team, discusses his one-year deal with the Dodgers and its impact on his future earnings. The podcast also explores the challenges teams face in competing with the dominant Los Angeles Dodgers. Other interesting topics include strategies for pitching to ownership groups and free agents, the offseason moves of the Royals and Tigers, a hypothetical scenario of playing multiple games simultaneously, and the concept of K-pop style communication for MLB players.
01:39:22

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Cardinals' poor 2023 season may not guarantee a bounce-back in 2024, but factors such as playing in a division that requires fewer wins and expecting improved defensive performance and offensive production from key players indicate potential improvement for the team.
  • In a hypothetical scenario where Tom Brady played baseball instead of football, the Expos could have achieved considerable success at the expense of the Red Sox, potentially diminishing their championship wins and impacting the careers of players like Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz.

Deep dives

The Potential Impact of an Expos Tom Brady on the Boston Red Sox

In a fictional universe where Tom Brady played his entire career with the Expos instead of pursuing his legendary NFL career, the landscape of Boston sports would undoubtedly be different. The assumption that the Cardinals' poor 2023 season will automatically lead to a bounce-back in 2024 may not be given a hard look. However, there are a few factors that could point to an improved performance.

First, it's important to note that the Cardinals play in the NL Central, a division that historically requires fewer wins to secure a division crown. This could provide a slight advantage for the Cardinals in terms of their postseason chances.

Secondly, defensive metrics suggest that the Cardinals' poor fielding performance in 2023 was an anomaly. The team has typically been a strong defensive unit, and it's reasonable to expect improvement in that area.

Additionally, the Cardinals' zips projections anticipate a bounce-back in offensive production from key players like Paul Goldschmidt. While age-related decline is a consideration, there are reasons to believe that certain players could improve their performance in 2024.

It's worth noting that the Tom Brady Expos Tops commercial adds an intriguing layer to the discussion. In this alternate universe, the Expos achieve considerable success, possibly at the expense of the Boston Red Sox.

Considering all these factors, it's reasonable to believe that the St. Louis Cardinals will be better in 2024. While a full return to dominance cannot be guaranteed, there are enough signs to suggest an improved performance for the team.

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