Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2355: Touch of Gray

8 snips
Jul 30, 2025
The hosts discuss how expanded playoffs might dampen trade activity and pay tribute to the impactful legacy of Ryne Sandberg. They dive into listener questions about player fame, comparing Bryce Harper and José Ramírez, while humorously dissecting the effects of aging on player perceptions, like gray hair. The talk shifts to how 'change of scenery' can affect performance and touches on quirky player dynamics and statistics, including the nuances of BABIP and perfect nights at the plate.
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INSIGHT

Expanded Playoffs Suppress Trades

  • Expanded playoffs create parity, reducing incentive for teams to trade key players.
  • Many teams see themselves as contenders soon, discouraging tear-down trades.
INSIGHT

Why Few Big Trades Happen

  • Teams avoid trading controlled players due to hope for near-term contention.
  • This reduces high-profile trades and trade deadline fever.
INSIGHT

What Made Sandberg Iconic

  • Ryan Sandberg's popularity transcended his stats due to timing and his team's context.
  • Being the best player on a long-struggling team with national exposure amplifies fan attachment.
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