Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2362: Poob Has Baseball for You

13 snips

Aug 16, 2025

David Appelman, founder of FanGraphs, shares insights on the site's 20th anniversary and its evolution from a simple data tool to a comprehensive analytics platform. The conversation covers teams post-trade deadline, speculating on which might surprise in the playoffs, especially the struggling Dodgers. They discuss the remarkable performance of rookie Roman Anthony and delve into scoring rules and player value, particularly Juan Soto’s metrics versus traded players. The episode also touches on the changing landscape of sports broadcasting and the future of baseball journalism.

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INSIGHT

Selloff Doesn't Preclude Short Runs

Teams that sold at the deadline (like Arizona) can still go on short hot runs, but sustained playoff success after selling is rare.
The Guardians look more plausible than the Diamondbacks to pull an improbable postseason push due to fewer roster subtractions.

INSIGHT

Depth Creates Downside Protection

The Dodgers' depth has insulated them from heavy injuries, making playoff qualification likely despite underperformance.
That durability validates concerns about structural advantages even if they can't directly 'buy' a World Series.

INSIGHT

You Can Buy Playoff Odds, Not Rings

Buying a championship is unrealistic in baseball due to randomness and playoff structure.
Teams can, however, buy much more certainty of reaching the playoffs by accumulating depth and payroll.

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