Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Becca Balton to banter about Becca’s baseball background, her origins as a listener, and the Nationals’ new direction, then (17:51) answer emails about a team WAR cap, an extra-innings variant in which the team to score fastest wins, manager close-ups on postseason broadcasts, citing the stats of a particular pitch, a pitch-based skills competition, and the “corners” of the strike zone, followed (1:09:33) by Stat Blasts about postseason series MVPs with negative (c)WPAs, pitchers who earned their first save in their final appearance, the oldest/most-experienced pitchers to push their career records over .500 for the first time, and teams that swept the major awards in the shortest spans, plus a postscript on the Dylan Cease signing and more. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Yesavage splitter stats Link to Babe Ruth Award wiki Link to Kershaw/Stafford backstory Link to xkcd “Ten Thousand” comic Link to Stafford stat Link to Stafford’s season Link to QB wins leaders Link to Nightengale column Link to BP on MLB’s “losses” Link to MaML on Karcher Link to listener emails database Link to Jesser’s YouTube channel Link to Rendon report Link to MLBTR on Cease Link to Baumann on Cease Link to Secret Santa sign-up  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Red Sox-Cardinals trade involving Sonny Gray and take Hal Steinbrenner to task for his comments about the Yankees not being profitable, then (37:00) talk to Jay Jaffe about the big issues surrounding this year’s (and upcoming years’) BBWAA and Era Committee Hall of Fame ballots. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLBTR on Gray Link to Baumann on Gray Link to Breslow quote Link to Steinbrenner’s comments Link to Rob on Steinbrenner Link to Rob on Atlanta Link to Beeston quote Link to Forbes estimates Link to 2026 BBWAA ballot Link to Jay on the ballot Link to Jay’s profiles schedule Link to ballot tracker Link to ballot tracker site Link to S-JAWS info Link to Jay on the contemporary ballot Link to Posnanski post Link to The Cooperstown Casebook Link to Secret Santa sign-up  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Warren Schaeffer staying on as Rockies manager, the Mets’ and Rangers’ Brandon Nimmo–Marcus Semien swap, and their memories, thoughts, and feelings concerning Alex Rodriguez, inspired by the new, three-part HBO docuseries Alex vs. A-Rod. Then (58:35) they talk to the co-directors/EPs of Alex vs. A-Rod, Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew, about how the docuseries sausage was made and their insights into A-Rod’s psyche. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLBTR on Schaeffer Link to Baumann on the trade Link to Alex vs. A-Rod trailer Link to stream Alex vs. A-Rod Link to Alex vs. A-Rod IMDb page Link to Gotham’s IMDb page Link to Erik’s IMDb page Link to latest HUAL episode Link to Munch King bag Link to “gun” etymology Link to 1993 Levy article Link to Secret Santa sign-up  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Aaron Judge having been teammates with both Taylor Ward and Tyler Wade, a revelation about the late-season health of Elly De La Cruz, and the hidden value of multiposition players such as Mauricio Dubón, then (38:22) answer listener emails about the terms “baseball lifer” and “double-barrel action,” when bases-loaded situations are separate, how to count innings, a weird double play, how to classify switch-hitters, non-switch-hitters who should consider switch-hitting, and whether wealth can buy a good farm system. Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Elly injury info Link to September Elly episode Link to AA quotes on Dubón Link to 2025 FRV leaders Link to Kostka thread on Grayson Link to double play clip 1 Link to double play clip 2 Link to double play clip 3 Link to Rendon homer story Link to Popkins origin story Link to listener emails database Link to Narduzzi clip Link to Narduzzi story Link to Secret Santa sign-up  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Michael Bauman, a savvy baseball analyst and recurring panelist, joins the crew to dissect the aftermath of their bold preseason predictions. They dive into the thrilling outcomes of the 2025 minor league free agent draft, where surprises abound. The panel also engages in amusing games, including predicting College World Series matchups and teasing out baseball from pop culture. Highlights include evaluations of predictions on Shohei Otani's pitch speed and Ketel Marte's MVP candidacy, revealing the hits and misses of their forecasts.

Ben and Meg banter about the benefits of baseball supporting longer careers than some other sports (inspired by LeBron James becoming the first NBA player to make it to a 23rd season), the Mariners re-signing Josh Naylor, four free agents accepting qualifying offers, the Orioles and Angels swapping Grayson Rodriguez and Taylor Ward, whether teams will find/develop the next Kyle Hendricks, MLB’s unveiling of its new/old broadcast partners, and some news about the WPBL. Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to LeBron gamer Link to B-Ref seasons leaderboard Link to FG post on Naylor Link to Passan’s Pirates report Link to We Tried Tracker return Link to Baumann on the QOs Link to over/under draft tracker Link to FG post on O’s-Angels trade Link to Judge’s former teammates Link to Judge/Wade sighting Link to xkcd comic Link to Laurila on Hendricks Link to Bloom quote Link to Toboni quote Link to Ben on Arraez Link to MLB rights release Link to Marchand on the rights deals Link to Marchand on the rights deals 2 Link to WPBL news 1 Link to WPBL news 2 Link to Ben on the OWL Link to Hot Stove League on Netflix Link to initial praise of the show Link to first recap pod Link to Secret Santa sign-up  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Michael Mountain, a StatBlast contributor and analytics enthusiast, joins to discuss his innovative rivalry-score project that quantifies team rivalries through pain points and championship leverage. He reveals how recent games affect rankings, explains the decay function in rivalries, and highlights historical matchups like Yankees vs. Red Sox. The conversation touches on the criteria defining rivalries, surprising contemporary rankings, and why some teams, like Houston and Colorado, have weak rivalry profiles.

Ben and Meg share laughs about a quirky hotel display for Addison Barger. They dive into Scott Boras’s witty comments at GM meetings, mixing sports and pop culture references. The duo analyzes Paul DePodesta’s remarkable return to baseball ops and discusses various free agent predictions, debating over/under values for high-profile players like Kyle Tucker and Justin Verlander. They also reflect on the career impact of Mike Greenwell. Tune in for a blend of humor, stats, and lively debate!

The discussion dives into the shocking federal indictment of Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz over alleged pitch-fixing schemes, raising questions about MLB's oversight. Listeners learn how players might facilitate gambling through in-game communications and the moral complexities behind their choices. The hosts also examine the implications of micro betting, urging for stricter regulations. Humorous anecdotes and historical parallels, like Shoeless Joe, add depth to the serious nature of cheating in sports, while addressing how parents can navigate a world awash in gambling ads.

Joining the discussion is Ben Clemens, a savvy baseball analyst known for his expertise in free-agent rankings. He dives into his top-50 free agent list, revealing why Kyle Tucker tops the charts but carries injury concerns. The conversation shifts to the pitching-heavy market, with insights on standout relievers and their unique valuations. Ben also explores international signings, the shallow middle-infield options this winter, and how labor uncertainty might influence upcoming contracts, making for a compelling dive into MLB's hot stove season.