Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Discussion about the challenges faced by a writer during the Scott Boris scrum, speculation on Scott Boris and his client Juan Soto, analyzing baseball agent mannerisms, discussing the potential acquisition of Soto by the Yankees, examining the Padres' offseason acquisitions and roster needs, importance of acquiring innings in baseball, uncertainty and strategy in baseball team's decisions, and speculation on the baseball market and Shohei Otani's free agency secrecy.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the secrecy surrounding Shohei Ohtani's free agency. They also talk about the speculation surrounding players joining teams, maximizing value in contract negotiations, transparency of team executives, Mariners' trade challenges, trading pitchers between Yankees and Red Sox, Mookie Betts as a second baseman, effects of getting under the luxury tax threshold, and correcting the historical record.

The hosts discuss the divergent Twitter reactions to a cat video and a tweet about Henry Kissinger. They explore the engagement of the tweets, the challenges of staying connected to baseball from afar, and the impact of weak divisions on playoff teams. They also delve into the way bodies are described in the baseball industry and investigate conflicting reports about historical baseball games.

Ben and Meg discuss their podcast's popularity, recent trade talks for Juan Soto, Reds and Mets moves. They also talk about MLB awards, changing Hall of Fame selection process, and analyze players' HOF chances. BBWA membership and voting process is discussed too.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Eugenio Suárez trade and the Mariners’ payroll, the Cardinals signing Sonny Gray, the Tigers signing Kenta Maeda, the Dodgers re-signing Jason Heyward, and whether an outfielder can be said to “pick it.” Then (50:07) they follow up on listener responses to their latest email episode, focusing on […]

Ben Lindbergh talks to Portia, a superfan of Shohei Ohtani who runs a popular fan account. They discuss Ohtani's popularity, following him from 15 time zones away, the mysteries surrounding him, his non-baseball friendships, love for biking and the beach, and the active show hay community. The hosts also explore their passion for uncovering the lives, burial sites, and hidden stories of deceased baseball players.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the proper pluralization of “POBO,” then (7:12) answer listener emails about baseball with a five-second pitch clock, how long fans will continue to boo pickoff attempts, what it would take for a team to pay a particular fan to attend (or not attend) its games, Freddie Freeman’s base […]

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Phillies re-signing Aaron Nola, the Braves signing Reynaldo López, trading for Aaron Bummer, and rearranging their roster, the Cardinals signing Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, the Padres hiring Mike Shildt, Shohei Ohtani swearing teams to secrecy about his free-agent visits, and NHK’s Ohtani documentaries. Then (53:16) they […]

Discussion on unanimous MVP voting, appreciation for Shohei O'Tani's dog, debating dog-friendly spaces, exploration of Shohei Ohtani's baseball career documentary, mindset of a talented baseball player, interpretation of faith and cultural shifts, reflecting on the end of a career, MLB Trade Rumors' predictions and draft decisions, predicting contracts for Marcus Strowman and Jungkoo Lee, choices for centerfield defense and Patreon perks.

MLB owners approving A's move to Las Vegas, new time-saving measures, salaries of David Stearns and Craig Counsell, private flights to attract free agents, Dubai-based league Baseball United, sports washing and government investments in sports, ethical implications of investing in rapidly changing countries, and analyzing the increase in winning percentage for teams that score first in postseason games.