Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

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.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a low-suspense awards week, the vastly varying paths to being a major league manager, the latest sign of the Angels player-development apocalypse, Brian Cashman on Giancarlo Stanton, the death of Padres owner Peter Seidler, Michael Jordan’s baseball career on For All Mankind, how much holding runners matters, and […]

Ben Clemens, FanGraphs writer, joins hosts Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley to discuss the free-agent market. They also talk about baseball players deemed sexiest by People magazine, the effectiveness of small ball in baseball, assessing foreign professional hitters and potential landing spots, and Cody Bellinger's performance and projection.

The hosts discuss their experiences at the winter meetings in baseball, the approach to Shohei Otani's free agency, the communication and implementation of analytics within the New York Yankees organization, Pete Alonso's prepared lines, analyzing the comedic style of a sports agent, understanding the process of electing free agency in MLB, the changing age demographics of baseball fans, and the upcoming free agent class in baseball.

Craig Counsell's surprising move to the Cubs, emotions and motivations of professional athletes, rising salaries of baseball managers, potential player departures and off-season speculations, perceptions of Aaron Boone, load management in the NBA, World Baseball Classic frequency, various baseball topics discussed.

Discussion on the challenges of accessing NPB games and engaging with international baseball. Exploring the significance of in-person scouting and pitch counts. Analyzing Joey Votto's future and potential retirement. Naming an award for players who win both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger. Exploring a pitcher repeating a start in a time loop. Pondering the potential expansion in MLB. Discussing Eduardo Rodriguez's opt-out and debating a playoff lottery system. Highlighting the dangers of introducing a lottery system in baseball. Discussing the power of team owners and the most valuable hitter per pound. Exploring the shortest players in baseball in terms of WAR per inch and pound.

MLB teams' likelihood of winning their first championship, financial challenges, transition periods, unpredictable factors in football games, Atlanta Braves Foundation potential as a criminal syndicate, community impact initiatives, Nelson Cruz's career & PEDs in baseball, fans' willingness to move on, potential changes & developments in baseball

Topics discussed in this podcast include covering the World Series, the Rangers' success and rebuild, the entertainment value of the playoffs, bullpen games, the influence of a World Series win on other teams, roster construction, the impact of high payroll, comparing the future prospects of the Diamondbacks and the Rangers, playoff success and fan expectations, and the role of luck and planning in achieving success.

The hosts discuss a mistake in the previous episode's intro. They debate World Series droughts and wedding anniversary gifts. They weigh the pros and cons of teams having a buy in the wildcard series. They explore the concept of a 'noble tiger' situation and discreet tagging. They discuss the challenges of transitioning leagues and taking time off. They delve into the difficulties of a disrupted season and delaying injuries.

Discussing the surprising NLCS, the Diamondbacks-Rangers World Series matchup, and the Brewers playoff losses. Previewing the World Series and speculating about the lack of extra-inning games. Examining the performance of Corbin Carroll in the playoffs and the rise of former players in leadership positions. Analyzing bullpen performance and the impact of starting pitchers and relievers in postseason games. Discussing pitch types and the vulnerability of relievers. Expressing gratitude to podcast supporters and ways to engage with the podcast.