Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens banter about an MLB beer/cerveza sponsorship, upcoming updates to sticky stuff inspections, the position of second base, and humidor use, the Twins signing Chris Archer and the Diamondbacks extending Ketel Marte, Dave Roberts guaranteeing a Dodgers championship, and Andrew Miller’s retirement, then (36:50) preview the 2022 season in the National League Central, team by team (plus a closing Stat Blast note). Audio intro: Boogie Down Productions, “Word From Our Sponsor” Audio outro: Guided By Voices, “Time Remains in Central Position” Link to MLB’s cerveza press release Link to Rob Arthur on the spin resurgence Link to Tom Verducci on sticky stuff inspections Link to Jayson Stark on moving second base Link to Tom Shieber on second base Link to Eno’s thread on humidors Link to article on humidor physics Link to Aaron Gleeman on the Archer signing Link to Ben Clemens on the Archer signing Link to Ben on the Marte extension Link to Roberts guarantee Link to Ben Lindbergh on spring predictions Link to Ben on spring predictions again Link to Ben on spring chemistry Link to Ben on Miller in 2016 Link to Ben on Miller copycats in 2017 Link to FanGraphs playoff odds Link to FanGraphs second base PPRs Link to FanGraphs catcher PPRs Link to article on Cardinals closing plans Link to Dan on consistent Cards projections Link to David Stearns contract details Link to Brandon Williamson footage Link to Eno’s bold predictions Link to Verducci on Votto’s revival Link to Votto’s Instagram Link to Votto’s TikTok Link to latest Castellanos clip Link to Dan on projecting Suzuki Link to thread on anti-sign-stealing rules Link to Shinjo first pitch video Link to Shinjo entrance video Link to Boras puns study Link to Stat Blast game log  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein banter about a contentious Baseball Prospectus headline and an overlooked Scott Boras quote, then preview the 2022 season in the National League West, team by team (plus closing banter about the Baseball Prospectus annual). Audio intro: Big Star, “Way Out West” Audio outro: The New Pornographers, “The Fake Headlines” Link to BP zombie runner story Link to Boras quote about Correa Link to Ben’s old ouroBoras tweet Link to Snell on sandwiches Link to Trout on cutting sandwiches Link to Craig on the Dodgers Link to BP playoff odds Link to FanGraphs playoff odds Link to R.J.’s breakout picks Link to Jarrín’s retirement story Link to Michael Ajeto on Heaney Link to Gore spring training story Link to Jeff Passan on Story Link to Ajeto on Gallen Link to buy the BP annual Link to Votto’s Instagram post Link to Ben’s Ohtani article  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the beginning of the 2022 division series preview series, rant about the reinstitution of the zombie runner, applaud the advent of the Ohtani Rule, follow up on a previous Stat Blast by recounting the most consecutive defensive plays a fielder has ever been involved in, and relate an unforgivable Scott Boras pun, then (35:59) bring on R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports to preview the 2022 season in the American League Central, team by team. Audio intro: Yo La Tengo, “Automatic Doom” Audio interstitial: Fruit Bats, “My Sweet Midwest” Audio outro: Kevin Morby, “Don’t Underestimate Midwest American Sun” Link to news about rules Link to Ohtani Rule story Link to study on zombie runner effects Link to Stanky Draft episode Link to longest fielder streaks Link to first Boras quote Link to second Boras quote Link to Correa signing story Link to Guardians sale story Link to R.J.’s breakout picks Link to FanGraphs playoff odds Link to RosterResource payroll page Link to Greinke photo tweet  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Reddit description of the podcast, the pleasures of watching spring training games, and the possibly excessive coffee consumption of White Sox DH Gavin Sheets, before discussing the last burst of big free-agent signings, including Carlos Correa’s shocking contract with the Twins, Trevor Story to the Red Sox, Nick Castellanos to the Phillies, Jorge Soler to the Marlins, and Kenley Jansen to the Braves, plus musings on Michael Conforto as the last highly rated free agent remaining, the results of Effectively Wild’s seventh annual free-agent-contract over/under draft, and more. Audio intro: The Courtneys, “Minnesota” Audio outro: The White Stripes, “One More Cup of Coffee” Link to Reddit podcast comment Link to Sheets/coffee story Link to Russell Carleton on the DH penalty Link to Emma’s Red Bull tweet Link to Ben on the Correa signing Link to Ben Clemens on Correa Link to Lindsey Adler on the Yankees and Correa Link to Justin Choi on Story Link to Mike Petriello on the Coors hangover Link to Purple Row on the Coors hangover Link to Michael Ajeto on Story Link to Russell on changing positions Link to Dan Szymborski on Castellanos Link to Matt Gelb on Castellanos Link to Jayson Stark on Philly’s defense Link to Philly spring training clip Link to Dan on Soler Link to Jay Jaffe on Jansen Link to Jay on Pineda Link to FanGraphs top 50 free agents Link to Conforto extension story Link to contract over/under draft results Link to FanGraphs playoff odds Link to FanGraphs transaction roundup Link to gender-inclusive MLB rules  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about new details about Freddie Freeman and Kris Bryant’s contracts, Stat Blast about players not touching the ball, and then (18:59) bring on Effectively Wild listener and Patreon supporter Kevin Brotzman to discuss being an Orioles fan and season-ticket holder and answer listener emails about whether Goodhart’s law will apply to WAR figures used in the new CBA, updating baseball terminology to be more inclusive, fans bragging about their teams’ titles, abandoning A’s fandom, and adjusting stats for the universal DH. Audio intro: Jim White, “Fighting My Ghosts Again” Audio outro: The Bees, “These Are the Ghosts” Link to ESPN on Freeman’s deal Link to story about Bryant’s introduction Link to Stat Blast data Link to Kevin’s Orioles numbers site Link to Kevin’s Orioles cards site Link to Rosenthal on Correa Link to Camden Chat on Correa Link to Trezza tweet Link to Apstein tweets Link to Goodhart’s law wiki Link to Ben on pitcher deception Link to “manager” etymology Link to ICC “batter” story Link to Ben on league quality Link to cosmic distance ladder wiki Link to Russell on DH penalties Link to Suzuki video Link to FanGraphs transaction roundup  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley continue to break down a busy, chaotic week in MLB by bantering about which was wilder, this week or the week leading up to the lockout, then breaking down the Rockies signing Kris Bryant, the Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman, the Blue Jays trading for Matt Chapman and the new AL East hierarchy, the Yankees re-signing Anthony Rizzo and largely confounding their fans, the Red Sox staying idle, Kyle Schwarber going to Philly and Zack Greinke returning to K.C., the Cubs signing Seiya Suzuki (and others) and seemingly not Nutting after all(?), assorted Giants and Braves moves, and more, plus closing banter about new/old minor league names, a milestone decision in a court case about minor league pay, and a rule reversion intended to cut down on rampant roster reshuffling. Audio intro: Spoon, “Wild” Audio outro: Michael Nesmith, “Keep On” Link to The Athletic report about Bryant Link to FanGraphs post about Bryant Link to Van Lenten hiring report Link to Van Lenten firing report Link to Ben on the Freeman saga Link to Ben Clemens on Freeman Link to Chapman trade post Link to Rizzo signing post Link to Lindsey Adler on the Yankees Link to Sale injury news Link to The Athletic on Schwarber Link to FanGraphs on Schwarber Link to Greinke signing post Link to Suzuki signing post Link to Suzuki projections post Link to Villar signing post Link to Giants signings post Link to Braves signings post Link to league names news Link to minor league pay ruling Link to Baseball America on the ruling Link to California bill story Link to news about roster-churn rules Link to BP on options use Link to FanGraphs playoff odds Link to FanGraphs transaction roundup  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a packed few days of post-lockout action, including news about the zombie runner and a ball-strike challenge system, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s fractured wrist and motorcycle mayhem, Pete Alonso‘s close call, Mike Trout’s vetoed position change, the Yankees and Mets potentially losing unvaxxed players in home games, and how nice it is to talk about non-lockout-related news. Then they discuss transactions, including the Braves’ bittersweet decision to move on from Freddie Freeman by acquiring and extending Matt Olson, the prospects the A’s got back, why Freeman’s departure isn’t like the Mookie Betts trade, the Reds’ trades with the Twins and Mariners, the difference (if any) between the Athletics’ and Reds’ teardowns, the Twins-Yankees trade involving Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Ben Rortvedt, Gary Sánchez, and Gio Urshela, a taxonomy of Yankees Beef Boys, and what the Twins are doing, as well as moves involving Chris Bassitt, Yusei Kikuchi, Nelson Cruz, Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Rodón, Clayton Kershaw, Kurt Suzuki, and Willians Astudillo. Audio intro: Ozzy Osbourne, “Zombie Stomp” Audio outro: The Bats, “Busy” Link to report about zombie runner Link to Tatis news Link to Alonso truck video Link to story on pickup accidents Link to Trout’s position story Link to NYC vaccination story Link to Judge video Link to daylight saving time story Link to Olson trade post Link to Oakland prospects post Link to story about Olson’s strikeouts Link to Olson extension post Link to data on Freeman comps Link to WS winner roster research Link to Mariners-Reds trade post Link to BP on the Mariners-Reds trade Link to Yankees-Twins trade post Link to Rortvedt muscles story Link to Cole-Donaldson beef story Link to Rob Liefeld drawings Link to Gray trade post Link to Gleeman on the Twins trades Link to Dan on 12-team-playoff odds Link to current FanGraphs playoff odds Link to Cruz signing post Link to McCutchen signing post Link to Kikuchi signing post Link to Bassitt trade post Link to Kershaw signing post Link to Suzuki signing post Link to FanGraphs trade posts Link to FanGraphs FA signing posts  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Cardinals breaking the post-lockout free-agent signing seal, what the pre-Opening Day market will look like, day-after reflections on the new CBA (including an alternative term for tanking), the benefits and drawbacks of MLB broadcasts on streaming services, how Canadian vaccination policies could affect the Blue Jays, the advent of WARdle, weather splits at FanGraphs, the podcast’s season preview plans, why the international draft is subject to collective bargaining, and more, followed by a conversation (50:05) with The Athletic staff writer Maria Torres about the ongoing discussions between MLB and the MLBPA about the international draft, the many problems with the international free agent market, MLB’s culpability, alternatives to a draft, and more. Audio intro: Crosby, Stills & Nash, “After the Storm” Audio interstitial: Steppenwolf, “Draft Resister” Audio outro: Spector, “Local International” Link to Eric on VerHagen Link to study on late-offseason signings Link to Evan Drellich on the CBA Link to Joe Sheehan on the CBA Link to article on broadcast deals Link to news about Peacock deal Link to thread about the Blue Jays Link to WARdle Link to FanGraphs weather splits Link to Ben Clemens on qualifying offers Link to Freedman thread Link to news on draft negotiations Link to Maria’s feature story Link to Lindor statement Link to story on Puerto Rico and the draft Link to second story on P.R. and the draft Link to third story on P.R. and the draft Link to ESPN on the international draft Link to Durbin tweet Link to Sanders statement  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

After 99 days of lockout, the voice of the turtle speaks up, and the season is saved. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley exuberantly respond to the news of a new CBA, breaking down the major on-field and off-field provisions in the deal and discussing the worst-cast scenario averted, the imminent prospect of spring training and Opening Day, the way the lockout was covered, what will happen next, and more. Audio intro: AC/DC, “Play Ball” Audio outro: Sam Cooke, “Good Times” Link to Jay Jaffe’s CBA breakdown Link to Evan Drellich on the deal Link to Ken Rosenthal on Manfred Link to ESPN’s CBA breakdown Link to post on Passan hack Link to Russell on the shift ban Link to Justin Choi on the shift ban Link to WaPo on lockout coverage Link to December YouGov poll Link to March Morning Consult poll Link to Ernie Harwell quote  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs author Dan Szymborski discuss the drawbacks and virtues of expanded playoffs, the ideal expanded-playoff format, and the biggest beneficiaries of playoff expansion in 2022, why the competitive balance tax functions as a soft cap and how MLB could actually promote competitive integrity, whether banning the shift is a bad idea and their general attitudes toward rules changes, the plight, projections, and possible destinations of Seiya Suzuki, free-agent deals Dan would want to see after the lockout is lifted, and much more. Audio intro: The National, “Don’t Swallow the Cap” Audio outro: Smith Westerns, “Cheer Up” Link to Apple streaming press release Link to Dan on projecting expanded playoffs Link to Dan’s earlier post on playoff expansion Link to Ben Clemens on expanded playoffs Link to study on playoff luck Link to Neil Paine on team true talent Link to Brendan Gawlowski on KBO playoffs Link to Pinstripe Alley on KBO playoffs Link to Travis Sawchik on KBO playoffs Link to Dan on projecting Suzuki Link to Suzuki report Link to Dan’s previous pod appearance Link to Dan on signing FA pitchers Link to Dan on signing FA hitters Link to Dan on the CBT Link to thread on competitive balance Link to Rob Mains on the CBT Link to Rob Mains on market size Link to Sawchik on the CBT Link to Eno Sarris on the CBT Link to Ken Rosenthal on the CBT Link to Ben on rules changes Link to Ben on directional hitting Link to Rosenthal on rules changes Link to Russell on shifting developments Link to Russell on bunting Link to Russell on banning the shift Link to Rob Arthur on outfield shifts Link to Kim report Link to David Appelman on funding FanGraphs  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source