Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley

Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary

  1. 1D AGO

    Effectively Wild Episode 2435: Oddsball Ideas

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB owners avoiding the Epstein files, preview the season preview series, bemoan the insurance issues preventing some stars from playing in the WBC, and break down the Luis Arraez and Eugenio Suárez signings, the Brendan Donovan trade, the latest White Sox moves, and their major takeaways from the release of the 2026 playoff odds. Then (1:22:00) Ben brings on historian Richard Hershberger to discuss the 150th anniversary of the National League’s founding, followed by (1:41:02) a postscript. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Epstein files sports roundup Link to season preview series wiki Link to insurance article Link to Ben on WBC injuries Link to Arraez signing FG post Link to Dan S. on Arraez Link to Sam on Arraez Link to team 2B projections Link to Arraez offers report Link to Arraez defensive stats Link to Moneyball quote Link to Washington hiring Link to Ben on Arraez Link to “gotta hand it to them” tweet Link to “It’s Been Awhile” Link to Suárez signing FG post Link to over/under draft tracker Link to palindrome post Link to Donovan trade post Link to Dipoto trade story Link to “WWJDD?” Link to Dipoto hospital story Link to Cijntje specialization story Link to Cijntje splits Link to Becker on three-team trades Link to Rays ballpark funding info Link to Sam’s trade post Link to Sam’s original Rays post Link to “White Soxer” post Link to FG offseason tracker Link to Baumann on the White Sox Link to BP on the White Sox Link to Slater “top target” quote Link to Murakami bidets story Link to Sasaki bidets story Link to Mamdani bidets story Link to Ben on bidets Link to team payrolls Link to Dan S. on beating the Dodgers Link to Dan on the Pirates/A’s Link to the playoff odds Link to Clemens on the playoff odds Link to projected team WAR Link to Strike Four Link to Richard’s SABR work Link to projected team WAR Link to Past Blast wiki Link to Richard’s NL post 1 Link to Richard’s NL post 2 Link to Richard’s NL post 3 Link to 1876 NL Link to prediction markets update Link to team broadcasts update Link to 2025 player earnings data Link to original Stat Blast Link to new Stat Blast data Link to $/WAR by year  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 52m
  2. 5D AGO

    Effectively Wild Episode 2434: Hold Your Dark Horses

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the oddly timed end of Derek Falvey’s rein as POBOth for the Twins, Jacob Wilson’s extension and the promising but lopsided A’s, pillow contracts vs. trampoline contracts, which teams have had the most frustrating offseasons, dark-horse-candidate teams for 2026, and listener responses to their previous discussion of a Fellowship of the Ring baseball team. Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Athletic on Falvey Link to Favley Zoom meeting detail Link to FG payrolls page Link to MLBTR on Wilson Link to 2025 team batting WAR Link to 2025 team pitching WAR Link to team WAR projections Link to sowing/reaping meme Link to team offseason spending Link to FG offseason tracker Link to Rooker on aliens Link to Robertson retirement news Link to Crizer on opt-outs Link to EW wiki on trampolines Link to BP on inactive teams Link to Sheehan on inactive teams Link to The Athletic on trying tiers Link to projected team WAR Link to “dark horse” wiki Link to MLBTR on Evans Link to Mount Doom scene Link to Pasquantino news  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 37m
  3. 6D AGO

    Effectively Wild Episode 2433: Off the Dome

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their coming deliverance from a slow baseball news period, spring training as a spectator experience, and how the prelude to Opening Day has changed, then (12:43) answer emails about the many meanings of “back end” in baseball, an outfielder who repels batted balls, whether all rule violations constitute cheating, a playoff team composed of spoilers, and which positions the members of the Fellowship of the Ring would play, followed (1:16:01) by a Stat Blast about the Mets’ roster reconstruction and the history of high turnover. Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Link to back end definitions Link to Magneto wiki Link to Magnetokinesis wiki Link to X-Men baseball history Link to Ben’s Mets article Link to Stat Blast data 1 Link to Stat Blast data 2 Link to Ben on turnover history Link to more on turnover history Link to Clemens on the Mets Link to Sherman on the Mets Link to Mets offseason history Link to Mets depth chart Link to projected pitcher playing time Link to projected hitter playing time Link to projected team WAR Link to Ben on team complacency Link to BaseRuns records Link to listener emails database Link to cloud seeding wiki Link to weekend weather info Link to “And my axe!” clip Link to “One does not” clip  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 41m
  4. JAN 28

    Effectively Wild Episode 2432: What Stars Deserve

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley share their responses—and the baseball world’s response—to the events of this month in Minnesota. Then (17:26) they banter about deboned Carlos Rodón, the latest pseudoscientific pursuits of Bryce Harper (and Mike Trout?), and the Giants signing Harrison Bader, before (48:06) discussing José Ramírez’s new extension with the Guardians, Andrew McCutchen’s quarrel with the Pirates, and what teams and star players owe to each other, if anything. Finally (1:26:22), they bring on data scientist/writer Zach Gozlan to Stat Blast about whether baseball is overrrepresented among sports clues on Jeopardy! Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Calhoun info 1 Link to Calhoun info 2 Link to Calhoun info 3 Link to Ben on Calhoun in 2018 Link to other athlete statements Link to more athlete statements Link to Wemby comments Link to Ober post Link to Strider post Link to Woods Richardson post Link to Klein repost Link to political affiliation data Link to Rodón interview clip Link to Rodón interview article Link to Harper post summary Link to Harper clouds repost Link to Harper’s TikTok Link to Harper’s mat post Link to Harper’s mat Link to Harper and Dombrowski Link to Trout’s reply to Rooker Link to Trout’s sponsored post Link to Trout’s “chamber” Link to Goop article 1 Link to Goop article 2 Link to Goop article 3 Link to FG post on Bader Link to BP post on the Giants Link to FG post on Ramírez Link to Ramírez interview Link to Ramírez’s FA value Link to McCutchen post Link to Cherington comments Link to McCutchen article 1 Link to McCutchen article 2 Link to Defector article Link to Zach’s website Link to Zach’s data Link to baseball crosswords research Link to crosswords wiki summary Link to Jeopardy! football questions Link to Jeopardy! Big Dumper question  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 48m
  5. JAN 24

    Effectively Wild Episode 2431: Hitters Who Podcast Together, Play Together

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the MacKenzie Gore trade, the trajectories of the Rangers and Nationals since their respective World Series victories, and why the White Sox signed Seranthony Domínguez. Then (29:38) they bring on baseball buds Brent Rooker and Vinnie Pasquantino for a wide-ranging conversation about their scrapped podcasting plans, the Royals remodeling Kauffman Stadium, how Sutter Health Park played, the good and bad of bat-speed training, the challenge system, Brent’s sinking strikeout rate, the best breakfasts, the Pasqwich, A’s outfield defense, Nick Kurtz and Jac Caglianone, playing with Rich Hill, A’s extensions, playing 162 games, why they haven’t become 30-30 guys, arbitration, players’ pre-lockout messaging, an offseason signing deadline, Vinnie’s interactions with Shohei Ohtani, the WBC, the weather, and more. Finally (1:38:25), Ben shares listener responses about Andruw Jones and outfield diving. Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to FG post on Gore trade Link to FG post on traded prospects Link to “jersey guy” discussion Link to team losses post-2019 Link to team SP projections Link to Ben on Sale in 2018 Link to Sox pen rank Link to MLBTR on Domínguez Link to first Rooker pod appearance Link to second Rooker appearance Link to Episode 1875 Link to Episode 1988 Link to lowest WARs in April Link to Brent’s Twitter taunt Link to Vinnie on the canceled podcast Link to story on Vinnie’s slow start Link to story on Muncy’s eyewear Link to bat speed article Link to Brent on bat speed Link to bat speed data Link to Vinnie on the fence changes Link to Brent on breakfast Link to Vinnie on Italian breakfast Link to Pasqwich tweet Link to Pasqwich article Link to Baseball Savant park factors Link to FG park factors Link to Kauffman batter’s eye comments Link to more Kauffman batter’s eye comments Link to visibility by ballpark Link to Brent’s lone Royals hit Link to Lowe comments Link to story on Vinnie and Jac Link to MLBTR on Brent’s extension Link to MLBTR on A’s extensions Link to Vinnie on extensions Link to Vinnie on arbitration Link to iron man Rooker Link to sprint speeds Link to signing deadline tweet 1 Link to signing deadline tweet 2 Link to Soderstrom article Link to Vinnie’s “WTF” tweet Link to Vinnie and Ohtani Link to Brent and Ohtani Link to Team Italy WBC roster Link to Brent’s weather tweet Link to Trout’s response Link to Brent’s “weather boy” tweet Link to “weather boy” meme Link to Bledsoe Agency Link to Pham suspension story Link to Pham Insta post Link to Episode 2430 Link to Bloomquist on Ichiro Link to Pillar/White article  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 49m
  6. JAN 23

    Effectively Wild Episode 2430: New York, New York

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the best point in the podcast at which to talk transactions, how a salary cap would affect the kind of conversations we have about baseball (based on the way we discuss other sports), the notion that a particular signing would drive owners to pursue a salary cap, and (25:09) whether a fielder’s proclivity for diving catches tells us anything about how good he is (inspired by the belief that Andruw Jones never had to dive). Then (44:32) they break down the latest Mets moves (for Luis Robert Jr. and Freddy Peralta), the team’s extreme makeover, and why the Brewers dealt Peralta, plus (1:29:08) the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger deal, their lack of roster turnover, and Belli’s up-down-up career. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLBTR on Gore Link to Young trade news Link to Young trade rationale Link to Rosenthal on the cap Link to Drellich on the cap Link to Calcaterra on Jones Link to Sheehan on Jones Link to Jones highlight reel Link to possibility space wiki Link to Ben on Harper’s dives Link to Hannah on dives Link to Rocky quote Link to FG on Robert Link to team CF projections Link to Robert CF rank Link to Robert’s sprint speeds Link to 2017 story on Robert Link to 2017 EW episode on Robert Link to FG on Peralta Link to FG on Peralta prospects Link to Brewers defense ranking Link to Peralta defenders ranking Link to RA-9 WAR leaders Link to team SP projections Link to Tong’s grilled cheese Link to BP on Peralta Link to Brewers payroll story 1 Link to Brewers payroll story 2 Link to team payrolls page Link to Mets team ZiPS post Link to FG post on Bellinger Link to Belli’s celebration injury Link to Belli on changing his celebration Link to team WAR projections Link to Domínguez defensive stats Link to team BaseRuns Link to political registration research Link to EW wiki on car recording  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 53m
  7. JAN 21

    Effectively Wild Episode 2429: Retire Rich

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ha-Seong Kim and the perils of slipping on ice, the contrasting retirement comments of Mookie Betts and Rich Hill, more on the Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette signings, Goodhart’s law and baseball stats, the late Wilbur Wood, and the latest trends in Hall of Fame voting. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio outro: Sam Chess, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Kim story Link to MLBTR on Kim Link to Mateo signing Link to team SS projection Link to Cena/Mookie episode Link to MLB.com on Mookie Link to HUAL on Cena’s retirement Link to Mookie’s other stream Link to MLBTR on Hill Link to “Retire” meme Link to Hill on EW Link to team LF projection Link to team CF projection Link to Dombrowski comment Link to MLBTR on Jays offer Link to Weaver’s Dodgers stat Link to Clemens post Link to barrels definition Link to Andrews post Link to Goodhart’s law wiki Link to Baumann on nerdy players Link to Wood obit Link to Wood’s IP lead Link to Sardell EW appearance Link to Sardell’s penultimate projections Link to Sardell’s final projections Link to Jay’s results preview Link to Jay on EW Link to BBWAA announcement Link to Jay on the results Link to Jay’s Jones profile Link to Jones battery report Link to Jay’s Beltrán profile Link to Felix leap stat Link to Pettitte PEDs story Link to Vizquel persuasion post Link to Sam’s ballot Link to Pollis on the results Link to MLBTR on Robert  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 35m
  8. JAN 17

    Effectively Wild Episode 2428: Scalded by the Stove

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a flurry of transactions and a three-team-trade dilemma, then break down the J.T. Realmuto, Bo Bichette, and Kyle Tucker deals, plus talk of baseball economics and Emmanuel Clase’s roosters. Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to FG post on Castro Link to MLBTR on three-team trade Link to Passan on Tucker Link to Passan on three-team trade Link to two buttons meme Link to Passan meme Link to FG post on Realmuto Link to FG post on Bichette Link to FG post on Tucker Link to Ben on Tucker Link to Cohen tweet 1 Link to Cohen tweet 2 Link to FG quarter-zips Link to over/under draft results Link to Ben on free agency Link to Passan on free agency Link to offseason FA spending Link to bad Tucker swing Link to Ben on Yordan’s slump Link to Roberts comments Link to owner floor proposal Link to floor proposal analysis Link to Walker comment Link to champion complacency Link to FA fits episode Link to team hitter age Link to team OF WAR Link to MLB execs poll Link to Tucker persona story Link to Tucker cWPA Link to Teoscar in RF Link to Teoscar in LF Link to team depth chart projections Link to team payrolls page Link to Dodgers CBT tax spending Link to 2006 team payrolls Link to 2005 team payrolls Link to 2003 Onion headline Link to Kershaw WBC news Link to Clase roosters story Link to more on Clase roosters Link to quotes about Clase  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! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

    1h 52m
4.7
out of 5
2,592 Ratings

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Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary

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