Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley analyze the latest additions to the AL East: Ryan Weathers to the Yankees and Ranger Suárez to the Red Sox. Then (26:52) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Jon Norton to answer listener emails about players who’ve repeatedly signed one-year contracts, whether they would want to play in an MLB game, how impressive switch-hitting should be, WAR without players who took PEDs, and the all-time greatness of Star Trek legend Buck Bokai. Audio intro : Xavier LeBlanc, ...
Jan 16, 2026•1 hr 36 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Cubs’ big Alex Bregman signing, Nolan Arenado ’s trade to Arizona, Kauffman Stadium’s soon-to-be-cozier confines, and a former GM’s dismissal of advanced stats, plus a few follow-ups. Audio intro : Josh Busman, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Ian H., “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to Andrews on Bregman Link to Baumann on Bregman Link to Langs on draftees Link to Montgomery on Boras Link to Kennedy comments Link to Sheehan on the Sox Link to T...
Jan 14, 2026•1 hr 41 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a breakup of baseball lookalikes, minor league free agent draft eligibility, and more players who unretired after becoming coaches, then break down the latest baseball broadcasting developments, Rob Manfred’s recent comments (about his priorities and future, an offseason signing deadline, and regular-season structure), Tarik Skubal ’s historic arbitration case, and, inspired by sensational hockey streaming series Heated Rivalry (which they discuss withou...
Jan 10, 2026•1 hr 36 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how the on-ramp for learning about sports analytics has changed since they were students, follow up on players who unretired after becoming coaches, break down the Edward Cabrera trade (and the Michael Lorenzen signing), and then discuss the remaining top-10 free agents ( Kyle Tucker , Alex Bregman , Framber Valdez , Cody Bellinger , Bo Bichette , and Ranger Suárez ) from three perspectives: where they’d have the biggest impact, where would be most fun f...
Jan 09, 2026•1 hr 37 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Daniel Vogelbach becoming a Brewers hitting coach and coach-hiring trends, analyze and phact-check Tommy Pham ’s pitch for “PhamGraphs,” react to the Kazuma Okamoto signing and the Blue Jays embracing their big-market potential (in contrast to the Giants), and take the temperature of the pretty tepid stove (phollowed by a phollow-up on Pham). Audio intro : The Spaghettis, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Ian Phillips, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” L...
Jan 07, 2026•1 hr 45 min
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens banter about the Astros signing Tatsuya Imai to a smaller-than-expected deal. Then (18:20) they continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 13th annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, in which they select 10 minor league free agents each and compete to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined MLB playing time in 2025 (followed by a postscript at 1:31:23). Audio intro : Cory Brent, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio o...
Jan 03, 2026•1 hr 46 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the potential risk to sports prediction markets pose and then (24:00) discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each American League team that wasn’t previously covered on the show in 2025. Audio intro : Justin Peters, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Ted O., “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to MLBTR on Rendon Link to Bloomberg on prediction markets Link to The Athletic on prediction markets Link to FoS on the Blackhawks Link to story ab...
Dec 31, 2025
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a smattering of recent transactions and then (20:17) discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each National League team that wasn’t previously covered on the podcast in 2025. Audio intro : Luke Lillard, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Sean .P, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to MLB.com on Soderstrom Link to MLBTR on Soderstrom Link to MLBTR on Refsnyder Link to The Athletic on Refsnyder Link to “the grink” tweet Link to Fowler SABR bi...
Dec 30, 2025
Ben Lindbergh talks to two pitchers who topped out at Triple-A in 2025, which was a demotion for one and a promotion for the other. First, he brings back Rangers pitcher Declan Cronin , the only major leaguer alum of Ben’s high school, to discuss a setback of a season that included a mysterious hip injury, compromised mechanics, diminished stuff, a cutthroat release and, finally, Tommy John surgery. Along the way, they cover the urge to play through injuries, joining the Rangers after being unce...
Dec 26, 2025•2 hr 2 min
Ben Lindbergh, Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus , and Joe Sheehan of The Joe Sheehan Baseball Newsletter break down teams’ last-minute Christmas shopping—including the White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami , the Padres signing Michael King and Sung Mun Song , the Orioles trading for Shane Baz , the Red Sox trading for Willson Contreras , a three-team trade involving the Pirates, Rays, and Astros, Jeff McNeil and Matt Strahm swaps, and the Yankees’ hibernation—plus banter about the quasi-reti...
Dec 24, 2025•2 hr 17 min
Ben Lindbergh brings on ESPN senior MLB insider Jeff Passan to discuss the ins and outs of the newsbreaking business—how he reports and announces news, how newsbreaking in baseball differs from newsbreaking in other sports, conflicts of interest, the ills of social media, work-life balance, aging, his flirtation with switching to the basketball beat, and more—plus Jeff’s thoughts on ESPN’s relationship with MLB, the biggest surprises and questions of this hot stove season, and the outlook for a ...
Dec 22, 2025•1 hr 39 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about an “oppo taco” mention in Wake Up Dead Man , a run on free-agent relievers and the lack of late-inning options remaining on the market, when big free agents actually tend to sign, the Nationals’ youth movement in the front office and on the coaching staff, and the stacked USA WBC pitching staff, plus follow-ups on several subjects. Audio intro : Ian H., “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Liz Panella, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to Rian Johnson ...
Dec 19, 2025
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Ha-Seong Kim , Adrian Houser , and Foster Griffin signings, a prospect-for-prospect Red Sox and Nationals trade, and the Twins’ partial sale, then (34:00) answer emails about saying “pitchoff” instead of “first pitch,” the value of a cool nickname, a Hall of Fame reference in The Wizard of Oz , whether teams value batter performance against elite pitching, protesting ball/strike calls from the dugout, keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall, a running star...
Dec 17, 2025•1 hr 40 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a smattering of transactions, featuring (among others) Jorge Polanco , Tyler Rogers , Kenley Jansen , Isaac Collins , Angel Zerpa , Merrill Kelly , Josh Bell , and Adolis García . Then (49:03) they talk about MLB’s move to regulate and standardize the use of in-game technology across the minor leagues, baseball content (sans spoilers!) in new Netflix films Wake Up Dead Man and A House of Dynamite (1:04:50), and MLB players who could come out of retiremen...
Dec 16, 2025•1 hr 39 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Garrett Stubbs and the latest example of eyebrow-raising off-the-field Phillies behavior (content warning: adult breast milk consumption), then (14:58) discuss the Pete Alonso signing from the Orioles’ and Mets’ perspectives, Stat Blast (47:09) about teams losing long-tenured/productive players and rapid roster turnover among title winners, and recap (1:05:25) a smattering of transactions to put a bow on the week of Winter Meetings. Audio intro : Tom Rho...
Dec 13, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down Scott Boras’s Winter Meetings wordplay and discuss the Kyle Schwarber and Edwin Díaz deals, a smattering of starting-pitcher signings, the Pirates as supposed spenders, the latest on the Ippei Mizuhara TV series, a Lane Kiffin canine conspiracy, and a Johanfran Garcia nickname. Audio intro : El Warren, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Guy Russo, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to Boras on EW Link to Boras on Imai Link to Boras on Suárez Link to Bor...
Dec 10, 2025•1 hr 33 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley deliver a correction to the preceding episode’s draft results, ponder the mystery of a bigger John Brebbia fan than Ben, remind listeners to sign up for EW Secret Santa, and banter about Sonny Gray , Brian Cashman, and gloriously nonsensical sports beefs, Bryce Harper’ s ozone therapy, two trades centered on blocked prospects, and Jeff Kent ’s Cooperstown induction. Audio intro : Sean .P, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : The Gagnés, “ Effectively Wild Theme ”...
Dec 09, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Ben Lindbergh, Sam Miller, and podcast scorekeeper Chris Hanel review the results of an under-25-pitchers draft Ben and Sam conducted a decade ago. Then (13:38) Ben and Sam banter about Ben’s physique, answer listener emails about doing a The Only Rule -style experiment 10 years later, discuss Sam’s revamped, unique approach to writing about baseball this year, and consider some possibilities for what we’ll remember about baseball in 2025. After that (1:05:57), Ben continues the sporadic “Baseba...
Dec 05, 2025•2 hr 12 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the John Brebbia and Devin Williams signings (in that order, obviously), share a few follow-ups, and (31:33) assess whether each team satisfied its season preview guest’s conditions for a successful year. Then (58:18) they answer emails about the origins of the concept of the “opposite field,” the meaning of the word “whiff,” how to refer to offseasons, whether umpires practice throwing, how much stock to place in regular-season wins without an accompany...
Dec 03, 2025•1 hr 45 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley respond to the responses to their response to a recent listener email, discuss (14:38) the Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease deal (including a Stat Blast about pitchers with big ERA-FIP gaps at 34:11), Anthony Rendon ’s potential retirement (47:23), and the Orioles’ Ryan Helsley signing (1:05:37), before scrutinizing ESPN’s annual offseason survey of MLB executives (1:15:53). Audio intro : Andy Ellison, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Luke Lillard, “ Effectively Wild T...
Dec 02, 2025•1 hr 36 min
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 posts...
Nov 27, 2025•1 hr 51 min
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, “ Effectiv...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 30 min
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, “ Eff...
Nov 25, 2025•1 hr 38 min
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 consid...
Nov 22, 2025•1 hr 40 min
Ben, Meg, Michael Baumann, Ben Clemens, and Chris Hanel congregate to review the results of the 2025 minor league free agent draft (11:45) and recap their 40 bold preseason predictions (19:01), following quick games of “2025 College World Series Starting Pitching Matchup or First Amendment Supreme Court Case” (2:58) and “Cedar Rapids Kernel or Character in the Star Wars Universe” (7:42). Audio intro : The Shirey Brothers, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Daniel Leckie, “ Effectively Wild...
Nov 21, 2025•1 hr 37 min
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 Ferri...
Nov 20, 2025•1 hr 43 min
Ben and Meg banter about Based Boras vs. Borscht Belt Boras and a few corny quips they overlooked, then discuss end-of-season awards ( Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh , Paul Skenes vs. Cristopher Sánchez , Skenes as a paid pitchman, José Ramírez MVP shares, Shohei Ohtani ’s dog vs. Judge’s dogs, repetition among award winners, groupthink among voters, WAR preference, bringing back old-school awards, and more) before touching on the news that Padres ownership is exploring a sale. Then (1:13:43) Micha...
Nov 15, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Ben and Meg banter about a hotel-lobby shrine to Addison Barger and Scott Boras wordplay at the GM meetings, Stat Blast (25:50) about Paul DePodesta’s comeback, POBO percentage, postseason questions, and Mike Greenwell , and (1:01:07) conduct the 11th annual free agent contract over/under draft, plus a Boras postscript. Audio intro : Beatwriter, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “ Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic) ” Link to Barger story Link to Marriot...
Nov 13, 2025•1 hr 39 min
Ben and Meg break down the federal indictment of Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz , including the documentary and statistical evidence of their alleged pitch-fixing, the implications for the sport and sports gambling, the unanswered questions, the dark comedy, and more (plus a real-time reaction to an MLB betting reform and an answer to an email about parenting in the age of ubiquitous sports-betting ads). Audio intro : Ted O., “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Jonathan Crymes, “ Effectiv...
Nov 11, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Ben and Meg banter about the Rockies reportedly hiring Paul DePodesta as their new head of baseball operations, another managerial hiring, MLB’s World Series ratings bonanza, the resurgence of the splitter, the Royals extending Salvador Perez , and more. Then (44:30) they bring on Ben Clemens to discuss his ranking of this offseason’s top 50 free agents, the strengths and weaknesses of the class as a whole, some notable free agents from Kyle Tucker on down, players he’s high/low on, and how the ...
Nov 07, 2025•1 hr 38 min
