Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2510: The Desire to Acquire

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s daughter’s first MLB game, and Ben briefly interviews the four-year-old Sloan about her spectator experience. Then they discuss the MVP races (with an emphasis on Pete Crow-Armstrong’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/pete-crow-armstrong/27769/stats/batting]s status as the NL frontrunner over Shohei Ohtani [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats/batting]), the Nationals and Red Sox swapping Curtis Mead [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/curtis-mead/23986/stats/batting] and Connelly Early [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/connelly-early/33666/stats/pitching], a Kerry Wood [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kerry-wood/304/stats/pitching] trick pitch, John Kruk [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/john-kruk/1007184/stats/batting]’s Sunday Night Baseball attire, teams’ tendency to covet Tarik Skubal [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tarik-skubal/22267/stats/pitching] vs. their reluctance to trade top prospects for rental players, and the biggest pre-deadline positional strengths for non-contenders and positional weaknesses for contenders. Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJziS-LZMoyB13avq991af2-c9KaGfoU/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OsA2tZMe8hrgFONo1iYv7od0ZFea8mpx/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Dodgers vs. Mets game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN202607250.shtml] Link to “if baseball were different” wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/If_Baseball_Were_Different] Link to Goodnight Baseball [https://shop.capstonepub.com/Shop/s/product/detail/01t4z00000Ad1FGAAZ?srsltid=AfmBOorXvdUBkXZIovkC674lTAfw02nlD4kYuBl6vIjPmbvcK4Yv1Fiq] Link to Decoy Saves Opening Day [https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/decoysavesopeningday] Link to Moana box office [https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/moana-box-office-bomb-disney-live-action-remakes-1236810179/] Link to Maui’s nipples article 1 [https://thetab.com/filmshrine/2026/07/10/the-rock-has-addressed-the-very-strange-debate-over-mauis-missing-nipples-in-live-action-moana/] Link to Maui’s nipples article 2 [https://www.justjared.com/2026/07/10/moana-director-explains-dwayne-johnsons-maui-wig-missing-nipples/] Link to Disney nipples history [https://haveamagicalday.tumblr.com/post/81138010587/so-how-come-some-disney-men-have-nipples-but] Link to Mario nipples article [https://slate.com/technology/2017/09/marios-nipples-are-not-what-they-seem.html] Link to FG WAR leaderboard [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?teamid=&lg=] Link to B-Ref WAR leaderboard [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_top_ten.shtml] Link to Roberts on MVP Ohtani [https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/2081128901091209590] Link to Ohtani pen session news [https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-cancels-bullpen-session-amid-left-knee-injury] Link to top baserunners [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=nl&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&sortcol=18&sortdir=default&qual=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-07-26&team=0] Link to Paine on PCA [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/pete-crow-armstrong-is-the-key-to] Link to Witt injury article [https://www.mlb.com/news/bobby-witt-jr-to-injured-list-with-lower-back-tightness] Link to MLBTR on the Nats-Sox trade [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/red-sox-trade-connelly-early-to-nationals-for-curtis-mead.html] Link to FG on the Nats-Sox trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mead-for-early-its-a-challenge-trade/] Link to Red Sox HR leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&team=3&qual=0&sortcol=4&sortdir=default&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-07-26] Link to Breslow quote [https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2026/07/craig-breslow-explains-why-red-sox-made-incredibly-uncomfortable-connelly-early-curtis-mead-trade.html] Link to Friedman quote [https://x.com/ByMcCullough/status/806277985535922176] Link to winner’s curse wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winner%27s_curse] Link to team SP projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=SP] Link to Mead injury article [https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2026/07/red-sox-trade-addition-curtis-mead-removed-from-his-first-game-with-team-after-hbp.html] Link to Wood Reddit post [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1v6rsde/kerry_wood_returns_to_wrigley_for_the_first_time/] Link to Wood tweet [https://x.com/CodifyBaseball/status/2081182644126236806] Link to “what kind of move” tweet [https://x.com/MikeIsaac/status/2006039159195197921] Link to Meg’s Kruk post [https://bsky.app/profile/megrowler.fangraphs.com/post/3mrljzt7f3c2x] Link to article on Kruk broadcast [https://www.mlb.com/news/john-kruk-makes-nbc-booth-laugh-during-sunday-night-baseball] Link to Sheehan on rentals [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/07/newsletter-excerpt-july-27-2026-rentals.html] Link to Cooper on traded prospects [https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/how-often-do-prospects-traded-at-the-deadline-become-successful-mlb-players/] Link to Paine on deadline deals [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/we-love-the-mlb-trade-deadline-but] Link to Dan S. on deadline importance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/yes-pennants-can-be-lost-in-april/] Link to irresistible force paradox [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irresistible_force_paradox] Link to Juggernaut meme [https://knowyourmeme.com/sensitive/memes/im-the-juggernaut-bitch] Link to replacement-level killers series [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-2026-replacement-level-killers-introduction-catcher/] Link to FG playoff odds [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/fg/mlb?date=2026-07-27] Link to projected positional WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/projections/playing-time/totals] Link to Ben’s color-coded spreadsheet [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WC2I3TLp9xlQ2KqrQoBVEYJ5G9HCKYPjYUSMS0sZPds/edit?usp=sharing] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2510-the-desire-to-acquire/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2509: Won’t Stand for It

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild/membership]. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Donald Trump claim about Shohei Ohtani [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats/batting], José Caballero’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jose-caballero/23401/stats/batting]s battle with MLB about his pre-pitch routine, Yandy Díaz [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/yandy-diaz/16578/stats/batting] spurning ABS, James Wood’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/james-wood/29518/stats/batting]s impressive results with a seemingly suboptimal approach, whether the Nats would be better off if they hadn’t traded pitching prior to the season, David Rubenstein’s Orioles optimism, and Corbin Carroll [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/corbin-carroll/25878/stats/batting]’s triples pace. Then (1:04:45) they talk to EW listener Jacob Redmon, who found himself at the center of a viral video this week when he was slapped by a man who objected to his staying seated during the National Anthem, about how the incident developed, what the video didn’t show, and what he took from the experience. Finally (1:57:33), Ben talks to Kenny Lofton [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kenny-lofton/246/stats/batting] about his exclusion from the Hall of Fame, his Cooperstown-caliber career, and his outlook for induction. Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_u1OHC8kumMkTfl2QWSo4FRlkFWvOcHB/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/14GwETbHV9icxS2-FKQXWPNtoJKy1U55L/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Trump on Ohtani [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oeNJ636oW3w] Link to Trump on Kershaw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYtLHDaElBA] Link to White House visit recap [https://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-news-notes/120322/dodgers-donald-trump-white-house-vist-dalton-rushing] Link to EW on Trump’s baseball career [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1539-its-not-the-destination-its-the-journeyman/] Link to Caballero video 1 [https://x.com/JomboyMedia/status/2066322037849657361] Link to Caballero video 2 [https://www.reddit.com/r/NYYankees/comments/1v24rdt/dennis_santana_and_jose_caballero_bark_at_one/] Link to Caballero video 3 [https://x.com/TalkinYanks/status/2080058725239296216] Link to Caballero comments [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opL9LALzZjo] Link to Caballero article 1 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7367567/2026/06/16/mlb-jose-caballero-pitch-clock-yankees/] Link to Caballero article 2 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7460075/2026/07/21/jose-caballero-yankees-benches-clear-pitch-clock/] Link to Caballero article 3 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7464536/2026/07/22/jose-caballero-yankees-mlb-pitch-clock-rules/] Link to Caballero article 4 [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49427759/yankees-caballero-hit-pitch-clock-violation-crackdown] Link to Caballero article 5 [https://www.mlb.com/news/james-rowson-ejected-after-jose-caballero-pitch-timer-violation] Link to Caballero article 6 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-weekly-mailbag-july-25-2026/] Link to “violation” comment [https://bsky.app/profile/mattmartell.fangraphs.com/post/3mrbbdwrwus2m] Link to CloseCallSports video 1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYawFNBmpQw] Link to CloseCallSports video 2 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckYJc7jFDPw] Link to Stanky draft episode [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1813-the-stanky-draft/] Link to Crizer on Yandy [https://bandwagon.ghost.io/individual-games/] Link to Yandy article 1 [https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2026/06/20/yandy-diaz-american-league-leaders-designated-hitter/] Link to Santana article [https://www.mlb.com/news/dennis-santana-jose-caballero-benches-clear] Link to MLBTR on Santana [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/pirates-acquire-ron-marinaccio-designate-dennis-santana-for-assignment.html] Link to Yandy article 2 [https://www.beisbolfr.com/p/the-insider-fr-a-proven-hitter-and] Link to batting team challenges [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/abs-challenges?gameType=regular&year=2026&challengeType=batting-team&level=mlb&minChal=1&minOppChal=0&sort=n_challenges&sortDir=desc&page=0&pageSize=50] Link to Sam on bad challenges [https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/the-mystery-of-the-low-stakes-way] Link to BP piece on Wood [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/108904/across-the-pond-james-wood-breaks-the-rules-of-hitting/] Link to EW on Wood in 2025 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2313-great-sports-content/] Link to Nats WAR leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?lg=&teamid=24] Link to team hitting WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-07-23&month=1000] Link to team pitching WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sortcol=20&sortdir=default&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-07-23] Link to Rubenstein quote [https://x.com/JakeDRill/status/2080727751615472005] Link to Rubenstein quote thread [https://x.com/afkostka/status/2080741138462351569] Link to Carroll triples fact [https://x.com/MLBStats/status/2080684231567544487] Link to triples park factor [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/statcast-park-factors?type=year&year=2026&batSide=&stat=index_wOBA&condition=All&rolling=3&parks=mlb] Link to “55 burgers” ITYSL sketch [https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/166b0kc/55_burgers_55_fries/] Link to National Anthem [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvf81y3lTUw] Link to slap video [https://www.instagram.com/p/DbBmaywTOUa/] Link to Lucy Dacus tweet [https://x.com/lucydacus/status/2080032816415285268] Link to Lucy Dacus shirt [https://lucydacus.store/products/music-for-hot-people-tee?srsltid=AfmBOopXxROuK8BwQbG9-uHkCMI375crh8_-awepwbKYXKgKqQG8JxsZ] Link to Wednesday concert [https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wednesday/2026/basilica-hudson-hudson-ny-3b73fc0c.html] Link to Chavez video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSscCYpYGrc] Link to Cubs statement [https://www.wane.com/news/viral-video-shows-man-slapping-another-man-for-sitting-down-during-national-anthem-at-wrigley-field/] Link to EW Episode 2189 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2189-dont-sell-umpires-shorts/] Link to 2022 Hoerner homer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trgFjO-ZAMU] Link to “third place” wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place] Link to Ben on the Hall of Fame [https://www.theringer.com/2026/07/24/mlb/baseball-hall-of-fame-steroid-era-redo-bbwaa-ballot-kenny-lofton] Link to Lofton highlights video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOOfjPkbTYs] Link to Lofton playoffs video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wALJm2BrxJQ] Link to CF JAWS leaders [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_CF.shtml] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2509-wont-stand-for-it/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2508: Deadline Deliberations

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s ongoing jury service and meet major leaguers Zac Thornton [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/zachary-thornton/33891/stats/pitching] and Tyron Guerrero [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tayron-guerrero/11691/stats/pitching], who used to be—but also never really were?—named Zach Thornton and Tayron Guerrero, respectively. Then (35:29) they attempt to diagnose Cal Raleigh’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/cal-raleigh/21534/stats/batting]s offensive ills, check in on Patrick Bailey [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/patrick-bailey/27478/stats/batting]’s bat, examine how the Red Sox and Phillies wound up where they were supposed to be by a very roundabout route, assess the state of trade-deadline speculation, and consider where they would want a few top trade candidates to go. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZIp68xsf3VligZWlp_LIlfw_k-0KNsJt/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IdOM-zb7R8ln39HiJsfTKpQCOdvTF7fd/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Meet a Major Leaguer wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Meet_a_Major_Leaguer] Link to semantic satiation wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_satiation] Link to Newsday on Thornton [https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/zac-thornton-name-spelling-co27f74y] Link to Thornton’s Grand Canyon page [https://gculopes.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-thornton/10829] Link to Guerrero call-up article [https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2026/05/chad-tracy-explains-red-sox-roster-moves-why-35-year-old-deserved-first-call-up-since-2019.html] Link to Cotillo’s Guerrero tweet [https://x.com/ChrisCotillo/status/2057943613544214656] Link to Guerrero name pronunciation [https://mktg.mlbstatic.com/redsox/audio/pronunciation-guide/tyron-guerrero.m4a] Link to Guerrero wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyron_Guerrero] Link to MLBTR on Guerrero [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/red-sox-to-select-tayron-guerrero.html] Link to The Land Before Time characters [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Land_Before_Time_characters] Link to Soroka name tweet [https://x.com/mlbbowman/status/1623812803214671874] Link to Britton name article [https://www.mlb.com/cut4/zach-britton-has-changed-his-name-to-zack-britton-c303645592] Link to Varland name article [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6157525/2025/02/25/twins-louis-varland-name-change/] Link to Lovelady name article [https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article309254670.html] Link to Stanton name decision [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giancarlo_Stanton#Personal_life] Link to Carmona/Hernández name change [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Hern%C3%A1ndez_(starting_pitcher)#Name_and_age_controversy] Link to Jerry Gergich wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Gergich] Link to Raleigh batted-ball profile [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/cal-raleigh-663728?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb#batted_ball_profile] Link to Sam’s Raleigh posts [https://bsky.app/profile/sammillerbb.bsky.social/post/3mr4vj5nz2s2b] Link to Raleigh’s 2025 splits [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=raleica01&year=2025&t=b] Link to Raleigh’s 2026 splits [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=raleica01&year=2026&t=b] Link to original Bailey discussion [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2477-can-cleveland-framemog-the-majors/] Link to profane, offensive Ferguson [https://bsky.app/profile/jomboymedia-mirror.bsky.social/post/3mr4zyyckej2h] Link to hitting after IBB article 1 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/what-actually-happens-after-an-intentional-walk/] Link to hitting after IBB article 2 [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/26114/bp-unfiltered-to-answer-your-question-about-performance-after-intentional-walks/] Link to hitting after IBB article 3 [https://theanalyst.com/articles/intentional-walks-mlb-worth-the-risk] Link to preseason playoff odds [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/fg/mlb?date=2026-03-25] Link to updated playoff odds [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/fg/mlb?date=2026-07-21] Link to Breslow on the deadline [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/20/sports/red-sox-trade-deadline-craig-breslow/] Link to Crizer on the Red Sox [https://bandwagon.ghost.io/14-thoughts-on-14-straight-red-sox-wins/] Link to Slaten quote [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/20/sports/red-sox-win-streak/] Link to Dan S. on managerial firings [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/do-manager-firings-really-change-team-trajectories/] Link to BaseRuns standings [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/pythagorean-baseruns] Link to team batting WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-07-20&month=1000] Link to team pitching WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0&month=1000&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-07-20] Link to team 2B WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&qual=0&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=&filter=&players=0&type=8&month=37&sortcol=21&sortdir=asc&pagenum=1] Link to The Athletic trade candidates [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7448958/2026/07/20/mlb-trade-deadline-big-board-2-0-pitchers/] Link to ESPN trade candidates [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49082474/ranking-mlb-trade-deadline-candidates-top-100-skubal-chapman-peralta-arraez] Link to MLBTR on Arraez [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/report-giants-have-not-discussed-extension-with-luis-arraez.html] Link to Goodman rumor [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49375888/mlb-2026-all-star-week-buzz-trade-deadline-rumors-intel-tarik-skubal-luis-arraez-mets-red-sox] Link to MLBTR on the Goodman rumor [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/yankees-have-shown-past-interest-in-hunter-goodman.html] Link to MLBTR on the Angels’ deadline [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/john-mozeliak-discusses-angels-deadline.html] Link to JKG injury article [https://www.mlb.com/news/joshua-kuroda-grauer-placed-on-injured-list] Link to Crotchfelt signing [https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2026/07/new-york-mets-sign-nj-baseball-alum-to-mlb-contract-after-he-made-history-in-college-world-series.html] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2508-deadline-deliberations/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2507: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Named

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s jury duty and his reaction to Meg and Craig’s pillow talk on the preceding episode. Then they discuss why All-Star Game pitching is overpowering, whether the Home Run Derby balls were juiced (and whether it matters), another earliest-ever Opening Day, MLB’s crackdown on teams’ boundary-pushing use of dugout iPads, Shohei Ohtani [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats/batting]’s pitching pause, MLB app complaints, extensions for Chase Burns [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/chase-burns/35333/stats/pitching] and Kyle Bradish [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kyle-bradish/24586/stats/pitching], Luis Arraez [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/luis-arraez/18568/stats/batting] as a prize of the trade deadline, and the funniest tech startups the Dodgers have seeded. Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ShNIfvqdt84DII-pVYvCp32cIpVIP2V5/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WrPfzMAqjbs7sudd3ufBF9DQ6CUJQBgI/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to EW Episode 2506 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2506-all-star-showers-bring-second-half-flowers/] Link to Kepner on the ASG [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7446647/2026/07/15/mlb-all-star-game-pitching-history/] Link to 2018 ASG box score [https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/2018-allstar-game.shtml] Link to Heyman on Harper [https://nypost.com/2026/07/16/sports/bryce-harper-claims-home-run-derby-balls-are-juiced-as-mlb-pushes-back/] Link to Insta post with Harper quote [https://www.instagram.com/p/Da5kR11mmCq/?img_index=4] Link to MLB HRD notes [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1agFklIX29uAzHRn4w7kwBdAZOgCs83OJ/view?usp=sharing] Link to longest Harper homers [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfGT=R%7CPO%7C&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&player_type=batter&batters_lookup%5B%5D=547180&metric_1=api_h_distance_projected&metric_1_gt=450&group_by=name-event&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&player_event_sort=api_h_distance_projected&sort_order=desc&chk_event_release_speed=on&chk_event_hit_distance_sc=on#results] Link to longest Caminero homers [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfGT=R%7CPO%7C&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&player_type=batter&batters_lookup%5B%5D=691406&metric_1=api_h_distance_projected&metric_1_gt=450&group_by=name-event&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&player_event_sort=api_h_distance_projected&sort_order=desc&chk_event_release_speed=on&chk_event_hit_distance_sc=on#results] Link to longest Contreras homers [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfGT=R%7CPO%7C&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&player_type=batter&batters_lookup%5B%5D=575929&metric_1=api_h_distance_projected&metric_1_gt=450&group_by=name-event&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&player_event_sort=api_h_distance_projected&sort_order=desc&chk_event_release_speed=on&chk_event_hit_distance_sc=on#results] Link to exit speed responsibility [https://web.archive.org/web/20150523115311/http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/a-baseballs-exit-velocity-is-five-parts-hitter-one-part-pitcher/] Link to 2024 NBA ASG wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_All-Star_Game] Link to 2026 NBA ASG wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_All-Star_Game] Link to top-selling jerseys [https://www.mlb.com/news/most-popular-mlb-player-jerseys-heading-into-opening-day-2026] Link to Sheehan on the lack of stars [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/07/newsletter-excerpt-july-15-2026.html] Link to Paine on ASG philosophies [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/we-dont-know-what-we-want-from-all] Link to 2027 MLB schedule [https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2027-schedule-released] Link to EW season preview series wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Season_Preview_Series] Link to World Cup expansion [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7440104/2026/07/12/world-cup-expansion-64-teams-2030-infantino/] Link to March Madness expansion [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7261356/2026/05/07/ncaa-tournament-expansion-76-teams-2027/] Link to Ohtani news [https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-scratched-from-start-on-wednesday] Link to ulnar nerve entrapment [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22272-ulnar-nerve-entrapment] Link to MLB app betting odds [https://x.com/dougherty_jesse/status/2076359643282981184] Link to latest FG app updates [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-changelog-prospects-are-now-in-the-app-and-rosterresource-additions/] Link to The Athletic iPads report [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7448900/2026/07/16/mlb-bans-ai-dugout-ipads/] Link to Ben on front office encroachment [https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/23/mlb/keep-mlb-front-offices-off-the-field-pitch-calling-scouting-cards] Link to Ottavino clip [https://x.com/SleeperMets/status/2078189040306663865] Link to Dubuque on Burns [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/108752/the-reds-commit-to-an-endless-chase/] Link to Bradish on Burns [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/pay-day-comes-for-chase-burns/] Link to MLBTR on Burns [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/reds-extend-chase-burns-seven-years-105-million.html] Link to Trent’s tweet about Burns [https://x.com/ctrent/status/2078536557951389849] Link to Burns pitch usage [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/chase-burns/35333/stats/pitching#pitch-type-velo] Link to MLB pitching WAR leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-07-18&team=0&qual=0] Link to MLBTR on Bradish [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/orioles-kyle-bradish-agree-to-five-year-extension.html] Link to sweepstakes wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweepstake] Link to sweeps week wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_Media_Research#Sweeps] Link to MLBTR on Arraez [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/luis-arraez-hopeful-of-staying-at-second-base-if-traded.html] Link to Andrews on Arraez [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/luis-arraezs-launch-angle-revolution/] Link to BZZR article 1 [https://www.chron.com/news/article/rangers-streaming-service-change-22347729.php] Link to BZZR article 2 [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/texas-rangers-fans-demand-refunds-200019222.html] Link to BZZR article 3 [https://www.sportico.com/leagues/baseball/2026/texas-rangers-victory-bzzr-streaming-price-why-change-1234939332/] Link to BZZR article 4 [https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/article/bzzr-adding-tools-rangers-fans-making-streaming-22350703.php] Link to FOIAball post [https://www.foiaball.com/p/college-football-laundry-detergent-renegade-los-angeles-dodgers] Link to 2015 Dodgers investment news [https://www.mlb.com/news/rga-los-angeles-dodgers-accelerator-announces-program-companies/c-145086162] Link to 2016 Dodgers investment news [https://www.mlb.com/press-release/the-la-dodgers-and-r-ga-announce-second-sports-accelerator-program-com-197648280] Link to 2018 Dodgers investment news [https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-launch-global-sports-venture-studio-c264422258] Link to R/GA companies page [https://ventures.rga.com/portfolio/] Link to Global Sports Venture Studio [https://www.globalsportsventurestudio.com/] Link to Elysian Park companies page [https://elysianpark.ventures/our-companies/] Link to 2023 Elysian Park article [https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/08/14/venture-capital/] Link to Elysian Park wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysian_Park,_Los_Angeles] Link to Elysian Fields wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysian_Fields_(Hoboken,_New_Jersey)] Link to Gilbert/Creighton interview [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2493-baseball-has-marked-the-time/] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2507-nothing-ventured-nothing-named/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2506: All-Star Showers Bring Second-Half Flowers

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild/membership]. With Ben Lindbergh serving jury duty, Meg Rowley is joined by Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein. The pair discuss the perils of hotel pillows and showers, then turn their attention to the 2026 All-Star Game, how the in-person experience compares to the TV one, and the challenges of making it a fun event relative to the Home Run Derby. Then Craig offers his thoughts on the CBA negotiations and Rob Manfred’s approach to communicating (38:58), before he and Meg discuss a few of the things they are looking forward to (and one thing they’re dreading) about the season’s second half, including the White Sox, good teams playing well, a potentially weird deadline, and Pete Crow-Armstrong [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/pete-crow-armstrong/27769/stats/batting]. Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ndTWsOUXceUIb7RGqCtQChfListDI3GP/view]” Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1l8eZQLuLsu8N0m7MD_FXKbVTkOo_f_Pb?ths=true]” Link to the Five and Dive episode where Craig discusses the Rays [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/107706/five-dive-episode-551-jo-no/] Link to Craig on the weird deadline ahead [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/108709/this-is-shaping-up-to-be-a-weird-deadline/] Link to Steven Goldman on the All-Star Game [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/108716/ycliu-rained-out-at-the-all-star-game/] Link to Jake Mintz on the All-Star Game Sandlot tribute [https://sports.yahoo.com/video/was-the-america-sandlot-tribute-the-highlight-of-the-mlb-all-star-game-160158511.html] Link to Jayson Stark on the AL’s All-Star pitching dominance [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7446676/2026/07/15/mlb-all-star-game-2026-strikeouts-pitching-history/] Link to Andy McCullough on the All-Star Game [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7446438/2026/07/14/american-league-wins-mlb-all-star-2026/] Link to Michael Baumann on Philly as the haters’ All-Star Game [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-haters-all-star-game/] Link to Katie Woo on Jordan Walker [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jordan-walker/27475/stats/batting] [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7446566/2026/07/15/mlb-all-star-jordan-walker-cardinals/] Link to Ben Clemens on Dillion Dingler [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-best-catcher-in-baseball-is-dead-long-live-the-new-best-catcher-in-baseball/] Link to Davy Andrews on Pete Crow-Armstrong [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-weekly-mailbag-july-11-2026/] Link to Ryan Blake on Lance McCullers Jr. Trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lance-mccullers-jr-agrees-to-begin-the-2026-trade-deadline/] Link to Dan Szymborski on an AL team with a losing record making the postseason [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-weekly-mailbag-june-20-2026/] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2506-all-star-showers-bring-second-half-flowers/]