Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2513: Abandon Zyhir Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tarik-skubal/22267/stats/pitching] from multiple angles: the Tigers’ return, expectations for Skubal and the Dodgers, why other teams let the trade happen, and the significance for the sport. Then they discuss a smattering of other moves (including deals for Freddy Peralta [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/freddy-peralta/18679/stats/pitching] and Luis Castillo [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/luis-castillo/15689/stats/pitching]) before closing banter about a shampoo disclosure in the Baltimore booth. Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zryFrA5vGf46iu7jSvWSrkrDXTfJ3zY/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C85Waxu-ubj5VEkl5qCROdNaEAdUbcl4/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Ben on the Skubal trade [https://www.theringer.com/2026/08/02/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers-detroit-tigers-tarik-skubal-mlb-trade-deadline] Link to Other Ben on the Skubal trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dodgers-acquire-tarik-skubal-in-deadline-blockbuster] Link to Longenhagen on the Skubal trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/in-detroits-valley-of-darkness-a-river-of-hope] Link to Sheehan on the Skubal trade [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/08/newsletter-excerpt-august-2-2026-rage.html] Link to Paine on the Skubal trade [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/the-dodgers-havent-ruined-baseball] Link to Dodgers discourse article [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7486126/2026/08/02/tarik-skubal-dodgers-trade-reaction-mlb-lockout/] Link to Friedman quote [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49484942/dodgers-expect-ohtani-rejoin-rotation-check-skubal] Link to FG’s pre-deadline top 100 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-pre-trade-deadline-top-100-prospects-update] Link to SP RoS projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/projections?type=rfangraphsdc&stats=sta&pos=all&team=0&players=0&lg=all&z=1785584933&sortcol=15&sortdir=asc&pageitems=30&statgroup=dashboard&fantasypreset=dashboard] Link to Baumann on the Brewers/Rays [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-rays-or-brewers-must-trade-for-tarik-skubal] Link to FG playoff odds [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/fg/div] Link to San Andreas meme [https://en.meming.world/wiki/Ah_Shit,_Here_We_Go_Again] Link to payroll/winning correlation [https://substack.com/@neilpaine/note/c-305357810] Link to more on payroll/winning correlation [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/is-it-getting-tougher-to-build-a] Link to Rosenthal column [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7474087/2026/07/28/mlb-competitive-balance-standings/] Link to Dodgers playoff improvement [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/have-the-dodgers-finally-cracked] Link to BP on competitive balance [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/104290/changing-speeds-what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-competitive-balance/] Link to Sheehan on rentals [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/07/newsletter-excerpt-july-27-2026-rentals.html] Link to Clemens on rentals [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-weekly-mailbag-august-1-2026/] Link to Paine on deadline impact [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/we-love-the-mlb-trade-deadline-but] Link to Cooper on prospect trades [https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/how-often-do-prospects-traded-at-the-deadline-become-successful-mlb-players/] Link to FG farm rankings [https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/farm-system-rankings] Link to FG on the Peralta trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/rays-trade-for-freddy-peralta-because-too-much-pitching-is-never-enough] Link to MLBTR on the Castillo trade [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/white-sox-to-acquire-luis-castillo.html] Link to FG on the Twins trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/twins-bolster-pitching-depth-as-surprise-deadline-buyers] Link to FG on the Brewers/Guardians trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/bo-naylor-is-milwaukee-bound-as-brewers-guardians-exchange-depth-pieces] Link to FG on the Atlanta/KC trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-lane-train-is-atlanta-bound] Link to MLBTR on the Doval trade [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/08/yankees-trade-camilo-doval-pirates.html] Link to Paine on everybody being a buyer [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/almost-everybody-in-baseball-is-still] Link to “C’mon, do something” meme [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/cmon-do-something] Link to Queens vs. Heights gamer [https://abc7.com/post/wpbl-opener-la-queens-face-new-york-heights-inaugural-game-womens-pro-baseball-league/19612162/] Link to The West Wing scene [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN8U-TSbfwE] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN8U-TSbfwE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN8U-TSbfwE [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-2513-abandon-zyhir-hope-all-ye-who-enter-here/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2512: The Superhero Baseball Draft

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 brings on baseball-loving comic-book experts David Harper [https://bsky.app/profile/davidharper.bsky.social] (of SKTCHD and Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast) and Tiffany Babb [https://bsky.app/profile/explodingarrow.bsky.social] (of The Comics Courier, The Comics Staple, The Fan Files, and Interesting Jobs the Podcast) to assemble superpowered baseball teams. First they banter about Harrison Bader [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/harrison-bader/18030/stats/batting]’s scooter troubles and David’s and Tiffany’s baseball/comic-book backgrounds, trade-deadline desires, and favorite baseball/comics crossovers. Then (37:20) they take turns filling out rosters from the ranks of Marvel/DC superheroes. Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ypilLuC54vxaDVVNtUuHSx9gP2ZcLug/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/19KwOxp2kpN60CdFDMpP6Za73FHrfwofC/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Bader article 1 [https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/new-details-emerge-harrison-bader-s-late-night-22367593.php] Link to Bader article 2 [https://sfist.com/2026/07/29/sf-giants-troubles-continue-as-outfielder-harrison-bader-has-scooter-accident-and-tickets-go/] Link to Bader article 3 [https://nypost.com/2026/07/31/sports/harrison-baders-first-season-with-giants-over-after-scooter-crash/] Link to another Bader report [https://x.com/mattblively/status/2083000721717469682] Link to 2014 Bader incident [https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2014/02/04/uf-baseball-suspends-outfielder-bader/31111769007/] Link to Bumgarner story [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19212318/madison-bumgarner-san-francisco-giants-hurt-dirt-bike-accident-dl] Link to Kent injury story 1 [https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2002/0317/1353104.html] Link to Kent injury story 2 [https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Giants-probing-Kent-s-injury-claim-Two-911-2863515.php] Link to Giants vehicular injuries [https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-07-31/giants-harrison-bader-scooter-fire-truck-foot-injury-contract-void-jeff-kent-motorcycle] Link to Bader suspension article [https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/suspend-payment-harrison-bader-scooter-crash/1953653/] Link to MLBTR on Bader’s suspension [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/giants-suspending-payment-to-harrison-bader-after-scooter-accident.html] Link to Shanahan injury article [https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1123593/kyle-shanaha-car-accident-cover-up-49ers-nfl-conspiracy] Link to Midnight Sun Game [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Sun_Game] Link to Midnight Sons wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Sons] Link to Brand New Day box office [https://deadline.com/2026/07/box-office-spider-man-brand-new-day-1237014268/] Link to The Death of Superman wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Superman] Link to Goldman on power levels [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/13878/the-bp-broadside-who-is-stronger-a-rod-or-spider-man/] Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 1 [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/15702/wezen-ball-the-greatest-comic-ever/] Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 2 [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/13977/wezen-ball-playing-baseball-in-the-land-of-superheroes/] Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 3 [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/12941/wezen-ball-baseballs-superheroes/] Link to superhero strength scale wiki [https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Strength_Scale] Link to Peanuts podcast episode [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tbg-73-charlie-browns-all-stars-with-ben-lindbergh/id1727260674?i=1000752257667] Link to Joe Shlabotnik wiki [https://peanuts.fandom.com/wiki/Joe_Shlabotnik] Link to Peanuts baseball analysis [https://web.archive.org/web/20150507031340/http://wezen-ball.com/2010-articles/calculating-charlie-browns-wins-losses-a-other-stats-introduction.html] Link to FG on the Angels/Rangers trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-curious-incident-of-the-angels-rangers-trade-in-the-night-time/] Link to MLBTR on the Minter trade [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/twins-to-acquire-a-j-minter.html] Link to West Coast Avengers Annual #2 [https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/17939/west_coast_avengers_annual_1986_2] Link to Bullseye bio [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullseye_(Marvel_Comics)#Early_life] Link to David’s Eisner acceptance speech [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWOpt_bFPFc] Link to Eisner Awards wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisner_Awards] Link to SKTCHD [https://sktchd.com/] Link to Off Panel [https://sktchd.com/podcast/] Link to SKTCHD draft post [https://sktchd.com/longform/a-justice-league-of-their-own-fantasy-drafting-the-best-comic-baseball-teams-possible/] Link to SKTCHD HoF post [https://sktchd.com/column/the-hall-of-fame-of-superhero-comics-being-weird-at-sports/] Link to SKTCHD Avengers post [https://sktchd.com/column/comics-seriously-the-avengers-go-moneyball/] Link to Tiffany’s website [https://www.tiffanybabb.com/] Link to The Comics Courier [https://www.tiffanybabb.com/the-comics-courier] Link to The Comics Staple [https://www.tiffanybabb.com/the-comics-staple] Link to Interesting Jobs the Podcast [https://rss.com/podcasts/interesting-jobs-the-podcast/] Link to The Fan Files [https://www.thefanfiles.com/] Link to The Fan Files Insta videos [https://www.instagram.com/_thefanfiles/] Link to The Fan Files TikTok videos [https://www.tiktok.com/@thefanfiles] Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 1 [https://web.archive.org/web/20131021094729/http://extramustard.si.com/2013/10/17/which-superhero-would-be-best-at-baseball-a-scientific-study-part-1/] Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 2 [https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2013/10/22/which-superhero-would-be-best-at-baseball-a-scientific-study-part-2-the-results] Link to Clemens home run video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsVVASg9HkE] Link to Clemens home run article [https://www.mlb.com/news/kody-clemens-hits-walk-off-grand-slam-in-twins-win-vs-royals] Link to Clemens fun facts thread [https://x.com/dohyoungpark/status/2082935840117039518] Link to ultimate grand slam wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk-off_home_run#Ultimate_grand_slam] [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-2512-the-superhero-baseball-draft/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2511: Will the WPBL Be a W?

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of Ben’s jury duty and Meg’s first colonoscopy, then discuss an investigation into Dodgers owner Mark Walter’s finances, Roki Sasaki’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/roki-sasaki/35323/stats/pitching]s big glove, Munetaka Murakami’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/munetaka-murakami/37120/stats/batting]s performance against good velocity, a squirrel sighting (and top prospect Max Clark’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/maxwell-clark/sa3022683/stats/batting]s arrival) in Detroit, baseball’s animal kingdom, who gets to claim Jimothy, the frustrating Mariners, Curtis Mead [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/curtis-mead/23986/stats/batting]’s im-mead-iate injury, and pre-deadline unrest in Philly. Then (1:05:16) FanGraphs contributor Kiri Oler [https://bsky.app/profile/kirio.bsky.social] joins to preview the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural season and consider its prospects for long-term success. Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MDiYT6nzp-be6mFJdJgEZtCfPxSRWERW/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wNnie0fLF2HVQsb4d-w5OqxMzyqfvImV/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RRfThaYTS3pNyN08OEGLJLdhXRb-wIUZ/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to WSJ on Walter’s finances [https://www.wsj.com/finance/regulation/federal-probe-into-dodgers-owners-financial-empire-was-sparked-by-whistleblower-013b0053] Link to WSJ on Walter’s stroke [https://www.wsj.com/finance/dodgers-owner-at-center-of-federal-probe-suffered-stroke-in-2024-e09c8ab3] Link to Ben on the Dodgers in 2015 [https://grantland.com/the-triangle/mlb-los-angeles-dodgers-outlook-2015-and-beyond/] Link to WSJ on Sasaki [https://www.wsj.com/sports/baseball/roki-sasaki-large-glove-dodgers-e0742b7c] Link to June FG post on Sasaki [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/roki-sasaki-is-putting-it-all-together] Link to Roki’s rolling WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/roki-sasaki/35323/graphs?position=P&statArr=59&legend=1%2C2&split=base&time=game&ymin=&ymax=&start=2025&end=2026&rtype=mult>1=2&dStatArray=] Link to Roki’s four-seamer speed by start [https://www.brooksbaseball.net/velo.php?player=808963&b_hand=-1&gFilt=regular&pFilt=FA&time=game&minmax=ci&var=mph&s_type=2&startDate=01/01/2026&endDate=01/01/2027] Link to Murakami vs. velo article [https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/munetaka-murakami-is-crushing-high-velocity-in-mlb] Link to extended squirrel video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJj6D3FPF1M] Link to MLB.com squirrel article [https://www.mlb.com/news/squirrel-on-the-field-at-comerica-park-causes-chase] Link to BP squirrel article [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/108969/box-score-banter-2026-topsy-turvy-joc-pederson/] Link to PAWS page [https://www.mlb.com/tigers/fans/paws] Link to animal appearances video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HthQkLtpwA] Link to MLB.com on Clark’s call-up [https://www.mlb.com/news/max-clark-callup-by-tigers] Link to BP on Clark’s call-up [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/109063/the-call-up-max-clark/] Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Baseball_exceptionalism] Link to Jimothy wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimothy_(raccoon)] Link to M’s Jimothy promotion [https://www.instagram.com/p/DbYrfFMAGxD/] Link to Trash Pandas’ Jimothy promotion [https://x.com/trashpandas/status/2082209487293919733] Link to food guarding info [https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/food-guarding] Link to Mead injury article [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49474507/reports-red-sox-put-curtis-mead-il-broken-wrist] Link to Mead recovery report [https://x.com/ChrisCotillo/status/2082585250647982189] Link to BP IL Triage tool [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/109050/how-long-will-he-be-out/] Link to Gelb on the Phillies [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7478646/2026/07/29/phillies-slump-trade-deadline-bryce-harper-dave-dombrowski/] Link to Paine on the Phillies [https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/are-the-phillies-phavorites-or-phrauds] Link to WPBL wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Pro_Baseball_League] Link to Kiri on the WPBL teams [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-wpbl-has-teams-and-players-now/] Link to Kiri on WPBL managers [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/meet-the-managers-of-the-wpbl/] Link to Kiri’s 2025 pod appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2272-leagues-of-their-own/] Link to Kiri on other women’s leagues [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/what-the-upstart-wpbl-should-learn-from-other-womens-sports-leagues/] Link to WPBL team pages [https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/teams-overview/] Link to AP on the WPBL [https://apnews.com/article/womens-baseball-history-wpbl-70befa0286e29ef678104cfae9682698] Link to ESPN’s WPBL press release [https://espnpressroom.com/press-release/espn-secures-media-rights-to-womens-pro-baseball-league-bringing-full-season-and-playoffs-to-espn-starting-august-1/] Link to 2025 WPBL announcement [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6808743/2025/11/17/wpbl-robin-roberts-stadium-illinois-venue/] Link to Women’s Baseball World Cup article [https://www.mlb.com/news/usa-australia-canada-advance-to-women-s-baseball-world-cup-finals] Link to Ben on the OWL [https://www.theringer.com/2018/01/17/video-games/esports-the-overwatch-league-debut-new-york-excelsior] Link to A League of Their Own scene [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyiQl2mDHsE] Link to Roki game story [https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/roki-sasaki-strikes-out-seven-earns-win-vs-mariners] [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-2511-will-the-wpbl-be-a-w/]

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] 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[https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2509-wont-stand-for-it/]