Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2420: The Stories We Missed in 2025 (NL Edition)

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] 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 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IdOM-zb7R8ln39HiJsfTKpQCOdvTF7fd/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/17BLnrn53h0YsHUvT6MqOaWGeKp0bJeQW/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to MLB.com on Soderstrom [https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-soderstrom-extension-with-a-s] Link to MLBTR on Soderstrom [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/athletics-tyler-soderstrom-agree-to-seven-year-extension.html] Link to MLBTR on Refsnyder [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/mariners-sign-rob-refsnyder.html] Link to The Athletic on Refsnyder [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6912434/2025/12/23/seattle-mariners-rob-refsnyder-contract-platoon-bat/] Link to “the grink” tweet [https://x.com/murrman5/status/1179046435737800705] Link to Fowler SABR bio [https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Boob-Fowler/] Link to 1925 article on Fowler [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/187753664/] Link to NL stories spreadsheet [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xDV8vOub7niKb3_847-JmYv5ESqohG_wrTWmlsHjxPo/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-2420-the-stories-we-missed-in-2025-nl-edition/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2419: TJ and TK in Triple-A

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] 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 [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/declan-cronin/25645/stats/pitching], 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 unceremoniously jettisoned by the Marlins, what tearing a UCL feels like, the incentives that lead to elbow problems, Declan’s plan to bounce back from a challenging year, MLB-NWSL romances, and competing with other players for wedding dates. Then (1:05:45), Ben talks to White Sox pitcher/sportswriter Duncan Davitt [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/duncan-davitt/sa3020394/stats/pitching] about becoming a journalist on the side, being on both ends of interviews, being blacked out of baseball broadcasts, the plight and importance of local media, his deceptive delivery, being traded and making a 40-man for the first time, what he has to do to earn a call-up, whether pitchers wear protective cups, and much more. Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WrPfzMAqjbs7sudd3ufBF9DQ6CUJQBgI/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/17xCKWhVd_jYCsHmnzYS21kpPsWJ2zj73/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to “TK” journalism term [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_come_(publishing)] Link to MLBTR on Soderstrom [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/athletics-tyler-soderstrom-agree-to-seven-year-extension.html] Link to Regis High School wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regis_High_School_(New_York_City)] Link to Declan’s first pod appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2040-the-trade-deadline-deals-pt-1/] Link to Declan’s second pod appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2216-fish-food-for-thought/] Link to article about baseball weddings [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5966716/2024/12/17/baseball-weddings-november-december/] Link to Declan t-shirt [https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Declan-Cronin-Baseball-T-Shirt/dp/B0F59V56N7] Link to MLBTR on Declan’s TJ [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/declan-cronin-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery.html] Link to list of TJ surgeries [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gQujXQQGOVNaiuwSN680Hq-FDVsCwvN-3AazykOBON0/edit?usp=sharing] Link to cascade injury article [https://tht.fangraphs.com/tht-live/the-dizzy-dean-injury-cascade/] Link to MLBTR on Declan’s deal [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/rangers-declan-cronin-agree-to-two-year-minor-league-deal.html] Link to team RP WPA [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&qual=0&type=3&season=2025&month=0&season1=2025&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&stats=rel&sortcol=1&sortdir=default&pagenum=1] Link to team RP WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2025&month=0&season1=2025&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&stats=rel&sortcol=20&sortdir=default&pagenum=1] Link to staff page at Tread [https://treadathletics.com/our-team/] Link to Tyler Zombro wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Zombro] Link to Paige Monaghan wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paige_Monaghan] Link to Paige’s wedding post [https://www.instagram.com/p/DSlwNiCADxV/] Link to Dansby/Mallory article [https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/uswnt-mallory-swanson-dansby-swanson-chicago-cubs/bltc4e61589e3cfd89d] Link to Peña/Grosso engagement [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/astros-shortstop-jeremy-pe-engaged-213723513.html] Link to Duncan strikeout reel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlHxB50WicM] Link to Register feature on Duncan [https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/2025/12/17/duncan-davitt-sports-reporter-chicago-white-sox-minor-league-baseball-indianola-indepedent-advocate/87703381007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=undefined&gca-ft=0&gca-ds=sophi] Link to Sox Machine feature on Duncan [https://soxmachine.com/2025/09/new-white-sox-prospect-duncan-davitt-is-trying-to-author-a-story-that-ends-in-chicago] Link to Duncan’s wedding post [https://www.instagram.com/p/DRKeBGTEQs5/] Link to Rays prospect ranking [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/tampa-bay-rays-top-56-prospects/] Link to traded prospects ranking [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/ranking-the-mlb-prospects-traded-at-the-2025-deadline/] Link to minor league IP leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/minor-league?pos=all&level=0&lg=2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,14,12,13,15,16,17,18,30,32&stats=pit&qual=y&type=0&team=&season=2025&seasonEnd=2025&org=&ind=0&splitTeam=false&players=&sort=14,1] Link to Ben on deception [https://www.theringer.com/2021/09/28/mlb/yusmeiro-petit-deception-pitching-delivery-velocity-biomechanics-invisiball] Link to Indianola IA website [https://www.indianola-ia.com/site/about.html] Link to Indianola wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianola,_Iowa] Link to J.D. Scholten appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2190-if-you-call-him-he-will-pitch/] Link to Indianola IA sports page [https://www.indianola-ia.com/sports/] Link to Duncan’s boys’ basketball article [https://www.indianola-ia.com/sports/indianola-boys-fall-in-tight-game-to-norwalk-after-win-over-lincoln/article_362cc5e3-2968-468c-8a1d-74b9d672bbd9.html] Link to Duncan’s girls’ basketball article [https://www.indianola-ia.com/sports/indianola-girls-fall-to-norwalk-after-dominating-lincoln/article_ea8f5dc4-cfab-447f-8c8d-dfa526ad3da4.html] Link to Duncan on the offseason [https://www.indianola-ia.com/opinion/duncan-davitt-finding-your-path-in-the-offseason/article_20ea3038-e70e-11ef-8fd5-a7da3d65ac44.html] Link to Duncan on the trade [https://www.indianola-ia.com/opinion/duncan-davitt-quick-change-from-rays-to-the-white-sox/article_63513cd2-1a46-4fef-9938-32b83866012b.html] Link to Duncan on the 40-man [https://www.indianola-ia.com/opinion/duncan-davitt-thanks-to-the-village-who-got-me-where-i-am-on-the-40/article_26d2e428-f0ac-4573-b916-70ce81b6aa45.html] Link to Duncan on Triple-A [https://www.indianola-ia.com/opinion/duncan-davitt-pitching-at-aaa-brings-closer-look-at-the-big-leagues/article_733c7ac4-fdb5-4fb6-a3b4-6731fc262997.html] Link to Duncan on big league belief [https://www.indianola-ia.com/opinion/duncan-davitt-belief-bordering-on-delusional/article_043d9c3a-893b-4638-b632-c2b0870490bf.html] Link to Laurila’s notes column [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-wei-en-lin-and-jo-hsi-hsu-will-be-taiwans-wbc-pitchers-to-watch/] Link to Ben on the gap in 2025 [https://www.theringer.com/2025/03/26/mlb/mlb-prospect-promotions-minors-to-majors-gap-triple-a-mlb-jackson-holliday] Link to Ben on the gap in 2015 [https://grantland.com/the-triangle/mlb-preview-exploring-minor-league-hitters-major-league-struggles/] Link to Davenport on the gap [https://claydavenport.com/archives/600] Link to MLB.com on Abbott Elementary [https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-schwarber-four-homer-episode-of-abbott-elementary] Link to Schwarber’s 4-HR game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI202508280.shtml] Link to MLB survey question [https://imgur.com/AesVAaS] [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-2419-tj-and-tk-in-triple-a/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2418: The Challenge System Challenge

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh, Craig Goldstein [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:m2tdiw6yphtre6p6m6skgzo6] of Baseball Prospectus [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/], and Joe Sheehan [https://bsky.app/profile/sheehannewsletter.bsky.social] of The Joe Sheehan Baseball Newsletter [https://www.joesheehan.com/] break down teams’ last-minute Christmas shopping—including the White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/munetaka-murakami/sa3063258/stats/batting], the Padres signing Michael King [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/michael-king/19853/stats/pitching] and Sung Mun Song [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/sung-mun-song/sa3012529/stats/batting], the Orioles trading for Shane Baz [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shane-baz/22264/stats/pitching], the Red Sox trading for Willson Contreras [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/willson-contreras/11609/stats/batting], a three-team trade involving the Pirates, Rays, and Astros, Jeff McNeil [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jeff-mcneil/15362/stats/batting] and Matt Strahm [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/matt-strahm/13799/stats/pitching] swaps, and the Yankees’ hibernation—plus banter about the quasi-retirement of Craig’s nemesis, Joe Kelly [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/joe-kelly/9761/stats/pitching], the future of NPB, a report about Emmanuel Clase [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/emmanuel-clase/21032/stats/pitching]’s mid-game phone use, and supporting independent media. Then (1:11:40) they conduct an in-depth debate about the respective merits of human umpiring, the challenge system, and full ABS. Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_u1OHC8kumMkTfl2QWSo4FRlkFWvOcHB/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K07EyCA31NglTFT3h8Rdiiu0lpDyz9u_/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Kelly’s podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joe-kelly-and-bradfo-have-a-lot-to-talk-about/id1651632213?i=1000742267138] Link to Dubuque on the challenge system [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/102056/cold-takes-various-great-philosophers-and-how-they-would-feel-about-the-automated-ball-strike-system/] Link to Craig on the challenge system [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/101777/deep-but-playable-the-automated-strike-zone-will-arrive-in-2026/] Link to Joe on the challenge system [https://www.joesheehan.com/2025/09/joe-sheehan-newsletter-september-24.html] Link to previous podcast discussion [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2379-october-came-early/] Link to Seitz decision wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seitz_decision] Link to Joe on the Seitz decision [https://www.joesheehan.com/2020/12/from-archives-40-years-ago.html] Link to over/under draft results [https://www.ewstats.com/competitions/contracts/] Link to Baumann on Murakami [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/phenomenal-cosmic-power-itty-bitty-contact-rate-white-sox-sign-murakami] Link to Rosenblum on Murakami [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/creating-a-projection-for-munetaka-murakami] Link to Longenhagen on Murakami [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-scout-the-players-coming-over-from-asia/] Link to Craig on Murakami [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/103649/transaction-analysis-murakami-goes-to-the-south-side/] Link to Sarris on Murakami [https://x.com/enosarris/status/2001500632881217973] Link to Ben on Murakami in 2022 [https://www.theringer.com/2022/09/15/mlb/munetaka-murakami-roki-sasaki-npb-baseball-japan] Link to Sato story [https://gopsusports.com/news/2025/12/22/baseball-signs-japanese-star-genei-sato] Link to FG post on King [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/padres-sign-michael-king-to-three-year-deal-unless-you-read-the-fine-print] Link to FG post on Song [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/padres-find-contractual-harmony-with-korean-infielder-sung-moon-song/] Link to FG post on Baz [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/baltimore-bolsters-rotation-with-baz-while-tampa-bay-takes-a-more-is-more-approach] Link to Craig on Baz [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/103687/ta-orioles-reach-baz-stage/] Link to team SP projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=SP] Link to Joe on three-team trade [https://www.joesheehan.com/2025/12/newsletter-excerpt-december-21-2025.html] Link to FG post on three-team trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/pittsburgh-houston-tampa-bay-link-on-three-team-trade] Link to FG post on Contreras [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/cardinals-red-sox-link-up-again-in-willson-contreras-trade] Link to FG post on Strahm [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/phillies-royals-swap-relievers/] Link to Strahm’s beer stance [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36177129/phillies-matt-strahm-disagrees-mlb-teams-extending-alcohol-sales] Link to Bowlan info [https://philliesminorthoughts.com/taking-another-look-at-jonathan-bowlan/] Link to FG post on McNeil [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jeff-mcneil-bound-for-sacramento-as-metsodus-continues] Link to Lindor/McNeil drama [https://nypost.com/2025/11/28/sports/revealed-second-lindor-mcneil-battle-soto-relationship-underscore-mets-issues/] Link to Clase report [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6901487/2025/12/19/mlb-emmanuel-ortiz-cell-phone-betting-caught/] Link to Dylan phone ban [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9p8lg1p9po] Link to Molina framing montage [https://x.com/FoolishBB/status/1748776373349417390] Link to framing technique evolution [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGL2fq4LYw0] Link to Molina on EW [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1738-molina-and-the-mound/] Link to Craig on the K-Zone [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/70993/deep-but-playable-cold-takes-an-earnest-plea-to-get-rid-of-k-zone/] Link to Tango on challenge tactics [https://tangotiger.com/index.php/site/comments/abs-challenge-considerations] Link to Five and Dive [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/show/five-and-dive/] Link to subscribe to BP [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/subscriptions/] Link to subscribe to Joe [https://www.paypal.com/webapps/shoppingcart?flowlogging_id=f3893566dc139&mfid=1766534582438_f3893566dc139#/checkout/openButton] Link to MLBTR on O’Hearn [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/pirates-to-sign-ryan-ohearn.html] Link to Posnanski MVP post [https://www.joeposnanski.com/p/an-mvp-choose-your-own-adventure-game] Link to A’s ballpark update [https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/as-las-vegas-ballpark-media-gets-first-tour-of-stadium-under-construction-3593208/] Link to Rian Johnson post [https://bsky.app/profile/rianjohnson.bsky.social/post/3m4jyrubhzk2h] [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-2418-the-challenge-system-challenge/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2417: Just Passan Time

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh brings on ESPN senior MLB insider Jeff Passan [https://twitter.com/jeffpassan] 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 lockout. Then (1:06:55) Ben talks to The Athletic’s Sam Blum [https://x.com/SamBlum3] about what he learned from covering the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tyler Skaggs [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tyler-skaggs/10190/stats/pitching] against the Angels, which was settled just before the jury reached a verdict. Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EquxhP2rk11C79uLJ6UGylakDUOcbvzY/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJziS-LZMoyB13avq991af2-c9KaGfoU/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ShNIfvqdt84DII-pVYvCp32cIpVIP2V5/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Jeff’s last EW appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1165-jeff-passan-diagnoses-baseballs-broken-market/] Link to Jeff’s newsbreaking origins [https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/jeff-passan-wife-emasculated-breaking-news.html] Link to Jeff’s gravy tweet [https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1994199063583949189] Link to aging research [https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/08/massive-biomolecular-shifts-occur-in-our-40s-and-60s--stanford-m.html] Link to article about aging [https://www.thecut.com/article/middle-aged-millennials-feeling-old-44-aging-cliff.html] Link to Woj comments [https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/19/why-adrian-wojnarowski-left-espn.html] Link to Schefter comments [https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/adam-schefter-adrian-wojnarowski-passan-retirement.html] Link to Shams comments [https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/shams-charania-insider-life-walk-out-on-dates.html] Link to Shams profile [https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/shams-charania-nba-insider-the-athletic-new-york-times-profile.html] Link to Shams vs. Woj feature [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/02/woj-shams-rivalry/] Link to Passan NBA report [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5801309/2024/09/28/jeff-passan-espn-nba-adrian-wojnarowski-shams-charania/] Link to exhibit 49 info [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/217004/2018/01/20/giants-notes-read-the-fine-print-and-not-tea-leaves-to-get-a-sense-of-the-plan-for-center-field/] Link to more exhibit 49 info [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dan-lozano-and-the-contract-rumor-mill/] Link to ESPN-MLB deal [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47026249/espn-mlb-reach-new-3-year-media-agreement] Link to ESPN-NFL deal [https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/45910378/espn-get-nfl-network-rights-redzone-nfl-equity-stake] Link to ESPN evolution [https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/top-sports-media-story-2025-evolution-unlimited-nfl-equity-pat-mcafee.html] Link to Jeff’s trade tweet [https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/2002118476979470578] Link to news about Jeff’s son [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/jeff-passans-son-announces-college-164552943.html] Link to The LAT on the settlement [https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-12-19/tyler-skaggs-settlement-angels-damages-wrongful-death-trial] Link to Sam on the settlement [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6904445/2025/12/19/angels-tyler-skaggs-lawsuit-settlement-trial/] Link to Sam on Trout [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6737042/2025/10/21/angels-mike-trout-tyler-skaggs-trial/] Link to MLB testing change [https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/mlb-removes-marijuana-from-drugs-of-abuse-to-test-major-league-players-for-op-idUSKBN1YG24C/] [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-2417-just-passan-time/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2416: Oh Say Can You WBC

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] 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 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x3QzhMjO6frLGXRoKk-h4I9dkWw16wff/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wNnie0fLF2HVQsb4d-w5OqxMzyqfvImV/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Rian Johnson clip [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DSNN-CCD7fN/] Link to MLB.com on Weaver [https://www.mlb.com/news/luke-weaver-mets-contract] Link to Williams message [https://www.mlb.com/news/devin-williams-calls-out-yankees-fans-on-social-media] Link to FG post on Keller [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dombrowski-hopes-brad-keller-can-snap-his-spell-of-bad-bullpens] Link to Arizona gulls [https://sonoranimages.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/desert-gulls/] Link to MLBTR on May [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/cardinals-to-sign-dustin-may.html] Link to Jimmy trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmaWSb7WQ1E] Link to Buzzfeed post on Jimmy [https://www.buzzfeed.com/mychalthompson/kj-apa-jimmy-stewart-biopic-reactions] Link to remaining FA RP [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=0#RP] Link to Nats youth story [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6897955/2025/12/17/nationals-youth-movement-ani-kilambi-gm/] Link to Nats youth story 2 [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/12/17/nationals-new-gm/] Link to Nats youth tweet [https://x.com/BaseUnstitched/status/2001430616848597113] Link to MLBTR on DeBartolo [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/nationals-mike-debartolo-to-serve-in-assistant-gm-role.html] Link to Butera quote [https://x.com/andrewcgolden/status/1998486492444823822] Link to Nats ticket settlement [https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settlements/3m-washington-nationals-age-discrimination-class-action-settlement/] Link to scouts lawsuit [https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-tosses-baseball-scouts-age-discrimination-lawsuit-to-new-york/] Link to ump age study [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26467659/study-young-umps-top-older-peers-calls] Link to Sheehan research [https://www.joesheehan.com/2025/12/newsletter-excerpt-december-4-2025.html] Link to Raleigh award tweet [https://x.com/marinerspr/status/2001711929270898869] Link to USA WBC roster [https://www.usabaseball.com/team/professional/roster] Link to 2023 roster [https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/united-states?season=2023] Link to Trout WBC story [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47259280/mike-trout-remains-mix-team-usa-wbc] Link to announced players post [https://bsky.app/profile/bmags94.bsky.social/post/3mabktpw3lk2t] Link to Ben on WBC injuries [https://www.theringer.com/2017/04/11/mlb/2017-mlb-world-baseball-classic-injury-effect-ba832903792a] Link to Ben on more WBCs [https://www.theringer.com/2023/03/22/mlb/world-baseball-classic-2023-final-shohei-ohtani-mike-trout] Link to Grinch oral history [https://www.vulture.com/article/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-oral-history.html] Link to roast beast [https://non-aliencreatures.fandom.com/wiki/Roast-Beast] Link to MLBTR on Kim’s offer [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/as-made-four-year-offer-to-ha-seong-kim.html] Link to “Big Smooth” article [https://www.mlb.com/news/drew-pomeranz-big-smooth-for-players-weekend-c250569230] Link to Pomeranz post [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/angels-shock-baseball-world-with-sensible-free-agent-behavior] Link to Calcaterra on the HoF [https://www.cupofcoffeenews.com/cup-of-coffee-december-18-2025/] Link to ineligible list wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_banned_from_Major_League_Baseball] [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-2416-oh-say-can-you-wbc/]