Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2434: Hold Your Dark Horses

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the oddly timed end of Derek Falvey’s rein as POBOth for the Twins, Jacob Wilson [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jacob-wilson/33266/stats/batting]’s extension and the promising but lopsided A’s, pillow contracts vs. trampoline contracts, which teams have had the most frustrating offseasons, dark-horse-candidate teams for 2026, and listener responses to their previous discussion of a Fellowship of the Ring baseball team. Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MDiYT6nzp-be6mFJdJgEZtCfPxSRWERW/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gbPLdUli8iCoR0VI_Een0wsDnkm_n8i2/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to The Athletic on Falvey [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7010126/2026/01/30/derek-falvey-minnesota-twins/] Link to Favley Zoom meeting detail [https://x.com/AaronGleeman/status/2017303163951333429] Link to FG payrolls page [https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/breakdowns/payroll] Link to MLBTR on Wilson [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/athletics-jacob-wilson-extension-seven-years.html] Link to 2025 team batting WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2025&season1=2025&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&month=0] Link to 2025 team pitching WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2025&season1=2025&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&month=0] Link to team WAR projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team] Link to sowing/reaping meme [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/me-sowing-me-reaping] Link to team offseason spending [https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/offseason/spending] Link to FG offseason tracker [https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/offseason-tracker] Link to Rooker on aliens [https://www.instagram.com/p/C-vof_XvTqA/?hl=en&img_index=1] Link to Robertson retirement news [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/david-robertson-announces-retirement.html] Link to Crizer on opt-outs [https://bandwagon.substack.com/p/a-brief-history-of-the-early-opt] Link to EW wiki on trampolines [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Trampolines] Link to BP on inactive teams [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/104344/prospectus-feature-six-teams-putting-the-off-in-offseason/] Link to Sheehan on inactive teams [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/01/newsletter-excerpt-january-25-2026.html] Link to The Athletic on trying tiers [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6984114/2026/01/20/mlb-offseason-tiers-teams-trying/] Link to projected team WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team] Link to “dark horse” wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_horse] Link to MLBTR on Evans [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/logan-evans-undergoes-ucl-surgery.html] Link to Mount Doom scene [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXpF3SUFaDw] Link to Pasquantino news [https://www.mlb.com/news/vinnie-pasquantino-royals-contract] [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-2434-hold-your-dark-horses/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2433: Off the Dome

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their coming deliverance from a slow baseball news period, spring training as a spectator experience, and how the prelude to Opening Day has changed, then (12:43) answer emails about the many meanings of “back end” in baseball, an outfielder who repels batted balls, whether all rule violations constitute cheating, a playoff team composed of spoilers, and which positions the members of the Fellowship of the Ring would play, followed (1:16:01) by a Stat Blast about the Mets’ roster reconstruction and the history of high turnover. Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wNnie0fLF2HVQsb4d-w5OqxMzyqfvImV/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 back end definitions [https://www.baseball-almanac.com/dictionary-term.php?term=back%20end] Link to Magneto wiki [https://characters-and-their-super-powers.fandom.com/wiki/Magneto] Link to Magnetokinesis wiki [https://x-men.fandom.com/wiki/Magnetokinesis] Link to X-Men baseball history [https://www.cbr.com/chris-claremont-x-men-history-baseball-marvel/] Link to Ben’s Mets article [https://www.theringer.com/2026/01/28/mlb/the-rebuilt-new-york-mets-are-bucking-baseball-history] Link to Stat Blast data 1 [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eSWFMCc9RGa8MPZYMFjCWORo3aoyhii92q0Jo4M2mR0/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Stat Blast data 2 [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oGxdZpDJQAilENfLpvUJdgzS7nc7NqkR6z-yeds2Y3k/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Ben on turnover history [https://amp.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/has-trend-toward-extensions-reduced-rate-of-roster-turnover] Link to more on turnover history [https://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2009/11/economic_theory.php] Link to Clemens on the Mets [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-mets-are-having-a-swell-offseason/] Link to Sherman on the Mets [https://nypost.com/2026/01/24/sports/inside-mets-star-studded-overhaul-that-comes-with-historical-caveat/] Link to Mets offseason history [https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/offseason-tracker/mets?teamchange=] Link to Mets depth chart [https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/mets] Link to projected pitcher playing time [https://www.fangraphs.com/projections?type=fangraphsdc&stats=pit&pos=all&team=25&players=0&lg=&z=1769312672&sortcol=&sortdir=desc&pageitems=30&statgroup=standard&fantasypreset=dashboard] Link to projected hitter playing time [https://www.fangraphs.com/projections?type=fangraphsdc&stats=bat&pos=all&team=25&players=0&lg=&z=1769312672&sortcol=&sortdir=desc&pageitems=30&statgroup=standard&fantasypreset=dashboard] Link to projected team WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team] Link to Ben on team complacency [https://www.theringer.com/2019/03/20/mlb/red-sox-opening-day-lineup-bullpen-projections-world-series-winner] Link to BaseRuns records [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=BaseRuns] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] Link to cloud seeding wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_seeding] Link to weekend weather info [https://www.iflscience.com/the-weekend-effect-of-weather-is-it-rainier-on-saturdays-and-sundays-80086] Link to “And my axe!” clip [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxPGzj2L3n0] Link to “One does not” clip [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctCwI9-mbPc] [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-2433-off-the-dome/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2432: What Stars Deserve

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley share their responses—and the baseball world’s response—to the events of this month in Minnesota. Then (17:26) they banter about deboned Carlos Rodón [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/carlos-rodon/16137/stats/pitching], the latest pseudoscientific pursuits of Bryce Harper [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/bryce-harper/11579/stats/batting] (and Mike Trout [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/mike-trout/10155/stats/batting]?), and the Giants signing Harrison Bader [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/harrison-bader/18030/stats/batting], before (48:06) discussing José Ramírez’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jose-ramirez/13510/stats/batting]s new extension with the Guardians, Andrew McCutchen [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/andrew-mccutchen/9847/stats/batting]’s quarrel with the Pirates, and what teams and star players owe to each other, if anything. Finally (1:26:22), they bring on data scientist/writer Zach Gozlan [https://bsky.app/profile/zachgozlan.bsky.social] to Stat Blast about whether baseball is overrrepresented among sports clues on Jeopardy! Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u9uMDVhB3JbuuT3HQYDzXcl4cXc-mY4Z/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qjDTYA9tQlZDQBpZqZUEosHoKN8nMQxR/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Calhoun info 1 [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1qnoxxn/kole_calhoun_this_dude_was_straight_murdered/] Link to Calhoun info 2 [https://www.nj.com/sports/2026/01/ex-mlb-star-wont-stay-silent-anymore-after-alex-pretti-killing-this-is-wrong-wake-up.html] Link to Calhoun info 3 [https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2026/01/27/diamondbacks-asu-player-kole-calhoun-blasts-ice-trump-for-alex-pretti-death/88369513007/] Link to Ben on Calhoun in 2018 [https://www.theringer.com/2018/08/09/mlb/kole-calhoun-los-angeles-angels-cold-start-hot-hitting] Link to other athlete statements [https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/steve-kerr-breanna-stewart-tyrese-haliburton-nbpa-minnesota-sports-teams-speak-out-after-ice-fatal-shooting-of-nurse-alex-pretti-211239298.html] Link to more athlete statements [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6997426/2026/01/25/minneapolis-shooting-athlete-protests-tyrese-haliburton-breanna-stewart/] Link to Wemby comments [https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/spurs-star-victor-wembanyama-condemns-murder-of-civilians-by-ice-agents-in-minnesota-im-horrified-205128958.html] Link to Ober post [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1qmqlpu/bailey_ober_becomes_the_first_mlb_player_to/] Link to Strider post [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1qmr9p2/spencer_strider_joins_bailey_ober_in_speaking_out/] Link to Woods Richardson post [https://bsky.app/profile/jdkringle.bsky.social/post/3mdbgz4uf7k2l] Link to Klein repost [https://bsky.app/profile/bawfuls.bsky.social/post/3mddptun2hk2e] Link to political affiliation data [https://votehub.com/2026/01/20/the-political-lean-of-pro-sports/] Link to Rodón interview clip [https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/2015215539665121311] Link to Rodón interview article [https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-rodon-gives-update-on-elbow-rehab-at-ny-baseball-writers-gala] Link to Harper post summary [https://bsky.app/profile/cptowers.bsky.social/post/3md7hzn2o3k2h] Link to Harper clouds repost [https://bsky.app/profile/dsaraiya.bsky.social/post/3md5kezi2ac2b] Link to Harper’s TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@3ryceharper?lang=en] Link to Harper’s mat post [https://x.com/gerawaycar/status/2015509161639878883] Link to Harper’s mat [https://higherdose.com/products/infrared-pemf-mat?variant=42690208202923] Link to Harper and Dombrowski [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6749605/2025/10/25/bryce-harper-phillies-dave-dombrowski-comments/] Link to Trout’s reply to Rooker [https://x.com/MikeTrout/status/2014699607419154879] Link to Trout’s sponsored post [https://x.com/MikeTrout/status/2014035830919070075] Link to Trout’s “chamber” [https://ammortal.com/] Link to Goop article 1 [https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/7/19/15988180/gwyneth-paltrow-goop-jade-egg-debunkers] Link to Goop article 2 [https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51312438] Link to Goop article 3 [https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/dr-mike/104004] Link to FG post on Bader [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/harrison-bay-areader-signs-with-giants/] Link to BP post on the Giants [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/104307/between-the-lines-a-giant-shadow/] Link to FG post on Ramírez [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jose-ramirez-is-a-forever-guardian/] Link to Ramírez interview [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jose-ramirez-reveals-shocking-long-001458228.html] Link to Ramírez’s FA value [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jose-ramirez/13510/stats/batting#value] Link to McCutchen post [https://x.com/TheCUTCH22/status/2015280376088781216] Link to Cherington comments [https://x.com/AlexJStumpf/status/2015096457238290871] Link to McCutchen article 1 [https://www.mlb.com/news/andrew-mccutchen-wants-to-play-pirates-2026] Link to McCutchen article 2 [https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/paul-zeise/2026/01/27/andrew-mccutchen-ben-cherington-mlb-free-agency/stories/202601270033] Link to Defector article [https://defector.com/are-jeopardy-contestants-really-that-bad-at-questions-about-sports?giftLink=3b0212432a604fad596ea3234d5ba89c] Link to Zach’s website [https://zachgozlan.info/] Link to Zach’s data [https://github.com/zachgozlan/jeopardy_data_project_2026/] Link to baseball crosswords research [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2243-roki-of-the-year/] Link to crosswords wiki summary [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_2243:_Roki_of_the_Year#Stat_Blast] Link to Jeopardy! football questions [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h33u2eeVqXo] Link to Jeopardy! Big Dumper question [https://www.reddit.com/r/Mariners/comments/1pwh66i/what_is_big_dumper/] [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-2432-what-stars-deserve/]

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

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the MacKenzie Gore [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/mackenzie-gore/22201/stats/pitching] trade, the trajectories of the Rangers and Nationals since their respective World Series victories, and why the White Sox signed Seranthony Domínguez [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/seranthony-dominguez/19249/stats/pitching]. Then (29:38) they bring on baseball buds Brent Rooker [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/brent-rooker/19627/stats/batting] and Vinnie Pasquantino [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/vinnie-pasquantino/27676/stats/batting] for a wide-ranging conversation about their scrapped podcasting plans, the Royals remodeling Kauffman Stadium, how Sutter Health Park played, the good and bad of bat-speed training, the challenge system, Brent’s sinking strikeout rate, the best breakfasts, the Pasqwich, A’s outfield defense, Nick Kurtz [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/nick-kurtz/35110/stats/batting] and Jac Caglianone [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jac-caglianone/35041/stats/batting], playing with Rich Hill [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/rich-hill/4806/stats/pitching], A’s extensions, playing 162 games, why they haven’t become 30-30 guys, arbitration, players’ pre-lockout messaging, an offseason signing deadline, Vinnie’s interactions with Shohei Ohtani [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats/batting], the WBC, the weather, and more. Finally (1:38:25), Ben shares listener responses about Andruw Jones [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/andruw-jones/96/stats/batting] and outfield diving. Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C85Waxu-ubj5VEkl5qCROdNaEAdUbcl4/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio interstitial: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/19KwOxp2kpN60CdFDMpP6Za73FHrfwofC/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_u1OHC8kumMkTfl2QWSo4FRlkFWvOcHB/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to FG post on Gore trade [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/more-for-gore-rangers-snag-top-line-starter-in-bulk-deal] Link to FG post on traded prospects [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/cherry-blossom-seeds-washington-eyes-rebirth-with-five-prospect-haul-in-gore-trade] Link to “jersey guy” discussion [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2278-we-shall-not-look-upon-their-like-again/] Link to team losses post-2019 [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&month=0&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=&enddate=&season1=2020&season=2025&sortcol=3&sortdir=default&pagenum=1] Link to team SP projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=SP] Link to Ben on Sale in 2018 [https://www.theringer.com/2018/10/05/mlb/alds-red-sox-yankees-chris-sale-game-1] Link to Sox pen rank [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 MLBTR on Domínguez [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/white-sox-to-sign-seranthony-dominguez.html] Link to first Rooker pod appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2110-rooker-of-the-year/] Link to second Rooker appearance [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2259-rated-rooker/] Link to Episode 1875 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1875-ten-men-out/] Link to Episode 1988 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1988-the-2023-team-fun-draft/] Link to lowest WARs in April [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&season=2025&season1=2025&ind=0&qual=0&sortcol=21&sortdir=asc&type=8&month=1000&startdate=2025-04-01&enddate=2025-04-30&team=0] Link to Brent’s Twitter taunt [https://x.com/Brent_Rooker25/status/2011168788339638309] Link to Vinnie on the canceled podcast [https://x.com/VPasquantino/status/2011201451721097249] Link to story on Vinnie’s slow start [https://www.royalsreview.com/royals-analysis-sabermetrics-stats/92055/vinnie-pasquantino-and-slow-starts] Link to story on Muncy’s eyewear [https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-05-02/dodgers-muncy-eyewear] Link to bat speed article [https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article304418416.html] Link to Brent on bat speed [https://x.com/Brent_Rooker25/status/1981364452831150104] Link to bat speed data [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/bat-tracking] Link to Vinnie on the fence changes [https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article314304237.html] Link to Brent on breakfast [https://www.mlb.com/news/brent-rooker-on-passion-for-breakfast-players-weekend] Link to Vinnie on Italian breakfast [https://x.com/VPasquantino/status/1528787186321080320] Link to Pasqwich tweet [//x.com/Royals/status/1816504473797149120] Link to Pasqwich article [https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article290487329.html] Link to Baseball Savant park factors [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/statcast-park-factors] Link to FG park factors [https://www.fangraphs.com/tools/guts?type=pf&sortcol=&sortdir=] Link to Kauffman batter’s eye comments [https://www.joeposnanski.com/p/why-baseball-just-doesnt-feel-fair] Link to more Kauffman batter’s eye comments [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47599322/sources-royals-move-fences-kauffman-stadium] Link to visibility by ballpark [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/which-ballparks-make-it-easiest-to-see-the-pitch/] Link to Brent’s lone Royals hit [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sporty-videos?playId=72291251-6457-456b-812f-58385f0b3a1c] Link to Lowe comments [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/steinbrenner-field-anything-friendly-tampa-203530080.html] Link to story on Vinnie and Jac [https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article310371665.html] Link to MLBTR on Brent’s extension [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/as-brent-rooker-agree-to-five-year-extension.html] Link to MLBTR on A’s extensions [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/as-have-ongoing-conversations-on-more-potential-extensions.html] Link to Vinnie on extensions [https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/2008307521375678603] Link to Vinnie on arbitration [https://www.royalsreview.com/royals-editorial-opinion-reaction/92440/the-arbitration-system-is-stupid-and-should-be-overhauled] Link to iron man Rooker [https://www.mlb.com/news/brent-rooker-set-to-play-in-162-games-in-2025] Link to sprint speeds [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed] Link to signing deadline tweet 1 [https://x.com/Brent_Rooker25/status/2009071061921640605] Link to signing deadline tweet 2 [https://x.com/brent_rooker25/status/2009088610172350610] Link to Soderstrom article [https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-soderstrom-2025-gold-glove-award-nomination-left-field] Link to Vinnie’s “WTF” tweet [https://x.com/VPasquantino/status/1939097021073289226] Link to Vinnie and Ohtani [https://www.mlb.com/es/video/vinnie-pasquantino-asks-shohei-ohtani-a-question] Link to Brent and Ohtani [https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/07/04/all-star-game-brent-rooker-autograph-request-shohei-ohtani] Link to Team Italy WBC roster [https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/italy?season=2023] Link to Brent’s weather tweet [https://x.com/Brent_Rooker25/status/2013999332026949694] Link to Trout’s response [https://x.com/MikeTrout/status/2014699607419154879] Link to Brent’s “weather boy” tweet [https://x.com/Brent_Rooker25/status/2014099925500321971] Link to “weather boy” meme [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wouldnt-you-like-to-know-weather-boy] Link to Bledsoe Agency [https://www.bledsoeagency.com/] Link to Pham suspension story [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33999857/cincinnati-reds-tommy-pham-suspended-three-games-slapping-joc-pederson] Link to Pham Insta post [https://www.instagram.com/p/DT08fegD9G9/?hl=en&img_index=1] Link to Episode 2430 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2430-new-york-new-york/] Link to Bloomquist on Ichiro [https://www.sportsinfosolutions.com/2025/01/23/oral-history-ichiro-suzukis-defensive-legacy/] Link to Pillar/White article [https://www.thestar.com/sports/blue-jays/devon-white-impressed-by-blue-jays-outfielder-kevin-pillar-s-catch-in-centre-field/article_91279fa3-b5a8-5ab6-92cd-3be308dc0294.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-2431-hitters-who-podcast-together-play-together/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2430: New York, New York

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the best point in the podcast at which to talk transactions, how a salary cap would affect the kind of conversations we have about baseball (based on the way we discuss other sports), the notion that a particular signing would drive owners to pursue a salary cap, and (25:09) whether a fielder’s proclivity for diving catches tells us anything about how good he is (inspired by the belief that Andruw Jones [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/andruw-jones/96/stats/batting] never had to dive). Then (44:32) they break down the latest Mets moves (for Luis Robert Jr. [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/luis-robert-jr/20043/stats/batting] and Freddy Peralta [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/freddy-peralta/18679/stats/pitching]), the team’s extreme makeover, and why the Brewers dealt Peralta, plus (1:29:08) the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/cody-bellinger/15998/stats/batting] deal, their lack of roster turnover, and Belli’s up-down-up career. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OsA2tZMe8hrgFONo1iYv7od0ZFea8mpx/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lGyXnWwEoa3G1mWIJfdeNs8HHFLR8Ml7/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to MLBTR on Gore [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/rangers-to-acquire-mackenzie-gore.html] Link to Young trade news [https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47545290/sources-hawks-trading-trae-young-wizards-mccollum-kispert] Link to Young trade rationale [https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-the-nba-trade-season-c66] Link to Rosenthal on the cap [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6976696/2026/01/16/dodgers-kyle-tucker-lockout-mlb-labor/] Link to Drellich on the cap [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6986854/2026/01/20/mlb-owners-salary-cap-push-dodgers-kyle-tucker/] Link to Calcaterra on Jones [https://www.cupofcoffeenews.com/cup-of-coffee-january-21-2026/?ref=cup-of-coffee-newsletter] Link to Sheehan on Jones [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/01/newsletter-excerpt-january-20-2026.html] Link to Jones highlight reel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J1A4KSae6M] Link to possibility space wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample_space] Link to Ben on Harper’s dives [https://www.theringer.com/2018/11/20/mlb/bryce-harper-free-agency-defense] Link to Hannah on dives [https://sports.yahoo.com/diving-catches-are-amazing-baseball-highlights-but-dont-they-hurt-we-asked-175136646.html] Link to Rocky quote [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJHkTtvnUqA] Link to FG on Robert [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mets-snag-luis-robert-jr-from-white-sox] Link to team CF projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=CF] Link to Robert CF rank [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?season1=2024&season=2025&type=8&month=41&pagenum=1&pageitems=50] Link to Robert’s sprint speeds [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/luis-robert-jr-673357?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb#:~:text=147th%20in%20MLB-,Sprint%20Speed,-Year] Link to 2017 story on Robert [https://web.archive.org/web/20170523023756/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/216971522/cuban-luis-robert-top-international-prospect/] Link to 2017 EW episode on Robert [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1026-the-best-podcast-on-the-planet/] Link to FG on Peralta [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/take-peralta-brewers-and-mets-trade-top-prospects-for-no-1-starter] Link to FG on Peralta prospects [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/brewing-with-gas-evaluating-jett-williams-and-brandon-sproat] Link to Brewers defense ranking [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/fielding-run-value?gameType=Regular&seasonStart=2023&seasonEnd=2025&type=fielding-team&position=0&minInnings=q&minResults=1] Link to Peralta defenders ranking [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/fielding-run-value?gameType=Regular&seasonStart=2023&seasonEnd=2025&type=pitcher&position=0&minInnings=0.1&minResults=1] Link to RA-9 WAR leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=c%2C4%2C5%2C11%2C7%2C8%2C13%2C-1%2C36%2C37%2C40%2C43%2C44%2C48%2C51%2C-1%2C240%2C-1%2C6%2C332%2C45%2C62%2C-1%2C59%2C212&month=0&ind=0&startdate=&enddate=&season1=2023&season=2025&qual=0&sortcol=21&sortdir=default&v_cr=202301&pagenum=1] Link to team SP projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=SP] Link to Tong’s grilled cheese [https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25334976-mets-jonah-tong-details-wild-grilled-cheese-recipe-containing-maple-syrup-video] Link to BP on Peralta [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/104206/ta-mets-get-their-man-in-freddy-peralta/] Link to Brewers payroll story 1 [https://www.sportico.com/leagues/baseball/2025/mlb-playoffs-milwaukee-brewers-mark-attanasio-owner-1234872200/] Link to Brewers payroll story 2 [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/brewers-reportedly-concerned-about-payroll.html] Link to team payrolls page [https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/breakdowns/payroll] Link to Mets team ZiPS post [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-projections-new-york-mets] Link to FG post on Bellinger [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/as-before-so-again-cody-bellinger-is-a-yankee] Link to Belli’s celebration injury [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIFK7Nesi7s] Link to Belli on changing his celebration [https://dodgerblue.com/ja/dodgers-rumors-cody-bellinger-underwent-shoulder-surgery/2020/11/17/] Link to team WAR projections [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team] Link to Domínguez defensive stats [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jasson-dominguez/28080/stats/batting#advanced-fielding] Link to team BaseRuns [https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=BaseRuns] Link to political registration research [https://votehub.com/2026/01/20/the-political-lean-of-pro-sports/] Link to EW wiki on car recording [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Honda_Fit] [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-2430-new-york-new-york/]