Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2448: Season Preview Series: Yankees and Cardinals

Mar 4, 2026
Guest
Derrick Goold
Guest
Gary Phillips
Gary Phillips, Yankees beat reporter for the New York Daily News, and Derrick Goold, lead Cardinals writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, preview their teams. They discuss Yankees roster moves, rotation health, bullpen rebuild and lineup fit. They cover Cardinals’ roster exits, development plan, pitching strategy and key prospects. Short, lively takes on each club’s outlook and the challenges ahead.
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ADVICE

Let New Leadership Build Development Infrastructure First

  • Give new baseball president time to build development infrastructure before full control; the Cardinals used a transitional year to revamp scouting and player development.
  • Goold notes Haim Bloom spent 12 months assembling staff, tech, and cross-team processes before taking full authority.
INSIGHT

Cardinals Attendance Drop Tied To Performance And Regional Shifts

  • Cardinals attendance plunged due to on-field mediocrity, loss of iconic players, and broader regional travel/entertainment shifts.
  • Goold ties declines to post-Yadier era fatigue, 2023 losing season, and rising entertainment costs reducing regional draw.
INSIGHT

J.J. Weatherholt Is Set To Start At Second Base

  • J.J. Weatherholt projects as the Cardinals' opening day second baseman: polished left-handed hitter with surprising pop and defensive development needed.
  • Goold expects Weatherholt to start immediately and provide high on-base and gap power rather than pure slugging.
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