Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2440: Season Preview Series: Orioles and Padres

Feb 13, 2026
Guest
AJ Cassavell
Guest
Andy Kostka
Andy Kostka, Baltimore Banner reporter who covers the Orioles, and AJ Cassavell, MLB.com reporter who covers the Padres, join to preview their teams. They discuss Baltimore’s rotation questions, catching conundrum, and roster construction. Then they cover San Diego’s ownership saga, depleted upper-level farm system, power issues, and key pitching health updates.
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ANECDOTE

Wheeler Keeps Removed Rib

  • Zach Wheeler kept a rib removed during thoracic outlet surgery and preserved it in his closet after the doctor gifted it to him.
  • Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley react with bemused disbelief about keeping surgical parts at home.
INSIGHT

Salary Cap Coverage Feels Prematurely Intense

  • Early and intense media coverage on a potential MLB salary cap creates a sense of inevitability despite negotiations being far off.
  • Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley argue heavy, repetitive coverage may not illuminate real negotiating outcomes yet.
INSIGHT

Rogers Can Repeat With Adjustments

  • Trevor Rogers' 2025 breakout looked tied to better fastball use and can plausibly settle into a low-three ERA over a full season.
  • Andy Kostka notes Rogers worked on stretch pitching and sweeper spin to become a more complete starter.
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