Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a generous podcast listener, Bruce Meyer’s elevation to interim executive director of the MLBPA, his framing of the sport’s competitive challenges, media messaging vis-à-vis the owners’ and players’ potential responsibility for missed games in 2027, and the creep of pitch-calling from the dugout, then preview the 2026 Detroit Tigers (53:35) with The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen, and the 2026 Athletics (1:31:28) with A’s on SI’s Jason Burke. 2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Reddit comment Link to “meatspace” explainer Link to “meatbag” explainer Link to Meyer comments 1 Link to Meyer comments 2 Link to BP on competitive balance Link to Drellich on Meyer Link to Passan on the MLBPA Link to Crizer on dugout pitch-calling Link to EW on 2025 dugout pitch-calling Link to Bendix comments Link to Giants pitch-calling article Link to Vitello comments Link to Rockies article Link to Ben on in-game interviews Link to team payrolls page Link to Tigers offseason tracker Link to Tigers depth chart Link to catcher WAR leaderboard Link to Cody’s author archive Link to Cody’s podcast Link to Athletics offseason tracker Link to Athletics depth chart Link to FG top 100 Link to Vegas promotions Link to Sacramento jerseys Link to Jason’s author archive  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about recent signings and injuries pertaining to teams whose seasons they’ve recently previewed, the Diamondbacks re-signing Zac Gallen and the thrilling resolution of the free-agent-contract over/under draft, the winter of Bryce Harper’s discontent, Harper and Manny Machado’s comments about the Dodgers’ spending, Max Muncy’s extension, the worsening of the allegations against Emmanuel Clase, new details about the challenge system, Mike Trout’s impending return to center field, and (44:33) the momentous, surprising resignation of Tony Clark as MLBPA executive director. Then (1:00:22) they bring on FanGraphs prospect writers Eric Longenhagen and Brendan Gawlowski to discuss their ranking of the sport’s top 100 (well, 110) prospects. Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to post on recent Padres signings Link to Preller extension story Link to MLBTR on López Link to MLBTR on Rengifo Link to post on Gallen signing Link to EWStats site Link to over/under draft history Link to Harper video Link to Harper article Link to Harper t-shirt Link to Happy Gilmore scene Link to Harper/Machado comments Link to Muncy extension story Link to the latest on Clase Link to Ben on Clase Link to Manfred’s Clase comment Link to Clase’s 2018 balk Link to EW Episode 1269 Link to challenge system explainer Link to broadcast details Link to MLBTR on Trout Link to The Athletic on Clark Link to ESPN on Clark Link to MLBTR on Clark Link to Baumann on Clark Link to 2024 whistleblower complaint Link to federal probe report Link to federal probe report 2 Link to federal probe report 3 Link to OneTeam Partners explainer Link to NLFPA meltdown Link to FG top prospects list Link to Griffin’s Instagram Link to ZiPS Top 100 Link to top 100 prospects chat Link to piece on prospect debates Link to Brendan’s return post Link to Ben on pitching prospects Link to latest Wade/Ward mix-up Link to Wade/Ward history  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

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.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about new (and encouraging) details about MLB.TV registration, Justin Verlander returning to the Tigers, the rites of spring training, and the Rafael Devers trade in retrospect, before previewing the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers (20:50) with The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg, and the 2026 Texas Rangers (1:08:28) with MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry. 2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLB.TV sign-up details Link to in-market streaming details Link to MLBTR on Verlander Link to over/under draft Link to EWStats post 1 Link to EWStats post 2 Link to late-signing pitchers post Link to Casas post Link to Lindor injury story Link to Schwellenbach injury story Link to Jays injuries story Link to Ben on spring injuries Link to Crochet announcement Link to FG post on Durbin deal Link to FG projected standings Link to BP projected standings Link to team payrolls Link to Brewers offseason tracker Link to Brewers depth chart Link to team SS projections Link to team 3B projections Link to MLBTR on Contreras surgery Link to 2025 catcher WAR leaderboard Link to 2025 catcher IP leaderboard Link to Sam on Brewers grounders Link to NL RotY voting Link to Curt’s author archive Link to Curt’s podcast Link to Rangers offseason tracker Link to Rangers depth chart Link to SP depth charts Link to RP depth charts Link to Burger article Link to 2025 team batting age Link to 2025 team pitching age Link to Kennedi’s author archive  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Meg Rowley shares her euphoric reaction to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win, while Ben Lindbergh largely listens and occasionally interjects with bits of baseball commentary. Then (29:14) they discuss Buck Martinez’s retirement, Terrance Gore’s untimely death, and a purported catching super-prospect, before previewing the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates (44:23) with Roundtable Sports’ John Perrotto, and the 2026 Minnesota Twins (1:25:07) with The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman. 2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to HUAL Super Bowl episode Link to Acuña Jr. at the halftime show Link to Mercy wiki Link to Pratt article Link to Bad Bunny insurance article Link to Ben on the KC OF Link to Buck announcement Link to Buck saying Schlittler Link to Andy on Gore Link to Woodrum on Gore Link to Gore on EW Link to catching prospect video Link to scout quote about Robert Link to baserunning leaderboard Link to team payrolls Link to Pirates offseason tracker Link to Pirates depth chart Link to FG playoff odds Link to Post-Gazette closure Link to MLB.com layoffs Link to John’s author archive Link to Twins offseason tracker Link to Twins depth chart Link to Trueblood on Bell Link to Pohlad political comments Link to player political comments Link to Aaron’s author archive Link to Aaron’s podcast Link to Witherspoon post 1 Link to Witherspoon post 2 Link to Teasley obit Link to Teasley on EW  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the new, ESPN-ified process for signing up for MLB.TV, Stat Blast (12:28) about the long-sought, newfound pitching prowess of the WBC’s Team USA superteam, and then (34:31) preview the 2026 San Francisco Giants with The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee, and the 2026 Kansas City Royals (1:20:20) with MLB.com’s Anne Rogers. 2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Labuza Bluesky post Link to resulting Reddit thread Link to Labuza web post Link to Ben on the WBC Link to team payrolls Link to Giants offseason tracker Link to Giants depth chart Link to Grant on Vitello Link to Grant on the Giants offseason Link to Grant’s records account Link to Grant on the “Posey Rule” Link to last year’s Giants preview Link to Bonds curses article Link to Flores call article Link to Bogaerts call article Link to Grant’s author archive Link to Omnibus podcast Link to Royals offseason tracker Link to Royals depth chart Link to Vinnie on EW Link to Anne on outfield fences Link to team OF WAR Link to Anne on Garcia’s extension Link to Anne on Quatraro’s extension Link to Anne on hitting coach changes Link to Chiefs stadium move Link to Royals move article Link to Anne on Royals TV distribution  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB player chatbots, an Addison Barger giveaway, Tarik Skubal’s big arbitration win, the Tigers signing Framber Valdez, and a rough week for sports media, then (36:29) begin the 14th annual EW season preview series by discussing the 2026 Houston Astros with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, and the 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks (1:25:35) with The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, followed (1:54:53) by a postscript. 2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to chatbots story Link to Barger story Link to season preview series wiki Link to Passan on Skubal Link to Baumann on Skubal Link to Dan S. on Framber Link to Rosenthal on the Pirates Link to Rosenthal on the Tigers Link to Chandler on the cross-up Link to team SP projections Link to NPR on WaPo Link to NYT on WaPo sports Link to The Ringer on WaPo sports Link to The New Yorker on WaPo Link to The Atlantic on WaPo Link to Silver on WaPo Link to MLB.com layoffs Link to Grant post Link to team payrolls Link to Astros offseason tracker Link to Astros depth chart Link to BP IL Ledger Link to Dan S. on team injuries Link to Chandler on Correa Link to Chandler on Imai Link to Chandler on the infield Link to Chandler on Espada/Brown Link to Trueblood on Peña Link to Chandler’s author archive Link to Crush City Territory Link to Diamondbacks offseason tracker Link to Diamondbacks depth chart Link to team RP WAR Link to team RP WPA Link to ballpark funding deal info Link to more funding deal info Link to funding deal opinion piece Link to renovations preview Link to Nick on the Alexander trade Link to FG post on Santana Link to Nick’s author archive Link to Boehly/Epstein article Link to ESPN’s Clase report Link to Ben on Clase Link to EW episode on Clase Link to SABR awards voting Link to Wood/Lolich IP leaderboard Link to Lolich obit  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Richard Hershberger, baseball historian and author of Strike Four, joins to mark the National League’s 150th. He traces why the NL was formed and the early struggles of the 1876 clubs. Short, lively conversation about how the league adapted, the businessmen who built it, and whether the NL still means the same thing in today’s centralized game.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the oddly timed end of Derek Falvey’s rein as POBOth for the Twins, Jacob Wilson’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” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Athletic on Falvey Link to Favley Zoom meeting detail Link to FG payrolls page Link to MLBTR on Wilson Link to 2025 team batting WAR Link to 2025 team pitching WAR Link to team WAR projections Link to sowing/reaping meme Link to team offseason spending Link to FG offseason tracker Link to Rooker on aliens Link to Robertson retirement news Link to Crizer on opt-outs Link to EW wiki on trampolines Link to BP on inactive teams Link to Sheehan on inactive teams Link to The Athletic on trying tiers Link to projected team WAR Link to “dark horse” wiki Link to MLBTR on Evans Link to Mount Doom scene Link to Pasquantino news  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  Effectively Wild Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  Apple Podcasts Feed   Spotify Feed  YouTube Playlist  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Two hosts debate spring training as a live spectacle and how Opening Day’s lead-up has changed. They unpack the many meanings of “back end” in baseball. They imagine an outfielder who repels batted balls and whether telekinetic tricks would count as cheating. They riff on superhero and Fellowship of the Ring position fits. A Stat Blast examines Mets roster turnover and historical extremes.