Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben and Sam discuss the situation surrounding Barry Zito’s contract for 2014, and the Royals’ hot, small-sample start. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about batter-pitcher matchups, curious outfield alignments, where to put a player who can’t play defense, and what baseball would be like without innings. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk about the performance impact of velocity loss, then discuss the Astros’ astronomical early-season strikeout rate. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk about why the Marlins have put service-time considerations aside in Jose Fernandez’s case, then discuss Jose Bautista’s comments about umpires. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the latest injury to Brian Roberts, Evan Longoria running by Ben Zobrist, and the speculation about a Profar-for-Taveras trade. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam share their thoughts on Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, Yu Darvish, Fernando Rodney, the Royals, Tom Milone, Shaun Marcum, and more. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about whether we should let where and for how much a player signs influence how we expect him to play, then revisit their team predictions from the end of last season and discuss what started the sabermetric revolution. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the events of Opening Day that reinforced preseason expectations. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the recent news about extensions for Justin Verlander, Buster Posey, and Elvis Andrus. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk to Jason Parks about the forthcoming Fringe Average Podcast and BP prospect book, the ranking process, and how player development differs between teams. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk about Tim McCarver’s impending retirement and share their thoughts on broadcasting, then discuss whether changes in players’ routines have reduced the importance of clubhouse chemistry. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about PECOTA’s projections for the Yankees and Blue Jays, how the amateur draft and free agency would work in an auction format, and whether teams should offer players like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg $100 million lifetime contracts after drafting them. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss Yasiel Puig’s spring hot streak, how perceptions of him have changed since his signing, and what the Dodgers will do with him now. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss whether the supposed split between scouts and statheads about the outlook for the Astros actually exists. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the worst team to work for, what baseball would look like without outfield fences, when it’s okay to give up on high draft picks, and how Mariano Rivera compares to top starting pitchers. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk to former Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Dan Evans about his history as a baseball renaissance man and his new roles with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Northern League. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the rumored approach of the international approach with highly informed guest Jorge Arangure. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss Aroldis Chapman’s role and how much control players should have over the way they’re used by their teams. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk to Ian Miller about his WBC experience and the response to the tournament in the US and abroad. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss their expectations for Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay after their disappointing 2012 seasons and struggles this spring. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the Brewers’ Carlos Gomez extension and the increasing scarcity of impact free agents. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about how many games a team formed from the three worst teams in baseball would win, whether catchers (and non-catchers) should be allowed to block the plate, and expanding active rosters. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss Ben’s trip to Phoenix for the SABR Analytics Conference, covering the sabermetrics of marketing, clubhouse chemistry, knuckleballers, bullpen usage, the WBC, Kyle Lohse, and other topics along the way. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam preview the Rockies’ season with Geoff Young, and Pete talks to MLB.com Rockies beat writer Thomas Harding (at 16:42). var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam preview the Padres’ season with Geoff Young, and Pete talks to San Diego Union-Tribune writer Tom Krasovic (at 18:00). var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source