Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben and Sam discuss whether recent events and rumors portend more young players on the move, and why. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about the importance of coaches, defensive stats, and how we know whether pitchers should gain or lose weight, with guest appearances by Colin Wyers and Doug Thorburn. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss which teams might benefit most from adding a few wins this winter. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the discrepancies between lists of the top free agents this offseason. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam welcome Matthew Kory to the podcast to discuss the David Ortiz contract negotiations and the outlook for the Red Sox this winter. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss what the Ervin Santana trade says about the Royals’ rotation and the pitching market, then talk about what Rick Hahn’s ascension to the GM role in Chicago means for the future of front offices. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the three-year deal the Dodgers gave Brandon League and reliever salaries in general, then talk about whether Gold Glove voters and advanced defensive stats agree more often than they used to. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the decisions the Angels are about to make concerning Dan Haren and Ervin Santana and talk about what their 2013 rotation will look like, then predict 2013’s division/World Series winners and last-place teams. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the start of the offseason and what the Giants’ second World Series win in three seasons says about GM Brian Sabean. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss all the notable events from World Series Game Two, including Madison Bumgarner’s impressive outing, the line drive off of Doug Fister’s head, and Jim Leyland’s decision to play the infield back in the seventh, then assess the odds of a comeback by the Tigers. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the unpredictable outcome of World Series Game One and observe that Delmon Young is starting to look a lot like Stanley from The Office. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the most interesting angles heading into the series and succumb to the pressure to make their picks. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss whether the NLCS performances of several players affected how they think about them or changed the narratives that followed them into the series. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the deeper significance, if any, of the Yankees getting swept. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss how the postponement of Game Four hurt the Yankees, talk about how terrible at baseball Hunter Pence appears to be and whether he’s always looked like that, and conclude by revisiting the widespread anti-Cardinals sentiment among baseball fans and examining their own emotional allegiances. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss Joe Girardi’s decision(s) not to pinch-hit for any of his left-handed hitters late in Game Three of the ALCS. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss whether Matt Holliday’s takeout slide at second was against the rules and why the Cardinals are so widely disliked, then talk about how Ryan Vogelsong has rewarded the Giants for their faith during a string of bad starts. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam catch up on the Yankees-Tigers ALCS and Ben’s beat-writing adventures, then talk about why players and stats disagree about the difficulty of pitching on short rest, and Jim Leyland’s comments about closers. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam catch up with the latest action developments in each of the just-completed or still-in-progress playoff series, then discuss Darren O’Day in greater depth. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss Game Three of the Yankees-Orioles ALDS, the decision to pinch-hit for Alex Rodriguez, and A-Rod’s future in New York, then talk about why the Stephen Strasburg debate won’t go away. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam bring on Jason Wojciechowski to discuss whether the 2-3 playoff format is the abomination he makes it out to be, then talk about how the A’s Game Three victory changes (or doesn’t change) their odds of beating the Tigers. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam talk to Not Jim Tracy about his resignation from the Rockies, then discuss how the narratives surrounding each playoff series have held up over the first few days of games. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam are joined by Marc Normandin, formerly of Baseball Prospectus and currently of SB Nation, to discuss which teams will win a World Series in the next five years, the changing role of beat writers, and Joe Saunders, the Orioles’ starter in tonight’s play-in game. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam join/are joined by Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs for a longest-ever episode about the worst predictions teams and players made about themselves, Bryce Harper’s historical significance, and the baseball players who led the league in our hearts in 2012. We talked for almost an hour, so adjust your commutes accordingly. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben and Sam discuss the Mariners’ decision to bring in (and lower) Safeco Field’s fences, then talk about what the seasons of Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Norichika Aoki say about the difficulty of projecting the performance of Japanese imports. var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source