Effectively Wild: A Fangraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben and Sam banter about a fictitious player from TV, then answer listener emails about Mike Trout, opt-ops, paying players not to play, persuading a parent to value Barry Bonds, and more.

Ben and Sam discuss whether the awe-inspiring 2018 free agent class is something MLB teams should be planning for already.

Ben and Sam discuss whether signing Jason Heyward makes the Cubs the best team in baseball.

Ben and Sam banter about Serial and basketball, then discuss the Astros-Phillies trade and Jason Heyward.

Ben and Sam discuss the Shelby Miller trade between the Diamondbacks and Braves, and the Cubs’ Starlin Castro trade and Ben Zobrist signing.

Ben and Sam banter about Hall of Fame voting and David Price, then talk about the recent trend toward teams acquiring multiple elite late-inning relievers.

Ben and Sam banter about David Price and Ryan Madson and discuss the Zack Greinke and Jeff Samardzija signings.

Ben and Sam talk to BP author Chris Mosch about the newest innovation in defensive positioning: the outfield shift.

Ben and Sam banter about rumors, answer emails about reclamation projects, a free-agent A-Rod, secret contracts, no-trade clauses, and more, and speak to someone who’s not expecting their call.

Ben and Sam banter about the Tony Cruz trade and then discuss a slightly (but only slightly!) more momentous move, the Red Sox signing David Price.

Ben and Sam talk to Andre Archimbaud, whose experience at the 2002 Winter Meetings, just before Moneyball blew up, was chronicled in Josh Lewin’s book, Getting in the Game.

Ben and Sam discuss the perplexities of the J.A. Happ and Jordan Zimmermann signings.

Ben and Sam banter about troublesome software (for some reason), then answer emails about constructing sensible trades, solving moral hazard, subbing for Andrelton Simmons, and what makes free agents happy.

Ben and Sam banter about Lloyd McClendon’s new managerial job, then talk about Aroldis Chapman being on the block.

Ben and Sam discuss MLB’s track record with rule changes, Scott Boras’ involvement in Jose Fernandez’ pitching plans, and Robinson Cano’s contract.

Ben and Sam discuss the latest gossip about the Mariners and Marlins, then do another career comparison of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper.

Ben and Sam banter about award apathy, Hall of Fame voting, and Francisco Rodriguez, then answer a couple listener emails.

Ben and Sam discuss the Rich Hill signing and more Mike Trout punctuation, then answer listener emails about Jerry Dipoto and David Ortiz and do a double Play Index.

Ben and Sam discuss why three free agents accepted qualifying offers, then break down both sides of the Andrelton Simmons trade.

Ben and Sam discuss the Craig Kimbrel trade and the way to talk about closers in 2015.