Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Konnor Griffin’s openness to an extension with the Pirates and a weird Wilyer Abreu check-swing broken bat, then preview the 2026 Boston Red Sox (20:00) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, and the 2026 Cincinnati Reds (1:08:36) with The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans.

Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to FG post on Scherzer
Link to FG post on Sale
Link to Misiorowski video
Link to article about video
Link to FG post about video
Link to Griffin report
Link to MLBTR on Griffin
Link to Griffin’s wedding
Link to Griffin’s homers
Link to MLBTR on his bonus
Link to Skenes WBC quote
Link to Skubal start news
Link to Abreu video
Link to Abreu article
Link to definition of swing
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Red Sox offseason tracker
Link to Red Sox depth chart
Link to team SP projections
Link to Pete Abe post
Link to Red Sox HR projections
Link to Red Sox 2B projections
Link to Cora on the projections
Link to FG post on Duran
Link to Alex on Gonzales
Link to Alex’s author archive
Link to Reds offseason tracker
Link to Reds depth chart
Link to 2025 team SP WAR
Link to C. Trent on Marte’s catch
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to Votto post 1
Link to Votto post 2
Link to The Simpsons quote
Link to C. Trent’s author archive

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a player with legs like a centaur, a knuckleballer’s sore subject, Arte Moreno’s thoughts on whether winning matters to fans, a response from the barback who gave free drinks to a fellow listener, and a new perspective on Tony Clark’s reportedly inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law. Then (45:17) they talk to Maxfield Lane and Owen Riley of Oyster Analytics about the challenge system’s tactical considerations and when it does and doesn’t make sense to second-guess the ump (and also, some slightly scary mascots).

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to story about Sloan
Link to Sloan headshot
Link to A-Rod centaur story
Link to horse anatomy info
Link to They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Link to Kapler/calves post 1
Link to Kapler/calves post 2
Link to tweets about Waldron
Link to MLBTR on Waldron
Link to info on bidets and hemorrhoids
Link to Breaking Bad scene
Link to Hill EW interview
Link to Moreno comments
Link to MLBPA response
Link to team attendance data
Link to “Macavity”
Link to Reddit comment
Link to Obi-Wan quote
Link to Wells video
Link to post on Wells 1
Link to post on Wells 2
Link to Down on the Farm
Link to Oyster Analytics on Bluesky
Link to Oyster rankings
Link to Oyster challenge dashboard
Link to Oyster challenge explainer
Link to 2016 article on Yankees challenges
Link to BP on replay reviews
Link to Tango on challenges
Link to Tango on challenges 2
Link to Tango on challenges 3
Link to Stark on challenges
Link to Blum/Lin on challenges
Link to Sale on challenging
Link to Sale on calling pitches
Link to Sale jersey story
Link to Bull Durham quote
Link to Baysox story 1
Link to Baysox story 2
Link to Archie info
Link to Archie/Truckee photo
Link to Mr. Baseball info

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a video of Brandon Marsh’s hair-wetting, the Phillies’ latest therapy, the Red Sox “home whites” non-disparagement saga, a former team exec’s proposals to promote competitive balance, and the best candidates among MLB players to pit against each other in a “Who ya got?” debate, then preview the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays (55:43) with The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, and the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays (1:42:53) with MLB.com’s Adam Berry.

Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Steele tweet
Link to Marsh video
Link to Jake on Marsh’s hair routine
Link to Baumann on Crawford
Link to hyperbaric oxygen therapy article 1
Link to hyperbaric oxygen therapy article 2
Link to Mayo Clinic on hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Link to research on efficacy
Link to Red Sox jersey change
Link to story on changing statements
Link to side-by-side statements
Link to @RedSox reply
Link to Ball on competitive balance
Link to Moneyball scene
Link to BP on competitive balance
Link to Ben on Machado vs. Arenado
Link to Ben on Correa vs. Seager
Link to Baumann on Conforto vs. Judge
Link to Machado vs. Arenado, rest of 2015
Link to Machado vs. Arenado, 2016 on
Link to Correa vs. Seager, 2018 on
Link to Conforto vs. Judge, start of 2017
Link to Conforto vs. Judge, rest of 2017
Link to Conforto vs. Judge, 2018 on
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Blue Jays offseason tracker
Link to Blue Jays depth chart
Link to 2025 team FRV
Link to team SP projections
Link to Rogers Centre renovations
Link to “Toronto” pronunciation
Link to Return of the Jedi scene
Link to bagged milk
Link to Happ on bagged milk
Link to Sloan’s website
Link to Mitch’s author archive
Link to Mitch’s podcast
Link to Rays offseason tracker
Link to Rays depth chart
Link to Dolinar data 1
Link to Dolinar data 2
Link to three-team-trades stat
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to team WAR projections
Link to Shane scene
Link to ballpark renderings
Link to trial delay
Link to Adam’s author archive
Link to spring training Opening Day

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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.

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

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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

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about hamate fractures and other deflating spring training injury announcements, Zack Wheeler’s preserved rib, Chris Getz and Luisangel Acuña, a profusion of salary cap coverage, and more, and then preview the 2026 Baltimore Orioles (38:50) with The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka, and the 2026 San Diego Padres (1:27:28) with MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell.

Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 1: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial 2: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to hamate injuries story
Link to “bird bones” wiki
Link to hamate research 1
Link to hamate research 2
Link to Walcott news
Link to Acuña 200% story
Link to >100% wiki entry
Link to Casas “dry swings” story
Link to rib story
Link to Castellanos post
Link to Gelb on Castellanos
Link to Castellanos release news
Link to Craig on Castellanos
Link to Stubbs milk post
Link to Kimbrel photo
Link to Kimbrel photo thread
Link to Tong photo
Link to Getz/Acuña montage
Link to Getz/Acuña story
Link to Sam on Getz/Acuña
Link to Murakami misspelling
Link to prediction markets story
Link to Passan cap story
Link to previous Passan cap story
Link to Drellich cap story
Link to previous Drellich cap story
Link to Rubenstein/Epstein story
Link to team payrolls page
Link to Orioles offseason tracker
Link to Orioles depth chart
Link to team SP projections
Link to team RP projections
Link to team offseason spending
Link to Elias quote
Link to O’s catchers
Link to Andy’s author archive
Link to Padres offseason tracker
Link to Padres depth chart
Link to AJ’s last 2025 post
Link to AJ’s first 2026 post
Link to Padres sale story 1
Link to Padres sale story 2
Link to Padres sale story 3
Link to Manfred quote
Link to team RP WAR
Link to team ISO
Link to ESPN farm rankings
Link to BP farm rankings
Link to BA on Padres prospects
Link to Shildt story
Link to AJ on Preller
Link to AJ’s author archive
Link to Stathead query 1
Link to Stathead query 2
Link to Stathead query 3

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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