Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Hall of Famer Jim Palmer‘s endorsement of Netflix series Emily in Paris, a questionable Cubs-related baseball scene in the EiP series premiere, a Royals rookie record and a follow-up on Harold Ramírez’s hair, Ben’s latest former major leaguer Facebook friend recommendations, another way in which baseball is unique (or at least highly unusual) among major sports, defenders “taking away” hits from batters, the plateau in MLB’s percentage of international players, alternative baseball halls of fame, the Tigers trying and failing to sign Jean Segura, “purchasing” players vs. trading players, and more, plus a Past Blast from 1950.

Audio intro: Smoking Popes, “Letter to Emily”
Audio outro: Silver Jews, “Strange Victory, Strange Defeat”

Link to Palmer’s tweet
Link to second Palmer tweet
Link to Roeper tweet
Link to sports bar scene
Link to Gallagher tweet
Link to Bote homer
Link to Hudgens/Tucker info
Link to 25 Days of Bingemas
Link to SATC scene
Link to EW SATC mention
Link to KY3 on Royals rookies
Link to AP on Royals rookies
Link to story on Royals rookie duo
Link to team rookie homers
Link to Stathead on rookie homers
Link to Ramírez hair story
Link to preorder The New Ballgame
Link to Russell’s first book
Link to info on courtesy runners
Link to Retrosheet courtesy runners
Link to EW on baseball uniqueness
Link to info on international players
Link to HoF ballot tracker
Link to latest Rolen projection
Link to Hall of Stats
Link to Darowski EW episode
Link to Shrine of the Eternals
Link to Hall of Merit
Link to O.J. HoF info
Link to character clause info
Link to Passan on the character clause
Link to Ben’s 2021 ballot explanation
Link to Ben’s earlier ballot mention
Link to MLBTR on the Tigers
Link to 1950 story source
Link to SABR on psychologists
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley close the book on 2022 by bantering about the year in Effectively Wild, the Marlins signing Jean Segura, the heretofore-unsuspected existence of Charles Leblanc, and the pitch-calling accuracy of 10 retiring umpires, plus followups on how the zombie runner affects plate appearance totals, Lars Nootbaar’s pepper grinder, the year-to-year consistency of team replay-review success rates, and overlooked Rockies stories. Then (38:51) they discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each American League team that they had previously overlooked on the podcast in 2022 (including mini Stat Blasts about the most unique team lineups used per season and Anthony Santander and team winning percentages when a player hits at least two homers), plus a Past Blast (1:46:52) from 1949.

Audio intro: Other Lives, “End of the Year”
Audio outro: Blue Rain Boots, “2023”

Link to nVenue episode
Link to MLBTR on Segura
Link to projected team WAR
Link to retiring umps story
Link to Umpire Scorecards
Link to Hallion punchouts video
Link to story on ump improvements
Link to story on ump age
Link to EW episode on NL teams
Link to pepper grinder story
Link to tweets about Nootbaar
Link to replay success rates
Link to success-rate spreadsheet
Link to stat correlations
Link to SP stat correlations
Link to more stat correlations
Link to pitching stat correlations
Link to xstats correlations
Link to Freeland clip
Link to Pint story
Link to Rockies scoreboard
Second link to Rockies scoreboard
Link to 2022 SP WAR
Link to Baker deli story
Link to Craig Wright on Vogt
Link to UPI Vogt story
Link to Vogt homer video
Link to Vogt ref impression 1
Link to Vogt ref impression 2
Link to Ringer best sports moments
Link to highest BABIPs
Link to OAA behind pitcher
Link to FG on the righty shift
Link to Jays Journal on Gausman
Link to The Athletic on Gausman
Link to Jay Jaffe on Gausman
Link to FG on Jays shifting
Link to Kwan pinball story
Link to swing rate leaderboard
Link to CtC on Gonzalez
Link to story on Gonzalez’s swings
Link to story on Harry Ford
Link to story on Great Britain/WBC
Link to 2+ home run spreadsheet
Link to immaculate innings story
Link to best second-half hitters
Link to Harold Ramírez story
Link to Boston.com on Eck
Link to The Ecktionary on Twitter
Link to Ecktionary glossary
Link to The Athletic on Eckersley
Link to Eck on “pair of shoes”
Link to CBS Sports on Cuas
Link to The Athletic on Cuas
Link to Cuas MLBN video
Link to Cuas on his debut
Link to article on Meadows
Link to Rodriguez report
Link to Rodriguez return story
Link to lineups spreadsheet
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to previous lineups Stat Blast
Link to RP WPA leaders
Link to fastest four-seamers
Link to story on Cruz and Arraez
Link to ultimate grand slams
Link to Cabrera robbery
Link to article on Cabrera
Link to Pinstripe Alley on Cabrera
Link to 1949 story source
Link to Dodgertown site
Link to story on Rickey innovations
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter

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Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens continue a cherished podcast tradition by conducting the 10th annual Effectively Wild Minor League Free Agent Draft, in which they select 10 minor league free agents each and compete to see whose roster will accumulate the most combined MLB playing time in 2023. First they explain the history and ground rules of the draft, and then they start making their selections (18:11), followed by a Past Blast (1:20:02) from 1948.

Audio intro: Greg Brown, “Laughing River”
Audio outro: Buzzcocks, “Playing for Time”

Link to eligible free agents
Link to WAR of past selections
Link to the draft at the EW wiki
Link to competitions spreadsheet
Link to this year’s picks
Link to BA picks
Link to Down on the Farm (hitters)
Link to Down on the Farm (pitchers)
Link to Down on the Farm (signings)
Link to VEB on draftees
Link to 1948 story source
Link to SABR on Braves Field
Link to SABR on neon foul poles
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Carlos Correa’s contract limbo, the Pirates signing Rich Hill, the Rangers signing Nathan Eovaldi, the Red Sox signing Corey Kluber, the Blue Jays trading Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the Diamondbacks for Daulton Varsho, the Braves extending Sean Murphy, and the Phillies signing Craig Kimbrel. Then (39:51) they discuss at least one listener-nominated topic about each National League team that they had previously overlooked on the podcast in 2022 (including a Stat Blast at 1:12:53 about the decline in qualified hitters and hitters with 700-plus plate appearances), plus a Past Blast (1:44:29) from 1947.

Audio intro: Carl Smith, “I Overlooked an Orchid”
Audio outro: Harvey Danger, “I Missed It”

Link to article on “Dead Week”
Link to 2014 Correa injury
Link to Heyman on Correa
Link to Puma on Correa
Link to 2022 Correa injury
Link to MLBTR on Hill
Link to Hill quiz
Link to EW wiki on Hill
Link to MLBTR on Eovaldi
Link to FG SP depth chart
Link to MLBTR on Kluber
Link to MLBTR on Varsho
Link to MLBTR on Murphy
Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel
Link to story on Heredia swords
Link to Stathead on Heredia
Link to info on Heredia demotion
Link to info on Heredia promotion
Link to MLBTR on Heredia
Link to 2022 roster report
Link to Battery Power on Heredia
Link to Infinity Gauntlet story
Link to Brewers bell story
Link to Nootbar ASB story
Link to Nootbaar grinder origin
Link to Nootbaar grinder story
Link to Thompson/Kile story
Link to Laurila on Thompson
Link to info on Robertson demotion
Link to Robertson error
Link to Jeff Albert story
Link to story on Morel’s homer
Link to story on homer prediction
Link to fist-bump photo
Link to team attendance cost
Link to D-backs/Rays comparison
Link to Dodgers celebration
Link to Dodgers Reddit thread
Link to 2022 Clutch leaders
Link to Stathead on Flores split
Link to Doval story
Link to Doval pitch usage
Link to 2022 fastest pitches
Link to Stat Blast spreadsheet
Link to teams with one qualifier
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to research on days off
Link to more research on days off
Link to load management article
Link to more on load management
Link to Nate Fisher story
Link to Reddit thread on Friedland
Link to Friedland’s LinkedIn
Link to Defector on Mets replays
Link to replay-challenge leaders
Link to replay success rates
Link to WaPo on Doolittle
Link to Washingtonian on Doolittle
Link to Musgrove trip website
Link to MLB.com on Musgrove
Link to Musgrove pitch
Link to Musgrove’s Polaroids
Link to Stathead on Phillies saves
Link to minor league leaderboard
Link to Pirates Reddit thread
Link to MLBTR on Kendall
Link to Greene’s pitch usage
Link to Ben Clemens on Greene
Link to BA on Greene’s fastball
Link to FG on Greene’s fastball
Link to MLB.com on Robinson
Link to EW on catcher bias
Link to MLB.com on Rox prospects
Link to 1947 story source
Link to Doby SABR bio
Link to SABR on integration
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Craig Wright on Doby
Link to Wright on Doby/Boudreau
Link to Nootbaar grinder
Link to Nootbar framed photo
Link to Nootbaar unframed photo
Link to Nootbar uninscribed ball
Link to Nootbar inscribed ball

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest Carlos Correa-related reporting, the Giants’ signings of Michael Conforto and Taylor Rogers, the hijinks potential of twin teammates Taylor and Tyler Rogers, the final results of the free-agent-contract over/under draft, their cautious optimism about the Angels (28:35), the Reds’ spending constraints (39:19), owners complaining about Steve Cohen, how it feels for fans when a team’s identity changes, and Trevor Bauer’s reinstatement from the suspended list (55:16). Also: a Past Blast from 1946 (1:10:15) and Stat Blasts (1:14:57) about the most distinct batters to come to the plate in one half-inning, the most Retrosheet offensive events by one player in one game, and (with guest Stat Blaster Zach Kram of The Ringer) the highest and lowest team payrolls adjusted for MLB salary inflation. (Hint: The highest is not the 2023 Mets.) Plus a postscript!

Audio intro: The Boo Radleys, “Twinside”
Audio outro: Alvarado Road Show, “Baseball Stops for Christmas”

Link to Passan on Correa
Link to The Athletic on Correa
Link to Grant on Correa
Link to Gausman tweet
Link to Verducci on Correa
Link to Correa’s house-hunting
Link to details on Correa’s leg
Link to Ben C. on Giants signings
Link to Drellich on Cohen
Link to Ben L. on long contracts
Link to Reds spending tweet
Link to Alex Eisert on Reds moves
Link to WFAN Correa call
Link to KNBR Correa calls
Link to fan self-esteem study
Link to Jake Mailhot on Drury
Link to EW competitions/drafts
Link to ESPN on Bauer
Link to WaPo on Bauer
Link to L.A. Times on Bauer
Link to 1946 story source
Link to “defensive spectrum” wiki
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Stat Blast info
Link to Ryan Nelson’s Twitter
Link to current team payrolls
Link to inflation-adjusted payrolls
Link to 2018 Craig Edwards post
Link to SIS on the Yankees’ defense
Link to team DRS rankings
Link to Langs tweet
Link to eclipse game box score
Link to MLBTR on Varsho
Link to outfield OAA leaders

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down every incredible angle of the biggest twist of the MLB offseason: free agent Carlos Correa’s overnight pivot from a 13-year agreement with the San Francisco Giants to a 12-year deal with the New York Mets. After their incredulous Correa reactions, they close with a few thoughts on the Pirates’ latest innovation in the realm of announcing signings (this one involving Austin Hedges), Aaron Judge and the Yankees’ captaincy, and their intention to talk about Brandon Drury and the Angels, plus a Past Blast from 1945.

Audio intro: Fruit Bats, “Stunned One”
Audio outro: The Weakerthans, “Hymn of the Medical Oddity”

Link to Ben L. on Correa
Link to Ben C. on Correa
Link to Boras comments
Link to Verducci on Correa
Link to Heyman’s report
Link to Heyman on Cohen
Link to The Athletic on Correa
Link to Emma’s tweet
Link to team payrolls
Link to team depth charts
Link to 2003 Onion story
Link to Astudillo report
Link to R.J.’s Pirates tweet
Link to Jeter video
Link to MLBTR on McCann
Link to 1945 story source
Link to SABR on Robinson’s signing
Link to SABR on Wright
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the differences, if any, between a two-year deal with an opt out after the first year and a one-year deal with a player option for a second year, then discuss the Dansby Swanson signing, the destinations of the winter’s top four shortstops, and the state of the Cubs, the spending of the White Sox, the AL Central, and the trajectories of Andrew Benintendi and Joey Gallo, Atlanta depending on Vaughn Grissom to replace Swanson at shortstop, the Dodgers and Red Sox essentially swapping DHs in J.D. Martinez and Justin Turner (and Boston’s confusing competitive stance), the Orioles’ unexciting signings and the Marlins’ lack of moves, the Padres and Mets continuing to add players and payroll and whether Seth Lugo is like socks, the Astros re-signing Michael Brantley, Kris Bryant being on the Rockies, and more, plus Stat Blasts about this winter’s unusually long contracts and Rich Hill’s gap between 30-start seasons (1:03:35), a Past Blast from 1944 (1:15:28), and a Hall-of-Fame follow-up.

Audio intro: ABBA, “Two for the Price of One”
Audio outro: JD McPherson, “Socks”

Link to Wendy on mutual options
Link to article on tweet length
Link to Ben Clemens on Swanson
Link to Dan Szymborski on the Cubs
Link to Laurila on Benintendi
Link to Baumann on Gallo
Link to Chris Gilligan on Lugo
Link to team payrolls
Link to SP depth charts
Link to Battery Power on Grissom
Link to Esteban Rivera on JDM
Link to Justin Choi on Turner
Link to Baumann on the Red Sox
Link to article on Bloom buying/selling
Link to article on Boston’s deadline
Link to Dan on the Orioles
Link to Hill Stat Blast data
Link to 1944 story source
Link to story on Phillies rebrand
Link to SABR on team nicknames
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to latest Ringer-Verse episode
Link to first Ringer-Verse episode

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Yankees signing Carlos Rodón, Rodón’s recent trajectory and future, New York teams at the top of the payroll leaderboard and starting-pitcher projections, the career of the late Curt Simmons, and the perfect pace of this offseason. Then (31:06) they answer listener emails about the best players to pick for a snowball fight, using the same baseball throughout a game, Steve Cohen and sportswashing, persuading Pirates owner Bob Nutting to spend, Nutting and A Christmas Carol, a lottery for a free agent Shohei Ohtani, and a baseball rope-a-dope strategy, plus a Past Blast from 1943, musings on the Red Sox designating Jeter Downs for assignment, and a postscript on late-breaking transactions and a pedantic observation about the term “DFA.”

Audio intro: The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, “New York”
Audio outro: The Orchids, “Mr. Scrooge”

Link to Ben Clemens on Rodón
Link to Jake Mintz on Rodón
Link to info on Rodón non-tender
Link to team payrolls
Link to SP depth charts
Link to Craig Wright on Simmons
Link to Pages From Baseball’s Past
Link to “The Homer They Fall”
Link to EW emails database
Link to 1943 story source
Link to info on Ullenberg
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to MLBTR on Downs
Link to MLBTR on Benintendi
Link to MLBTR on Gallo
Link to MLBTR on Hosmer
Link to Secret Santa sign-up sheet
Link to Secret Santa FB thread

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Pirates’ Vince Velasquez hype video, a “mutant option” for Cody Bellinger, and a Francisco Rodríguez-only Hall of Fame ballot, then (22:09) discuss Carlos Correa’s 13-year contract with the Giants and its implications for the NL West, the Twins and Cubs, and the future of old-player production, along with musings on the state of the Dodgers’ rotation after their signing of Noah Syndergaard. After that (51:24), FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens joins to get everyone interested in interest rates and explain why the CBA and economic conditions have encouraged teams to sign so many free agents to extremely lengthy deals this winter. They close (1:22:40) with a Past Blast from 1942.

Audio intro: The Luxembourg Signal, “Ramblin’ Rodriguez”
Audio interstitial: The Hold Steady, “On With the Business”
Audio outro: PUP, “Grim Reaping”

Link to Velasquez video
Link to signing tweet
Link to Priester video
Link to laptop tweet
Link to Pirates’ winter moves
Link to “mutant option” tweet
Link to Foolish tweet
Link to Belisle mutual option
Link to bad ballot
Link to Dan S. on Correa
Link to Mallory Pugh wiki
Link to Eisert on Syndergaard
Link to Dodgers depth chart
Link to SP depth charts
Link to Simon on Correa
Link to Olney on Judge
Link to Ricketts comment
Link to Ben on long deals
Link to Rosenthal on long deals
Link to EW on long deals
Link to Kovalchuk article
Link to NPR on interest rates
Link to 1942 story source
Link to FDR’s letter
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Carlin video
Link to Carlin transcript
Link to Secret Santa sign-up sheet
Link to Secret Santa FB thread

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the two teams at the top and bottom, respectively, of the MLB payroll hierarchy, the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics, touching on the Mets’ signings of Brandon Nimmo, Kodai Senga, and David Robertson, the A’s trading away Sean Murphy, and what a vast disparity in spending does and doesn’t signify for MLB’s competitive balance. They also banter about the other teams’ ends of that three-team trade, the state of the NL East, the Giants’ starting-pitcher signings, a reported Padres offer, the Blue Jays’ and Twins’ latest additions, Munetaka Murakami news, and more, plus a Past Blast from 1941.

Audio intro: Billy Joel, “Last of the Big Time Spenders”
Audio outro: Sex Bob-Omb, “Threshold”

Link to Patrick Dubuque on Cohen
Link to Longenhagen on Senga
Link to Baumann on Mets spending
Link to Rosenthal on owners
Link to Rosenthal on Murphy
Link to Baumann on Murphy
Link to Law on Murphy
Link to Petriello on Murphy
Link to FG payroll page
Link to team catcher WAR
Link to SP depth charts
Link to 2005 team payrolls
Link to FG post on Manaea
Link to FG post on Bassitt
Link to FG on Vázquez/Zunino
Link to Marlins article
Link to Padres report
Link to Kovalchuk article
Link to Murakami news
Link to Ben’s SNL oral history
Link to 1941 story source
Link to Lefty Grove bio
Link to Jacob Pomrenke’s website
Link to Jacob Pomrenke on Twitter
Link to Secret Santa sign-up sheet
Link to Secret Santa FB thread
Link to share of team Ks sheet

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