Effectively Wild Episode 2398: Free Agent Class is in Session

Ben and Meg banter about the Rockies reportedly hiring Paul DePodesta as their new head of baseball operations, another managerial hiring, MLB’s World Series ratings bonanza, the resurgence of the splitter, the Royals extending Salvador Perez (https://www.fangraphs.com/players/sal...) , and more. Then (44:30) they bring on Ben Clemens to discuss his ranking of this offseason’s top 50 free agents, the strengths and weaknesses of the class as a whole, some notable free agents from Kyle Tucker (https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kyl...) on down, players he’s high/low on, and how the specter of a future work stoppage might affect this hot stove season.



Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r_Su...) ”

Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nUFP...) ”

Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme (https://drive.google.com/file/d/14GwE...) ”



Link to MLBTR on DePobo (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/1...)

Link to report on “finalists” (https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/198572...)

Link to Colorado tax measure (https://apnews.com/article/colorado-p...)

Link to Passan’s Stammen tweet (https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/19864...)

Link to Tingler report (https://bsky.app/profile/andrewbaggar...)

Link to WBC exhibitions (https://x.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/...)

Link to MLB ratings release (https://www.mlb.com/press-release/pre...)

Link to article on Canadian ratings (https://www.thestar.com/sports/blue-j...)

Link to MLB/NBA ratings comparison (https://bsky.app/profile/lukeknox.me/...)

Link to Sarris on splitters (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6774...)

Link to Andrews on splitters (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-month...)

Link to splitter usage by year (https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/maj...)

Link to Neyer on splitters/forkballs (https://robneyer.substack.com/p/why-a...)

Link to Salvy extension post (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/royals-ex...)

Link to MLBPA investigation story (https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/4...)

Link to banned agent story (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6766...)

Link to Other Ben’s FA ranking (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-top-...)

Link to MLBTR on Bieber (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/1...)

Link to Tango on Bieber (https://tangotiger.com/index.php/site...)

Link to Secret Santa sign-up (https://form.typeform.com/to/nUvEzdoR)

Link to Plot Hole or Not Hole (   • The TRUTH Behind the Most Famous Plot Hole...  )




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Source (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effective...)