Effectively Wild Episode 2552: The Best Things in Life Are Free Agents

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Astros’ new GM hire and Bryce Harper’s comments about the likelihood of a lost season and his preference for the offseason over the season (22:22). Then FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens joins to break down the MLB free agent class: the weak crop of domestic players, the top NPB imports, the outlook for Tarik Skubal, the players who could have been available if they hadn’t signed extensions, the lockout looming over the market, and much more.

Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Clase-Ortiz trial story
Link to MLBTR on Flores
Link to Ben on ex-player GMs
Link to MLBTR on Brown
Link to Ng story
Link to “euphemism treadmill”
Link to Harper comments
Link to EW guests spreadsheet
Link to top 50 FA ranking
Link to Ben L. on free agency
Link to MLBTR on Reyes
Link to NPB offensive leaderboard
Link to posting details story
Link to MrSugarPenis story
Link to Oda story
Link to Nogami story
Link to MLBTR on qualifying offers