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, 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 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”
Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to MLBTR on DePobo
Link to report on “finalists”
Link to Colorado tax measure
Link to Passan’s Stammen tweet
Link to Tingler report
Link to WBC exhibitions
Link to MLB ratings release
Link to article on Canadian ratings
Link to MLB/NBA ratings comparison
Link to Sarris on splitters
Link to Andrews on splitters
Link to splitter usage by year
Link to Neyer on splitters/forkballs
Link to Salvy extension post
Link to MLBPA investigation story
Link to banned agent story
Link to Other Ben’s FA ranking
Link to MLBTR on Bieber
Link to Tango on Bieber
Link to Secret Santa sign-up
Link to Plot Hole or Not Hole

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