Effectively Wild Episode 2438: Season Preview Series – Pirates and Twins

Date: February 10, 2026
Hosts: Ben Lindbergh (The Ringer), Meg Rowley (FanGraphs)
Guests: John Perado (Pirates, Roundtable Sports), Aaron Gleeman (Twins, The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode continues the Effectively Wild season preview series with in-depth discussions on the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins, featuring local beat writers and reflecting on each franchise’s outlook, off-season moves, and broader organizational contexts. The episode is bookended by a long, passionate, and personal Super Bowl recap by Meg Rowley, with additional segments dedicated to recent baseball news, including remembrances of Buck Martinez and Terrance Gore.

Main Segments & Timestamps

1. Super Bowl Recap & Meg’s Seahawks Joy (00:23 – 29:11)
2. Buck Martinez & Terrance Gore Remembrances (29:11 – 35:02)
3. Pirates 2026 Preview with John Perado (44:23 – 84:22)
4. Twins 2026 Preview with Aaron Gleeman (85:07 – 124:20)

1. Super Bowl Recap & Fan Energy

00:23 – 29:11

Key Discussion Points

• Meg’s Seahawks Win Euphoria:

  • Meg takes an extended, gleeful “victory lap” celebrating Seattle’s Super Bowl victory, drawing lighthearted “hourglass” comments from Ben.
  • Discussion about the halftime show and baseball’s cultural intersections (Ronald Acuña Jr.’s appearance, Bad Bunny’s place in the baseball world).
  • Detailed joy over defensive dominance and strategic outperformances, specifically the Seahawks’ stifling play and Patriots’ struggles.
  • A humorous, cathartic rant about Chris Pratt’s association with the Seahawks and his impact on “vibes” (“We had to watch a full ass trailer…” – Meg, 10:35).
  • Breakdown of key players: Sam Darnold (praise for avoiding the big mistake), Kenneth Walker III (patience & MVP case), special teams quirks, and Jason Myers’ record-setting season.
  • Vibe of sports fan emotion versus professional distance (“I just get to be a dumb girl who loves these loves these football boys, you know, they're all beautiful.” – Meg, 07:00).

• Sports Fandom & Cross-team Feelings:

  • Meg on whether a Seahawks championship lessens her Mariners’ desire: “They’re really discrete experiences. I can’t really feel anything but awe at the year Seattle sports had…” (19:38).
  • The joy of Seattle’s multi-sport community and the idea that success in one sport does not satiate the passion for another team.
  • Quick side on uniforms, team nicknames, and why baseball lacks the “Legion of Boom”-style unit branding common in football.

Memorable Quotes:

• “My greatest issue today has been that I have been busy editing all morning and then we've been recording... But I just haven't been able to listen to any of my podcasts about my beautiful football guys.” – Meg, 22:40
• “He couldn't figure 'em out, Ben. He couldn't figure 'em out.” – Meg, 04:23
• “You are ready to box.” – Ben, 04:52

2. Baseball News & Remembrance

29:11 – 44:17

Key Discussion Points

• Buck Martinez Retirement (Voice, Impersonation, AI, Legacy)

  • Both hosts reflect on Martinez’s unique style and his impact on baseball broadcasting.
  • Humor about the impossibility of replicating his voice: “I don't think AI could replicate the sound of like vowels being simultaneously chewed and swallowed, which is like a lot of the Buck.” – Meg, 31:40

• Terrance Gore’s Untimely Death

  • Fond remembrance of Gore as a postseason pinch-runner archetype and his infectious personality.
  • Ben draws parallels between Gore’s special teams role in baseball and football, noting the types of players who may follow in his footsteps.

3. Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 Preview (John Perado)

44:23 – 84:22

Offseason Context & Organizational Overview

• Front Office Spending and Reputation:

  • Pirates talked a “good game” in the media about big spending but ultimately did more than in past years, though less than fans hoped. (“I think they kind of leaked some things to some of the national writers to try to change the perception…” – John, 45:38)

• FA Acquisition and “Competitiveness Deficit”:

  • Ryan O’Hearn signed to platoon-neutral, fair deal; will likely play RF with Ozuna’s addition as DH.
  • Marcel Ozuna signing likely ends Andrew McCutcheon’s Pirates career. The handling of McCutcheon’s departure described as “awkward” and “could have been handled better,” with some slight but firm comments: “I think Kutch kind of got a little whiny at the end…” – John, 52:14

Trades & Roster Additions

• Brandon Lowe, Mason Montgomery, Jake Mangum, Gregory Soto
  • Trades with Tampa, Houston bring useful but not headline-grabbing contributors.
  • Mangum praised as a “good fourth outfielder” after stealing 27 bases last year.
  • Pitching depth bolstered but not spectacularly.

Internal Improvement & Key Players

• O’Neill Cruz:

  • “He just doesn’t have the instincts of a baseball player.” – John, 56:28
  • Statcast vs Defensive Runs Saved debate. General disappointment in converting tools to results; “pivotal year” at age 27.

• Other Bats:

  • Reynolds needs to bounce back; Bart and Davis catching tandem – one with a bat but no glove, the other glove but no bat.

Prospects and Young Talent

• Rotation Excitement:

  • Paul Skenes (staff ace, “puts in the time… real student of the game” – John, 62:37)
  • Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft, Jarrod Jones – all homegrown, high-upside arms.
  • Possibility of an all-drafted rotation.

• Connor Griffin:

  • Consensus top prospect, potential Opening Day shortstop:

    “He has so far exceeded even their highest expectations… I never like to say somebody’s a can’t miss, but boy, it's going to be hard for him to miss.” – John, 72:11

Coaching and Management

• Don Kelly as Manager:
  • Replaced Derek Shelton post May 2025; praised for attention to detail, personality, connecting with players and fans.
  • “He lifts that clubhouse. Guys want to play for him.” – John, 76:50

Season Goals & Media Landscape

• What Constitutes Success:

  • “Over .500 means more here than it does in most cities.” (80:32)
  • Not outright postseason expectations but clear signs of progress.

• Media Coverage Crisis:

  • Declining local press; John recognizes importance of accountability journalism in Pittsburgh.

4. Minnesota Twins 2026 Preview (Aaron Gleeman)

85:07 – 124:20

Ownership, Front Office, and Payroll Issues

• Polad Family Power Shuffle, Payroll Slashing:

  • Jim Polad replaced by brother Tom:

    “He's a business guy to come in and say, well, yeah, we need to win next season… and their highest wattage move is a $7 million signing.” – Aaron, 88:15

    • Payroll down $60 million from 2023.
  • Falvey & Levine Regime Ends:

    “If you stop the tenure at 2023, it looks pretty good. Unfortunately, everybody had to play the last two years.” – Aaron, 92:41

• Managerial Carousel:

  • Rocco Baldelli out (owner-driven, “new voice needed”); replaced by Derek Shelton (longtime assistant, ex-Pirates manager, “hired in part because he agrees with the front office” – Aaron, 95:19).

Player Development, Core, and Transactions

• Byron Buxton:

  • Finally healthy, all-star-level production, high stolen base efficiency.
  • “To feel healthier at 30 than he did at 25 is kind of remarkable.” – Aaron, 95:59

• Deadline Selloff & Strategy:

  • Only bullpen really was liquidated (Duran, Jax, Varland); Joe Ryan not traded (“felt like the offers just weren’t at a level they felt were compelling” – Aaron, 98:34).
  • “Half rebuild, half stay the course” approach for 2026 – more sell-offs likely if things go south.

• Core Hitters’ Underachievement:

  • Persistent, puzzling lack of development among a “core group of 28-year-old, former first-rounders”; hitting coaches swapped, “rolling out the same core group… hoping things come together” (103:58).
  • Royce Lewis pegged as best shot for an All-Star besides Buxton but a “make or break year” looms.

• Additions:

  • Josh Bell (“vibes king,” constant 1-year deals), Victor Caratini (backup C/1B).

    “If you’re going to attempt to be competitive, you at least needed another…veteran bat and I think he checks that box.” – Aaron, 108:39

Pitching & Bullpen

• Rotation:

  • Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober: “pretty good rotation,” need all three healthy to contend.
  • Uncertainty: López’s 2025 injuries, Ober’s durability, Ryan’s second-half fade.

• Bullpen:

  • “34-year-old Taylor Rogers…if the season started today, he’s their closer, if only because he has experience.” – Aaron, 111:25
  • Depth is thin. Conversion of rotation depth to relief roles likely.

Prospects, Hope, and 2026 Bar

• Prospects on the Horizon:

  • Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kalin Culpepper could force in by July (“They have shown a willingness to push him pretty aggressively…” – Aaron, 120:23)
  • Hitting logjam may require trades or injuries to clear room.

• What is Success?

  • “I think to me that means .500 competitive. And, you know, everyone’s mileage may vary…” – Aaron, 121:06
  • If under .500 at the trade deadline, expect another sell-off, possibly a deeper rebuild/retool.

Notable Quotes (by Timestamp)

• “They just don’t have the instincts of a baseball player.”
  — John Perado (on O’Neill Cruz, 56:28)

• “If the season started, Nick Gonzalez would be their shortstop. I don’t think he can play short. He had minus 11 defensive runs saved last year at second base.”
  — John Perado, 75:05

• “The sad part is it never seems to ever pick up on anything. And if anything, it gets worse sometimes.”
  — John Perado, 58:15

• “If you stop the tenure at 2023, it looks pretty good. Unfortunately, everybody had to play the last two years.”
  — Aaron Gleeman, 92:41

• “I just really wish we could have built on the momentum of 2023. And what he didn't say in that, because he's a good soldier to the end, is I had no ability to do that.”
  — Aaron Gleeman, 91:00

• “I have been trying to wrestle with what my personal definition of competitive means because Tom Poled continues to use that phrasing for what he expects of the twins in 2026.”
  — Aaron Gleeman, 121:06

Takeaways & Themes

• Pirates:

  • More aggressive than in years past, but still not “all-in.” Core excitement is on generational homegrown pitching/prospect talent (Skenes, Griffin), with modest veteran additions.
  • Management and player development under a local, fan-favorite manager. Success defined as a .500+ season.
  • Media crisis could impact team/fan accountability.

• Twins:

  • Ownership shuffle leads to dramatic payroll cuts and front-office turnover.
  • Run-it-back-on-a-budget vibe; hopes center on a healthy Buxton, Lewis bounce-back, “new core” prospects—while prepared for fire sale if losing continues.
  • Managerial/organizational change is more about new titles than substantive direction change.

Additional Resources

• Interviews and stories cited by the hosts are linked in show notes at FanGraphs.
• Ben links to pieces on Terrance Gore’s archetype, Sebastian Perez prospect rumors, and more for those seeking deep dives.

For further preview episodes and more lively, stat-rich baseball banter, subscribe/rate Effectively Wild on your favorite podcast platform or support via Patreon.