Effectively Wild Episode 2439: Season Preview Series – Brewers and Rangers

February 11, 2026
Hosts: Ben Lindbergh (The Ringer), Meg Rowley (FanGraphs)
Guests: Kurt Hogue (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Kennedy Landry (MLB.com)

Overview

This episode of Effectively Wild dives deep into the 2026 season outlooks for the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers. Ben and Meg welcome Kurt Hogue for the Brewers preview, unpacking the team’s unique organizational philosophy, key offseason moves, and player development pipeline. Later, Kennedy Landry provides a field report from Rangers spring training, analyzing big roster shakeups, challenges facing the club’s core position players, new manager Skip Schumaker’s arrival, and much more.

Previews & Key Discussion Points

I. Pre-Guest Discussion: MLB.TV Access, Tigers’ Rotation Moves, and Transaction Chatter

[00:23-20:09]

• MLB.TV Updates: Ben and Meg detail the latest on MLB.TV subscriptions — existing users face little change, no price hikes, and, for 20 teams, newly bundled streaming options.

  “If you are an existing MLB TV subscriber ... business as usual.” — Ben [01:59] “...We don’t want to downplay how burdensome [following all the games/platforms] can be financially and ... psychologically.” — Meg [04:39]

• Spring Training Vibe & Tech Metaphors: Banter about subscription metaphors leads to a discussion on the accuracy of the “boiling frog” analogy.

  “Do you think that frogs feel offended ... as creatures go.” — Meg [05:44]

• Justin Verlander Returns to Detroit: Highlighting the pitcher’s homecoming — a sentimental move with genuine roster impact.

  "Nice for the fans. ...It's not a farewell tour victory lap." — Ben [12:27]

• Injury Updates and Early Spring Rituals:

  • Notable injuries (Lindor, Schwellenbach, Santander, Francis) showing that pitcher attrition “springs eternal.”

  “This is supposed to be a fresh start ... but sadly, so do UCLs. I guess UCLs spring eternal.” — Ben [13:41]

• Tracking the Devers Trade Tree: The evolving fallout and minimal direct returns for Boston from the Rafael Devers trade.

II. Milwaukee Brewers Season Preview with Kurt Hogue

[20:09-67:41]

A. Organizational Philosophies, Projections, and the "Apple Bites" Model

• Projections peg Brewers around .500, sparking “no one believes in us” energy from the club and its manager Pat Murphy.

  “It’s good fodder for Pat Murphy. ... He's really hamming up this underdog card.” — Kurt [23:11]

• Brewers have consistently won more than public projection models expect, thanks to a distinct process emphasizing runs prevention, base running, and development.

  “They run a really clean operation. ... We have doubted them before, and they have thrown egg at our face.” — Kurt [26:48]

• Despite regular season success, postseason performance remains a sticking point.

  “They do have this persistent seeming issue of not being able to make their way through the gauntlet of October ...” — Meg [27:04]

B. Roster Construction: Reluctance for Big Free Agent Splashes

• Brewers rarely sign major-league free agents; focus is on development and low-risk depth moves.

  “I put a list together for you guys. ...Pedro Severino, Andrew McCutchen, Brian Anderson, not the announcer, and it's Reese Hoskins, which is kind of the aberration.” — Kurt [29:15]

C. Offseason Trades & Prospect Pipeline

• Notable Moves: Trading two top-four Rookie of the Year finishers (Caleb Durbin, Isaac Collins) for prospects, yet organizational depth abounds.
• Freddie Peralta trade: Seen as another controlled, value-forward move, not just salary dumping.

  “They're selling high on Freddie ... he’s coming off, let’s face it, a great year.” — Kurt [34:23]

• Incoming prospects: Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat headline returns, with the FO believing the depth and versatility keep the model sustainable.

  “They’re sort of taking the gamble that Jet Williams ... can be as good as Durbin this year.” — Kurt [37:40]

D. Player Development & Key Contributors

• Jackson Chourio: Still young (21), flashes elite tools; controlling the zone is the key for a true breakout.

  “If he's controlling the zone, he's going to be a superstar. It’s really that simple.” — Kurt [44:11]

• William Contreras: Played through a broken finger, still provided top-6 WAR at catcher.

  “William Contreras ... absolute gamer.” — Kurt [46:21]

• Andrew Vaughn: Historic turnaround in his season; team’s hitting development success with Vaughn characterized as an outlier.

  “It was as legitimate of a bizarre 2 month, 3 month breakout as you can have...” — Kurt [48:42]

• Quinn Priester: Benefited from Brewers’ pitching development, with coach Chris Hook cited as an unsung hero.

  “They tinker with the pitch mix a little. But ultimately ... the Brewers’ pitching development just seem to have a lot of the right answers.” — Kurt [50:54]

• Jesus Made: Teenage prospect, "Chourio schedule" expected, game refined, could be quick to the big leagues.

  “He’s not that far away from being able to play in the major leagues.” — Kurt [61:40]

E. Pitching Staff & Bullpen

• Brandon Woodruff anchors youth-laden rotation; both veteran leadership and on-field contribution vital, especially for Miz.
• Bullpen: Stability, multi-inning weapons, and new additions like Zerpa.

  “The bullpen should once again be a strength. ... Uribe is a closer-in-waiting.” — Kurt [56:03]

F. Christian Yelich’s New Era

• Yelich no longer the centerpiece but is providing above-average, consistent production for his big contract.

  "He's delivering a decent to good amount of production on that salary, which is very important." — Kurt [58:41]

G. Success Criteria & Organizational Outlook

• The method is the message: success means validation of their pipeline-centric, "bites at the apple" approach, not necessarily a championship (yet).

  "A successful year for them is ... maintaining legitimate optimism that in the next five years they will win a World Series and this machine ... will fully realize its Death Star ability." — Kurt [62:53] "[The Brewers] are just so hard to talk about sometimes, and it’s my job to talk about them." — Kurt [66:02]

III. Texas Rangers Season Preview with Kennedy Landry

[67:59-107:04]

A. Roster Shakeups & Lineup Turnover

• Key moves: Marcus Semien traded to the Mets for Brandon Nimmo; non-tender of Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim; acquisition of Danny Jansen at catcher.

  “We were all kind of just as shocked ... Marcus Semien has been a pillar ...” — Kennedy [69:16]

• Offense has sputtered the past two years — injuries and regression from key players (Seager, Carter, Berger, Young, Jock Peterson).

  “It really has been a confounding two years on the offensive end for the Rangers.” — Kennedy [72:22]

• Catching: Higashioka and Jansen to share duties; little upper-minor depth at the position.
• Outfield: Langford, Carter, Nimmo core. Concerns about arm strength in right field. Langford praised as likely second-best hitter already.

  “Wyatt Langford is already, I think, the second best hitter on the Rangers ...” — Kennedy [77:10]

B. Young Core — Questions and Expectations

• Evan Carter: Still only 23; improving vs. LHP, injuries (especially back) are a concern but indications are positive.

  "The back issues that plagued him for so long have at least calmed down." — Kennedy [74:26]

• Josh Jung and Jake Burger: Both demoted last year for performance/mental resets; mental side is key challenge for 2026.

  “...the mental things that went on with Jake last year really did kind of affect him on the field.” — Kennedy [82:18]

• Prospect Watch: Sebastian Walcott (19) is the name to know, but not close to immediate impact.

C. Pitching Staff

• Key Rotation Addition: MacKenzie Gore (acquired via trade)
  • Provides needed depth behind deGrom/Eovaldi.
  • Rangers confident in pitching infrastructure under new pitching coach Jordan Teague.

  “The Gore acquisition was really a need to fortify the rotation ... Rangers have the perfect pitching infrastructure and place to get the most out of Mackenzie Gore.” — Kennedy [85:45]

• Jacob deGrom: Aging but made 30 starts for first time in years; club will carefully manage workload again, but hopes are high for continued impact.

  "Jacob deGrom does what Jacob deGrom [does] and he proves us wrong. He had a sub-three ERA ... " — Kennedy [89:23]

• Replacing Bruce Bochy with Skip Schumaker: New, younger manager reputed to communicate better with a young clubhouse.

  “I’ve never gotten so many congratulatory texts for something that I had, like, nothing to do with … He does come as advertised.” — Kennedy [91:35].

• Pitching Depth & Youth: Leiter “probably a lock” for the rotation; Rocker a reclamation/development project this spring.

D. Bullpen Construction

• Blend of returning names (Garcia, Martin, Wynn) and new adds (Junis, Diaz, Alexander, Balmer).
  • Key focus: conquering high-leverage innings, many blown saves in 2025.

  “I think you have a number of guys who could potentially be in a closer role. ...” — Kennedy [97:30]

E. Success Criteria & Organizational Outlook

• Target: At least making the playoffs, and aiming to contend for the division in a more accessible AL West landscape.

  “At the very least, the Rangers need to make the playoffs for it to be a successful season.” — Kennedy [103:31]

• Competitive window is not closing, despite an aging core — the organization expects to contend throughout the lifetime of Seager’s contract.

  “Chris Young is not one to panic rebuild ... He wants to always be in ... the competitive window.” — Kennedy [105:36]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kurt on Brewers’ repeated projection-defying:
  “We kind of do this dance every single year ... we've doubted them before and they have thrown egg at our face.” [26:48]
• Kennedy on Marcus Semien trade:
  “I was actually at a Cowboys game ... and it really threw off my night.” [69:16]
• Ben on Chourio hype:
  “He is a veteran now by their standards.” [61:15]
• Kurt on the difficulty of defining success for the Brewers:
  “They are just so hard, they’re just hard to talk about sometimes, and it’s my job to talk about them.” [66:02]
• Kennedy on new manager Skip Schumaker’s arrival:
  “I’ve never gotten so many congratulatory texts for something that I had, like, nothing to do with … He does come as advertised.” [91:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |---------------------------------------------------|--------------------| | MLB.TV & Tigers offseason talk | 00:23 – 12:47 | | Spring training injuries & Red Sox/Devers trade | 12:47 – 20:09 | | Brewers preview with Kurt Hogue | 20:09 – 67:41 | | Brewers philosophy & projections | 22:48 – 26:48 | | Offseason trades & prospect discussion | 34:08 – 42:51 | | Player development (Chourio, Contreras, Vaughn) | 43:47 – 49:42 | | Brewers’ rotation and bullpen | 50:16 – 56:03 | | Christian Yelich discussion | 57:28 – 60:39 | | Success criteria & philosophical wrap-up | 62:26 – 67:41 | | Rangers preview with Kennedy Landry | 67:59 – 107:04 | | Rangers’ roster changes and catching | 68:41 – 73:49 | | Evan Carter & Wyatt Langford outlook | 74:26 – 79:11 | | Josh Young & Jake Berger struggles | 79:29 – 83:34 | | MacKenzie Gore trade and pitching depth | 85:16 – 100:39 | | Bullpen construction | 97:07 – 99:34 | | Nathan Eovaldi, depth, and rotation assessment | 100:39 – 103:25 | | Success criteria & competitive window | 103:25 – 107:04 |

Closing Thoughts

This episode illustrates how both clubs are approaching 2026 with measured optimism while navigating very different realities. The Brewers continue to trust their carefully tuned machine, betting on depth, development, and durability, while the Rangers hope that roster overhauls, a new manager, and a potentially revitalized pitching staff can capitalize on the remaining prime years of their expensive core. Both teams’ fortunes will hinge as much on their ability to develop and manage young talent as on the health and resilience of their established stars.

For more, visit Effectively Wild at FanGraphs, and follow Kurt Hogue (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) and Kennedy Landry (MLB.com) for beat coverage throughout the season.