Effectively Wild Episode 2441: Re-signed and Resigned

Date: February 18, 2026
Hosts: Ben Lindbergh (The Ringer), Meg Rowley (FanGraphs)
Guests: Eric Longenhagen, Brendan Golowski (FanGraphs prospect analysts)
Main Theme:
Daily baseball analysis, with this episode focusing on notable MLB transactions, labor news—including the resignation of MLBPA chief Tony Clark—and a deep dive into FanGraphs’ newly released Top 100 Prospects list.

Episode Overview

This episode begins with Ben and Meg catching up on several developments around MLB—including late-offseason transactions, injury updates, and labor movement in the league, headlined by Tony Clark’s resignation from the MLBPA. The main segment features a stats-and-scouts-rich discussion with prospect analysts Eric Longenhagen and Brendan Golowski regarding the new FanGraphs Top 100 (actually Top 110) prospects list, with in-depth talk on high-profile risers and the state of minor league talent.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Major MLB News & Transactions

Timestamp: 01:07–03:59

• Tony Clark’s Resignation as MLBPA Director

  • This is breaking news amid “a developing situation,” occurring just ahead of crucial labor negotiations (01:07).
  • The hosts foreshadow discussion of the implications for ongoing bargaining and union leadership transitions.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Ben (01:37): “...this is big news, obviously, on the eve of bargaining for the head of the MLBPA to be resigning…”

• Active Padres & Diamondbacks Offseasons

  • Padres have acquired Herman Marquez, Griffin Canning, Nick Castellanos, and signed Walker Buehler to a minor league deal (02:12–02:29).
  • AJ Preller receives an extension as President of Baseball Operations (02:30–02:41).
  • Phillies had to release Castellanos, with the Padres signing him for the league minimum after trade attempts failed (02:50–03:10).

• Diamondbacks Re-sign Zach Gallen & Minor League Deal With Joe Ross

  • Gallen signs for the qualifying offer amount; most money deferred, meaning less present value (03:37–04:39).
  • Noted as a crucial piece of Ben and Meg’s annual free agent contracts over/under draft contest, with Ben emerging as the close winner:
    • “Just an improbable come-from-behind victory...the smallest margin in Effectively Wild free agent contracts over/under draft history...8 million makes all the difference!” —Host banter (05:46)
  • Ben on Winning (06:21):
    “I feel bad that this trivial victory...comes at the expense of players making less than they were forecast for...but I will say you were so obnoxious about your minor league free agent draft win last year that I am taking extra pleasure in this.”

2. Injury and Player/Culture Updates

Timestamp: 10:02–11:50

• Pablo López (Twins) Out With UCL Tear

  • The Twins outlook worsens after losing their ace to likely season-ending surgery (10:09).

• Bryce Harper & Clubhouse Dynamic

  • Harper is still publicly stung by Dave Dombrowski’s critical comments about his previous season.
  • Quote (11:36):
    • Harper (paraphrased by Meg):
      “The big thing for me was when we first met with this organization, it was, ‘Hey, we’re always going to keep things in house’...So when that didn’t happen, it kind of took me for a run...I know that [my numbers] weren’t where they needed to be. I know that.”
  • Harper says he isn’t “motivated by that kind of stuff” but, as Ben quips, “Clearly somewhat motivated by it,” referencing Harper's “not elite” t-shirt and visible reaction (12:50).

• Dodgers Spending as Labor Narrative

  • Both Harper and Manny Machado publicly offer support for the Dodgers' aggressive spending, which seems almost coordinated—possibly reflecting union talking points ahead of contentious CBA negotiations (14:03–16:27).
  • Machado Quote (15:13):
    “I love it. I mean, honestly, I think every team should be doing it. The Dodgers have figured out a way to do it. It's great for the game. Every team has ability to do it. So I hope all 30 teams could learn from that.”
  • Meg outlines how these strategic statements counter the “salary cap” arguments and help build a united labor front (16:43–20:18).

3. Rule & Procedural Updates

Timestamp: 21:27–29:36

• ABS/Challenge System and K-Zone Graphics
  • Initial hopes for the challenge/ABS system eliminating the “K-Zone” box on broadcasts are dashed—MLB is only requesting subtle standardization of the box (23:58–24:36).
  • Extra-inning challenges have new procedures: teams get an extra challenge if they run out (27:47–28:12).
  • Quirky rule: No pitch challenge allowed when a position player is pitching (28:31–28:35).

4. Wagering & Integrity Scandal: Emmanuel Clase

Timestamp: 29:36–38:05

• Update on Clase (Guardians)
  • Details continue to emerge about allegedly fixing pitches—a growing number over more games, including a confirmed postseason instance (30:46).
  • Ben voices concern about the “competitive integrity of the entire enterprise” and the league’s reliance on “a lot of people simultaneously having some sense of integrity or principle for it to all hang together. And that's unpleasant to think about because we know people...” (34:53).
  • Still-unknown: Why Clase did it, and whether he benefitted meaningfully (35:05–36:20).

5. Other Brief Player/Team Notes

Timestamp: 38:47–44:23

• Brewers sign Luis Rengifo (38:47) for infield depth
• Mike Trout wants to play center field despite injury history and age (39:06–44:23)
  • “He says he feels more comfortable in center…and he says…he felt like he was running more in right field...” (39:56)
  • Hosts speculate on balancing Trout’s preferences, value as a center fielder, and the team’s competitive reality (“We project the Angels to win 72 games…”).

Deep Dive: FanGraphs Top 100 Prospects

Timestamp: 60:21–106:10
Guests: Eric Longenhagen, Brendan Golowski

1. The #1 Prospect: Connor Griffin (Pirates)

Timestamp: 61:08–72:26

• Rapid ascent: From outside top 100s a year prior to clear consensus #1 (61:08–61:48).
• Comparable “meteoric” rises: Vlad Jr., Wander Franco, Mike Trout.
• Griffin is excelling defensively, added strength during the season, now a plus shortstop and “special in every way” (63:51–65:50).
  • Eric: “It’s hard to deny that he does everything well to like very, very well, including the defensive part of it...”
• Marriage at 19 signals maturity/early timeline.
• Debut expectations: Think Hanley Ramirez or Tatis Jr.—not average hit tool, but plus defense and power will drive early value. “A two-and-a-half, three-and-a-half win player in year one.” (70:54)

2. Tigers’ Draft Success: Max Clark & Kevin McGonigle

Timestamp: 72:26–77:10

• Both have mature approaches, advanced tools and are close to MLB.
  • McGonigle: “Highest hit tool on our entire list.”
  • Max Clark: “Chance to be a plus center fielder...really explosive hands...”
• Both are expected to debut soon (2026), with the Tigers’ 2024 draft potentially “resetting the entire trajectory of their franchise.”

3. More on Shortstop Talent Horde

Timestamp: 77:12–80:46

• Seven of the top 15 prospects are shortstops, many projected to move quickly.
• Jesus Amezcua (Brewers) and Leo De Vries (Angels): Both still teens but already advanced, with De Vries reaching AA at 18.

4. Pitchers on the Rise

Timestamp: 80:46–88:03

• Notably high number of pitchers on this year’s list; possibly cyclical, partly due to late graduations and partly to how few hitters can handle big-league velocity now.
• Eric’s pick to wow: Brody Hopkins (Rays), a recent conversion with huge stuff who could become a lights-out reliever or even more.
• Brendan’s highlight: Ryan Sloan (Mariners), for “three plus pitches, good athlete, plus command” (84:04).

5. The "Why so many pitchers?” Discussion

Timestamp: 85:28–89:41

• Though top position prospects are usually more valuable, the depth and injury risk among pitchers always means teams need more.
• The line between “backup big league role” and impact contributor is easier for pitchers to cross.

6. Prospect Fatigue: Ethan Salas (Padres)

Timestamp: 89:41–91:41

• Once anointed as a teenage phenom, injuries and underperformance have lessened hype, though the fundamental tools and upside remain intact.

7. Public Prospects vs. Team Lists

Timestamp: 91:41–94:09

• Insider perspective: Team lists focus more on finding “any shot at being good” and will stick with players longer, while public rankings tend to be more conservative and drop risky players faster.

8. Favorite Prospects and “Pick to Click” for 2027

Timestamp: 94:09–106:10

• "My guys": Carson Benji (Mets) and Bryce Rayner stood out for their electric skills and tools.
• Clash on Carson Williams: High defense, power, and youth but also a serious swing/miss risk—comped to Willy Adames and Trevor Story.
• Fast risers to impact MLB in 2026:
  • Eric: Brandon Sproat (Brewers)—“bet he gets back to being the well-rounded, heavy sinking fastball, great change up, upper 90s starter…”
  • Brendan: Dylan Beavers (Orioles)—likely solid, if not superstar, from day one.
• Under-the-radar "pick to click":
  • Bishop Letson (Brewers)—could be “Jacob Misiorowski 2.0”
  • Trey Gregory-Alford (Angels)—nasty fastball, potential to break out under new pitching development.

Notable Quotes & Light Moments

• “We want guys to make their money…But I will say you were so obnoxious about your minor league free agent draft win last year that I am taking extra pleasure in this.” (Ben, 06:21)
• “Making sure all 1200 plus players have a true opinion on this and a true understanding of everything we know is more important than filling it as soon as possible.” (Chris Bassett quoted, 106:34)
• “You can be honest about what’s going on. You can be like—‘That really pissed me off, I’m gonna prove him wrong.’” (Ben on player motivations, 13:22)

Episode Structure/Timestamps

• [00:01] – Opening banter
• [01:07] – MLBPA/Tony Clark news
• [01:52] – Transaction/Signing rundown (Padres, D-backs, etc.)
• [10:02] – Injury news and spring training issues (Lopez, Harper)
• [14:03] – Payroll narratives & labor relations
• [21:27] – Challenge system/K-Zone
• [29:36] – Integrity scandal: Emmanuel Clase
• [38:47] – Infield depth (Brewers), Trout/Angels discussion
• [44:36] – In-depth on Tony Clark’s resignation, MLBPA stability
• [60:21] – Prospect roundtable: Top 100, favorite players, state of prospect world
• [106:10] – Final thoughts, credits, and light outro moments

Overall Tone

• Smart, inside-baseball banter: Deep, precise, and playful as always; dense in statistical and procedural references, punctuated by self-aware jokes and friendly ribbing among the hosts.
• Nuanced labor discussion: Especially in the Tony Clark and Dodgers sections, Meg and Ben balance analysis, speculation, and a sense of the high stakes ahead.
• Prospect segment: Dense with information, full of enthusiasm, varied in level of certainty and risk, transparent about the difficulty in forecasting teenage or newly converted prospects.

For New Listeners

This episode is an ideal listen for fans interested in:

• Understanding MLBPA dynamics during a leadership crisis
• Recent offseason moves and their roster impacts
• Discovering which prospects might impact MLB in 2026 or beyond—and why
• The state of prospect evaluation and trends in pitching/hitting development
• The return of baseball’s favorite, most irreverent statistical banter

Listen for...

• The inside look at how players and staff shape labor narratives before CBA talks (15:01–20:18)
• What makes a generational prospect, through the story of Connor Griffin (61:08–72:26)
• A comfortingly nerdy debate on the practicalities of MLB graphics (23:58–27:43)
• The sobering reality—and odd motivations—of sport’s integrity crises (29:36–38:05)
• The annual free agent contract draft results—always a tongue-in-cheek highlight of Effectively Wild rivalry (05:46–06:21)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• “He signed for the qualifying offer amount...He got the same guarantee, but most of it is deferred now.” – Meg Rowley on Zach Gallen (04:34)
• “You want your membership to have confidence in the union...If the owners decide they really want a salary cap and they are willing to lose games over it, you are going to have to ask your membership to sacrifice and lose money to hold what I think is a very important line.” – Meg (53:50)
• “There are certain players who...just rise to it...when you’re doing it every day for longer than you ever have in your life.” – Eric Longenhagen on Connor Griffin’s rapid development (67:47)
• “I have so much editing to do and you’re going to grandstand, you’re going to Adrian Brody this.” – Ben, playfully ribbing Meg about the over/under draft win (08:47)
• “The field looks small for him...There are really great players. Jose Altuve has been, had an amazing career. He doesn’t make the field look small...Connor Griffin does.” – Eric Longenhagen (68:00)

Final Notes

If you care about the intersection of player development, statistical analysis, labor politics, and the ongoing drama of major league baseball, this Effectively Wild episode is a dense, insightful, and surprisingly fun listen. Be sure to check the episode page on FanGraphs for full links to the Top 100 Prospects list, the “Prospects We Disagreed About” article, and more deep dives.