—

Effectively Wild Episode 2448: Season Preview Series – Yankees and Cardinals

Podcast: Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast
Hosts: Ben Lindbergh (The Ringer), Meg Rowley (FanGraphs)
Guests: Gary Phillips (New York Daily News), Derek Gould (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Original Air Date: March 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Effectively Wild continues the annual Season Preview Series, focusing on two of MLB’s most storied franchises: the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals. Ben and Meg are joined by beat writers Gary Phillips and Derek Gould to dissect each club’s offseasons, roster outlooks, organizational directions, and expectations for 2026. The episode is a lively and candid deep-dive full of insight, historical perspective, and characteristic dry humor.

Previews and Banter

WBC Spring Weirdness and Naming Rights ([00:00]-[09:00])

• Ben and Meg begin with spring training banter, particularly about Team USA in WBC warm-ups taking on mostly full MLB teams like the Giants and Rockies.
• Light-hearted riffing on the mismatch of a “super team” versus a patchwork opponent:
  • “I don't envy Adrian Hauser or whoever has to go up against a modern murderers row here.” (Ben, [00:46])
• Case in point: Rockies vs. Team USA being described as a “cosmic joke” but, per Meg, “it's baseball. Baseball's weird. Maybe the Rockies will win.”
• Digression into spring training ballpark naming rights, sparked by a correction on Goodyear Park not being a corporate sponsorship, but named for the city—which is itself named for Goodyear Tire.
  • “That's one way you can get the benefit of naming rights without having to pay for them: get the entire town named after you.” (Ben, [05:14])
• CoolToday Park is revealed to actually be part of a private equity behemoth, much bigger than the hosts’ original “charming” mom & pop assumptions.
  • “We were briefly charmed by the name of that brand, but perhaps we shouldn't have been.” (Ben, [07:39])
  • “If you were making up a villainous private equity group in a movie... it would be the Wrench Group. That's Netflix Christmas movie stuff.” (Meg, [08:06])

News: Jerkson Profar PED Suspension ([08:26]-[12:56])

• Jerkson Profar faces another PED suspension with the possibility of a lifetime ban looming, leaving Braves’ vibes “bad...for multiple reasons.”
  • “He has one more PED suspension to go until he achieves the full Henry Mejia of being banned for life.” (Ben, [08:52])
• Discussion on the diminishing frequency of PED suspensions among MLB players and the increasingly tough-to-justify excuses for repeat offenders.
  • “It's hard to trot out the same excuse, because accident works only once really...Even then, it's, well, you should have been more careful.” (Ben, [11:08])
• Reflection on Profar’s legacy now likely being overshadowed by the suspensions rather than his on-field comeback.
  • “This is probably what he'll be remembered for. More so than top prospect who struggled and then eventually seemingly made good. Until this happened.” (Ben, [14:41])

Yankees Season Preview with Gary Phillips ([20:07]-[57:58])

Offseason Inaction and Roster Construction ([20:07]-[23:57])

• The Yankees mostly stood pat, resigning their own free agents but eschewing major external additions except for trades like Ryan Weathers.
• Gary Phillips says this perception is “fairly accurate,” and fans’ agitation at the lack of new faces is understandable, but the continuity is defensible:
  • “The Yankees had baseball's best offense last year...on paper, this is a good team.” (Gary, [21:20])
• The importance of getting ace Gerrit Cole back is emphasized.

Bonehead Plays, Fundamentals, and Boone’s Status ([23:57]-[27:25])

• Persistent narrative of Yankees’ summer swoons and fundamental lapses; Gary suggests lack of urgency may be the root:
  • “I do wonder sometimes if the Yankees have just not enough urgency when they're in the middle of these ruts—too much of a macro view...I don't know if I always sense that type of mentality from the team.” (Gary, [26:03])
• Perennial calls among fans for a new manager, but the front office stands pat with Aaron Boone.

Infield Alignment: Volpe vs. Caballero ([27:25]-[32:51])

• Discussion around new shortstop Jose Caballero and what it would take for him to keep the job over Anthony Volpe.
  • “I think Volpe is going to get a chance to be the shortstop again.” (Gary, [29:37])
• The organization’s mixed messages and the ripple effects of playing through injury (Volpe’s torn labrum) are dissected.
  • “[Volpe’s] metrics at the plate were a lot better prior to the injury...but defensively, the shoulder wasn't preventing him from charging balls. The footwork was a big problem.” (Gary, [31:04])

Outfield Situation and Jason Dominguez’s Future ([32:51]-[37:38])

• The outfield is loaded, with Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and prospects like Dominguez and Spencer Jones in the mix.
• Grisham’s QO was expected by the Yankees (“they did provide themselves coverage in the outfield”), but his future role is not guaranteed.
• Dominguez is slated for AAA playing time due to defensive struggles in left and lack of righty bench need.

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Elbow Watch ([37:38]-[41:42])

• Little left to preview with Judge: “He’s pretty good.” (Gary, [37:20]), but perhaps Yankees fans can look forward to Judge’s stolen base aspirations for comic value.
• “Every Yankees fan listening to this preview just broke out into a sweat at the idea of him going that much.” (Meg, [38:45])
• Stanton’s ongoing elbow issues: “He can’t open a bag of chips,” but will play, and his bat remains vital for balance.

Prospects: Spencer Jones and More ([41:42]-[43:36])

• Jones wowed in spring, but must cut strikeout rate and prove in-zone contact before pushing for a roster spot.

Cody Bellinger’s Fit and Rotation Health ([43:36]-[47:35])

• Bellinger “was not Kyle Tucker and commanding the salary that Kyle Tucker wanted,” and fits the Yankees’ desire for flexibility.
• The rotation remains strong if healthy—Rodón, Cole, and Schmidt are at various stages of rehab.

Cam Schlitler & Bullpen Evolution ([47:35]-[51:56])

• Schlitler refining existing pitches rather than adding a new one for 2026; MLB rotation slot likely.
• Bullpen is built of “flyers, projects, and lottery tickets,” with David Bednar as closer.

Minor League Depth and Abs Challenge ([51:56]-[55:25])

• Carlos Legrand stands out as a AAA call-up candidate.
• Yankees experimenting heavily with the ABS challenge system, identifying best zone judges among hitters.

Success Metrics for 2026 ([56:07]-[57:58])

• “I can't say anything other than them winning a World Series. Right. That is what fans have been conditioned to expect…” (Gary, [56:38])
• Still, Gary candidly notes the club needs a better bullpen, health, and a bit of luck to reach that mark.

Cardinals Season Preview with Derek Gould ([59:57]-[124:21])

Departures, Direction and Quick Rebuild Philosophy ([60:44]-[68:25])

• The Cardinals’ winter saw a major, multi-pronged teardown: Michaelis, Contreras, Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Brendan Donovan all gone.
• “Slim down the payroll, move to a younger model, rethink, rework, replenish the roster. Heavy focus on player development.” (Derek, [61:45])
• This is not a five-year rebuild; the plan is a quick reset with pitching ready soon and top position prospects staged for rapid ascension.

Haim Bloom’s Role and Collaborative Culture ([68:25]-[74:05])

• Bloom’s “gap year” as heir-apparent was spent overhauling player development and building infrastructure to fast-track his vision.
• “He wanted more of a free flow of information...less of a scout just filing a report...more going back to them." (Meg summarizing Bloom’s approach, [71:39])
• Bloom’s collaborative philosophy is now baked into the baseball ops DNA.

Attendance Woes, Brand Fatigue, and On-Field Inspiration ([74:05]-[79:43])

• Cardinals suffer the largest consecutive-year attendance drops in MLB, attributed to decline in product quality, absence of heroes (Pujols, Molina), and a stale team personality.
• “They kind of were like the sitcom that stayed a season too long.” (Meg, [76:30])
• Regional draw diminished; reconnecting with the fan base is now paramount.

The Next Core: Weatherholt, Wynn, Scott ([79:43]-[87:49])

• 2025 first-rounder J.J. Weatherholt is tabbed for the Opening Day second base job; he’s “a very polished, confident in control hitter with a surprising amount of pop.” (Derek, [80:11])
• Mason Winn and Victor Scott II could be elite defenders at up-the-middle spots—Cardinals hope for more offense, but even “just” glove plus speed could rejuvenate era-appropriate baseball in St. Louis.
• “It goes back to...what kind of on base percentage does he need to have just to be an everyday player, and is that the same as all of a sudden he's a star because of his speed and his willingness to steal..." (Derek, [85:36])

Gorman, Walker, and the Corner Bat Questions ([87:49]-[92:05])

• Nolan Gorman gets a reset at third; Jordan Walker looks to translate defensive gains into offensive progress—this is a make-or-break year for both as franchise fixtures.
• “If they want to be a part of this core, it's now or not...it's either going to happen this year with the Cardinals or they're going to be looking for it to try to happen elsewhere.” (Derek, [91:55])

Nutbar’s Health and Catching Depth ([92:05]-[101:31])

• Lars Nutbar’s injuries have prevented him from fulfilling his statcast superstar profile. Recent foot surgery brings renewed hope for both quality of life and on-field speed.
• Cardinals developing an extraordinary pipeline of catching prospects:
  • Ivan Herrera’s offense is real, but defensive progress and health are essential.
  • “If Herrera can be a reliable catcher for 60 games...that changes the Cardinals right? I mean, it just does.” (Derek, [96:47])
  • 19-year-old Ronnell Rodriguez already turning heads with his bat in spring games.

Arms in the Minors and the Strikeout Imperative ([101:31]-[106:25])

• Joshua Baez (OF) and Louis Gastelum (RHP, wicked changeup) are AAA-adjacent names worth watching.
• The rotation has lived with low strikeout rates for years, a trend that the org is desperate to reverse now: "Timeline for raising that strikeout rate is March 26th...they want it to be yesterday." (Derek, [106:25])

Switch-Pitching Curiosity: D’Angelo Sanja ([109:06]-[111:48])

• Cardinals still allowing “switch-pitcher” D’Angelo Sanja to develop both sides, though a right-handed primary role is likely.

What Success Means for 2026 ([111:48]-[115:02])

• The two tracks of success: excite the fan base (entertainment/youth movement) and emerge from 2026 with clarity on the core for the next contention window.
  • “If they end this season wondering who their next core is, they have their answer. It's not here. So success has to be that they've found it.” (Derek, [114:51])

Manager Marmol and Yadier Molina’s Shadow ([115:02]-[123:48])

• Yadier Molina remains an icon and is more involved with the club, but the org is clear it’s Oliver Marmol’s ship—for now. Marmol’s rapport with Bloom and the front office is solid.
• Recent high-profile PR/clubhouse challenges (Contreras/O’Neill) attributed to poor communication, but not insurmountable or solely managerial failings.

Memorable Quote:
“They were expected to live up to the brand without the brand name roster...When they were good on offense, they were thin on pitching...it just never coincided.” (Derek, [118:01])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On New Approaches to Ballpark Naming Rights:
  “One way that you can get the benefit of naming rights without having to pay for them is just get the entire town named after you.”
  – Ben Lindbergh, [05:14]

• On Repeat PED Offenders:
  “Accident works only once really...It's, it's worse in this case because those people was you. You were the one it didn't work for.”
  – Ben Lindbergh, [13:07]

• On Yankees’ Boneheadedness:
  “I do wonder sometimes if the Yankees have like, just not enough urgency when they're in the middle of these ruts, if they have too much of a macro view of the season.”
  – Gary Phillips, [26:03]

• On Cardinals’ Staleness:
  “They kind of were like the sitcom that stayed a season too long.”
  – Meg Riley, [76:30]

• On Cardinals’ “New Core” Quest:
  “These are not your Matt Holiday, Chris Carpenter, Albert Pujols, Yadi Molina, Cardinals anymore. These are your Mason Wynn, J.J. Weatherholt, Liam Doyle, Cardinals. Who are you going to be?”
  – Derek Gould, [113:39]

Key Timestamps

• [00:00] – Banter on WBC, CoolToday Park, and spring mismatches
• [08:26] – Jerkson Profar PED suspension, Braves’ camp woes
• [20:07] – Yankees Preview: Gary Phillips joins
• [56:07] – Defining success for the 2026 Yankees
• [59:57] – Cardinals Preview: Derek Gould joins
• [74:22] – Attendance issues and Cardinals’ waning allure
• [79:43] – J.J. Weatherholt profile
• [88:38] – Gorman and Walker corner infield/outfield deep dive
• [92:05] – Lars Nutbar’s health odyssey, catching depth
• [101:31] – Prospects likely to force their way onto the roster
• [106:25] – Strikeout (and fun) urgency for the pitching staff
• [111:48] – Cardinals’ 2026 success, two-track answer
• [115:02] – Marmol, Molina, and the manager situation

Final Thoughts

Both storied franchises arrive at 2026 with fan bases seeking answers: the Yankees aiming to win the small stuff after returning most of a very strong core, and the Cardinals looking to define the next core and restore their brand’s energy among their Midwest faithful. The episode features a memorable mix of statistical rigor, historical context, and humor—classic Effectively Wild style.