After several days of rumor and speculation, Tuesday afternoon the Washington Nationals completed a deal with division rival Philadelphia Phillies to acquire veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon. Specifically the Phillies sent Papelbon and $4.5 million dollars… Read more »

This week’s special guest is Russell Carleton, Baseball Prospectus writer and frequent Effectively Wild guest. He joins Ryan Sullivan, to offer his insights on the effects of “the grind,” the value of managers, clubhouse chemistry, drug/alcohol addiction in baseball, and advocating for women in sportswriting. This episode does not contain #GoryMath.

After a painfully quiet offseason for Orioles fans, on Tuesday Baltimore acquired OF Travis Snider from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Stephen Tarpley and a Player To Be Named Later. Snider will attempt to fill one of the spots vacated when Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz signed free agent contracts elsewhere earlier this offseason.

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Writer Alex Crisafulli talks cards with senior staffer Ken Maeda (content to take on a sidekick role here) and host Ryan Sullivan (not yet ecstatic from hearing of Scherzer’s signing). Then the trio talks Cards, as well as Angels, playoff disappointment, and Effectively Wild.