Ben and Meg banter about the slightly shorter-than-usual duration of the offseason, how big the WBC will be, and a few managerial hirings. After that (41:53), they talk to FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen about Munetaka Murakami and this offseason’s most promising free agents from international leagues, what we’ve learned about Roki Sasaki and the factors that predict MLB success for NPB/KBO players, and MLB’s winter moratorium on amateur scouting.

Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to manager hirings/firings

Link to most managers for one GM

Link to Rockies update 1

Link to Rockies update 2

Link to Ben on ex-player GMs

Link to Eric on IFA

Link to Ben on Murakami/Sasaki

Link to scouting moratorium news

Link to EW on the moratorium

Link to Secret Santa sign-up

Link to Plot Hole or Not Hole

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