Ben and Meg banter about the Rockies reportedly hiring Paul DePodesta as their new head of baseball operations, another managerial hiring, MLB’s World Series ratings bonanza, the resurgence of the splitter, the Royals extending Salvador Perez, and more. Then (44:30) they bring on Ben Clemens to discuss his ranking of this offseason’s top 50 free agents, the strengths and weaknesses of the class as a whole, some notable free agents from Kyle Tucker on down, players he’s high/low on, and how the specter of a future work stoppage might affect this hot stove season.

Audio interstitial: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on DePobo

Link to report on “finalists”

Link to Colorado tax measure

Link to Passan’s Stammen tweet

Link to Tingler report

Link to WBC exhibitions

Link to MLB ratings release

Link to article on Canadian ratings

Link to MLB/NBA ratings comparison

Link to Sarris on splitters

Link to Andrews on splitters

Link to splitter usage by year

Link to Neyer on splitters/forkballs

Link to Salvy extension post

Link to MLBPA investigation story

Link to banned agent story

Link to Other Ben’s FA ranking

Link to MLBTR on Bieber

Link to Tango on Bieber

Link to Secret Santa sign-up

Link to Plot Hole or Not Hole

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