As the 2024 postseason continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1: ALCS Game 2:
The Yankees took Game 1 of the ALCS last night thanks to a gem from left-hander Carlos Rodon that saw him strike out nine Guardians across six innings of one-run ball. Now, Cleveland will look to rebound with right-hander Tanner Bibee (3.47 ERA in 31 starts) on the mound. It’ll be the third start of the postseason for Bibee, who already posted 8 2/3 innings of two-run ball with nine strikeouts and three walks against the Tigers in the ALDS. The Yankees will turn to ace Gerrit Cole (3.41 ERA in 17 starts) as they look to keep their momentum rolling. Cole has a lengthy and accomplished postseason resume with a 2.94 ERA across 19 playoff starts, and his performance in the ALDS against the Royals mostly matched his reputation: he surrendered five runs (four earned) in 12 innings of work while striking out eight batters.
2: Phillies end-of-season presser:
After a frustrating defeat at the hands of the Mets in the NLDS, the Phillies have entered the offseason earlier than they were hoping. The club will formally kick off its offseason later today with an end-of-season press conference where both president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson are expected to be available to field questions from the media. The Phillies could be in for a relatively quiet offseason by their standards with their entire starting rotation and lineup under team control for 2025, although it wouldn’t be a surprise if the club looked to upgrade in the outfield or address a bullpen that could lose Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez to free agency next month.
3. Managerial searches underway
While winning teams spend October focused primarily on the playoff push, teams that missed the postseason often spend the month focusing on personnel changes in the dugout and front office. This winter, the two most high-profile jobs up for grabs are managerial gigs in Miami and on the south side of Chicago. The rumor mill as been relatively quiet regarding both the Marlins’ and White Sox’ plans so far, though a handful of candidates have seen their names floated already including Angels manager Phil Nevin for the job in Chicago and current bench coach Luis Urueta for the Marlins gig. Whoever is ultimately hired to fill those vacancies will have their work cut out for them as the White Sox look to bounce back from the worst season in modern MLB history and the Marlins plan to rebuild their entire coaching staff from the ground up.
I hope the White Sox and Marlins can find qualified mangers to help them meet in the 2025 World Series.
Urueta does not strike me as “qualified”. Nor does Nevin, for that matter.
@letitbelowenstein
Who would be qualified in your eyes? Aaron Boone?
Whoever is dazed and confused (h/t to Led Zepplin) enough to sign on the crooked line will be the next Sox manager.
Joe Girardi?
Buck Showalter?
You’d best believe the White Sox are winning 90 games next season. The AL Central is on notice!
@Acoss1331
Very likely. Indians will get devastated by being swept by the Yankees and fall into a great depression. Tigers overperformed this year and will be a sub-500 team. Royals aren’t planning to spend anymore and the Twins are the Twins and they are guaranteed to collapse at the end of the season.
Okay… yes, I am wearing the rose colored glasses…
Sure, if you combine it with their 2024 win total maybe.
I hear manager Oli Marmol of the Cardinals and the entire Cardinals Coaching staff could be available for the right team.
Contact Fan Favorite— John Mozeliak — for details!!!!
If anyone has any doubt as to just how good they are —— just ask them personally!!!
That is if you can understand “circle talk”.
Or “hide and go seek talk” —- answers that completely avoid the actual questions that were ask.
(“Circle Talk” equals ——- The only way John Mozeliak knows how to address the press to cover his own rear!!!)
Now just the Dodgers and Spankees need to get knocked out of the playoffs.
@Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Don’t worry, they will. It just takes a bit longer to dislodge them.
Former Angels Manager Phil Nevin
The Phillers should just sign Brent Strom as pitching coach and Roger Beshens Football Slider as consultant. Beshens in ONE Month can have dozens of pitchers from Rookie to AAA throwing it at an elite level, while weeding out the ones that can’t. Too many organizations pussy foot around, this is the way it is or the highway.
It’s very basically if you don’t throw it, someone else will for you.
Reisdorf: “Those ungrateful, spoiled White Sox fans! They thought Grifol was bad? Hmmm…. how can we get worse? I know! Nevin!”
Jon Lovitz: “Nevin, yes Phil Nevin. That’s the ticket!”
Maybe the ChiSox (MLB commissioner’s office) need to absolve
Shoeless Joe Jackson of being in on the Black Sox Scandal.
Maybe his Spirit/Soul needs to find some Peace.
Why him and not everyone else?
YaGottaBelieveAgain: It’s the commissioner who has to look up the definition of “Lifetime” to understand that Jackson, probably the all time best hitter after Cobb, has served his penalty and should have been in the HOF since the early 1950s.
Because he had a 3rd grade education and made every effort to give the money back. Yes, he made a huge mistake and should be punished but not banned forever. Look up his stats for 1919 WS. Look like someone trying to throw the Series?
The MLB has no authority over the BBHOF. The HOF has chosen to uphold the banishments for the Black Sox and Rose. They could choose otherwise if they wanted. Also, the bans were indefinite, not just lifetime.
FoxDave just because someone doesn’t have much of an education doesn’t mean they’re stupid. He knew what he did. He took the money. If anyone deserves to have their ban lifted it’s Buck Weaver. All he did was not snitch on his teammates. But nobody ever defends him.
Actually it’s many fans who need to look up the MLB rules and realize it doesn’t call it a “lifetime” ban but rendering the player “permanently ineligible” instead. Permanently means forever, not until someone dies.
MLB, not “the MLB”. That’s like writing “I like to play the tennis.”
I’ve always been in favor of the Ted Williams argument on Joe Jackson – he was handed a lifetime punishment, he served that lifetime ban, and the ban should end at that time. Same would apply for Rose.
Is there a point to continuing the ban after death? It’s not like the punished will have a chance to relapse. I’m pretty sure a sentence until death is just as big a deterrent. What is gained from continuing the ban?
Ending the ban after death just puts the onus on the writers/BBHOF to choose their path.
I believe Rose’s was a “permanent” ban, not a lifetime. Permanent means forever and has nothing to do with whether the person is living or dead.
The saddest part about the Chisox is that they can improve over last season by 20 games and still lose over 100 games.
20 games is optimistic. 50 to 55 wins at best is the high mark.
Chisox will probably keep sizemore just for the sake of keeping him
@sad tormented neglected mariners fan
He helped them win a few too many games last year. I can’t see him being kept.
That is what is being murmured here in Chicago. And by the way, as much as national reporters are trying to trade Crochet, it isn’t going to happen. The Sox wouldn’t have handled him so carefully this past season if they were planning to trade him.
I’d be fine with the Phils breaking up the daycare. One of Stott, Bohm or Marsh would bring back decent value. Need less free swingers and someone who can put the bat on the ball and K less. I’d be ok with Sosa full time until Miller is ready. At least his glove is good. Speaking of which. Turner’s glove at short is overrated. Maybe he’s our solution to a center fielder who can hit.
Seriously, where was PHI thinking they’d put Trea for the long term signing a SS until 40? 2B? A 300M 2B, like SD (Xander)?
Dunno. But we’re stuck with him so may as well max his value. Not my money.
The Phillies need to do something dramatic this offseason. Turner was a good signing at the time, even if it was too long of a contract. He still has value, although I see a move to the outfield coming sooner rather than later. They should acquire a shortstop this winter—Stott should stat at 2B, and I don’t believe Bohm is a long-term answer for the Phillies at any position unless he develops more power without becoming all or nothing.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Phillies move on from Schwarber this offseason..with only one year and his production, he’d have value on the market.
The player the Phillies should target this winter—although it’d be very expensive both in terms of prospects (Miller/Painter+ to start) & money ($31MAAV)—would be Fernando Tatis. He’s an above-average to elite bat, a standout defender in RF, and still young.. AJ Preller loves to deal and get creative. I think it’s something that could get done and help both teams.
Lol Tatis isn’t available. Get real dude.
You don’t know that. I said Tatis for a few reasons. 1) Padres and payroll is an issue (they were forced by MLB to cut payroll this year, and Tatis’ contract begins to explode soon); 2) Preller is never afraid to make major, franchise-altering moves if he feels he can change the team for the better; 3) The Padres have not achieved their ultimate goal (just like the Phillies) so they won’t to stand pat
Does that mean they’ll move Tatis? Not for certainty, but I don’t believe he’s 100% off the table..
He’s 100% not available…….
How do you know this?
they don’t need Tatis Jr even though I would take him in a heartbeat. The phillies need a hitter like Luis Arrez.
Luis Arras doesn’t move the needle. I get the interest…he makes contact and the Phillies struck out a lot and it was one of the bigger reasons why they failed. But Arraz making contact doesn’t really do anything for the hitters before or after him. An impact bat like Tatis would make the lineup deeper.
Alternatively keep Painter and MIller and break the bank for Soto. Start at $620M/13 years and go up if necessary.
Why not just offer Soto a billion dollars? That way you make sure he signs…..
Read the market. The Phillies will need to outbid both Cohen and Steinbrenner.
The Phillies aren’t outbidding the Yankees and Mets. The Yankees generate considerable more revenues than the Phillies, and need Soto more. The Mets have a wildcard in an owner who is richer than nearly anyone else in the sport, has more than $100M coming off his books, and likes to make a splash. Also, they may win the World Series and nothing would be better than sticking it to the Yankees twice over in the same season..
Don’t see the Phillies getting Soto, and at their luxury tax level, he’d cost them more than double his contract.
“Stupid money” Middleton can absolutely outbid the NY teams if he wants to. The Phillies also have significant money coming off the books soon in Schwarber, Casty, Walker, and JT. The fan bade can make a difference, too.
Didn’t say “couldn’t” I said they aren’t going to. Outbidding the NY teams for Soto would likely cost the Phillies $130mm in payroll just for Soto alone. It would likely push their actual payroll into the $400mm+ range. Don’t see it happening unless they make significant moves before, and doubt there’s enough time.
I don’t see Soto leaving the Yankees. I think he already has a deal in mind and Steinbrenner will pay it. Soto has been a great fit with the Yanks and I actually think he’s happy in NY.
I love the “sticking it to the Yankees twice over”
Actually the Mets have something like 174 million coming off the books, but I don’t expect them to put it right back on again. They need to sign some of their starting pitching entering free agency and, possibly, Pete Alonso.
They’ll probably make a run at Soto, but they’ll need to balance that with players ready to start their careers. They don’t have the deepest minor league system, but they have a few players ready to make their debuts next year or in 2026.
In any event, I have confidence that the future Met teams will be extremely competitive with the Braves and Phillies. The 2024 team has killed the #LOLMets for good.
Phillies were the best team in the NL for most of the year, the Mets just had the MOJO !
Not to slam the Phillies, who are an excellent team, but the Mets had the best record in baseball since the end of May. To those who think the Mets just got hot, they’ve been hot for 2/3 of a season.
Met fans (and open-minded baseball fans) are being treated to a genuinely likeable team (okay, maybe sans Winker) who have supported each other and played every game with a plan. Regardless how far they progress in the playoffs, they earned this.
The Mets definitely played very well throughout most of the season, but I still felt (and feel) the Phillies were better, they just got beat. It has nothing to do with the schedule or off days, bad calls by umpires, or any other excuse….the fact is the Mets showed up in the series ready to play and played their best and they beat the Phillies on the field where it matters. Good for them.
However, as a Phillies fan, there is nothing likable about the Mets. Other than the Phillies winning the World Series, nothing would please me more in baseball than watching the Mets lose 162 a year.
Only managers that embrace analytics should be hired. The game has passed these so called baseball men up.
the Phillies are in a tough spot… the everyday lineup & starting pitching is good enough to gain a playoff spot… but the team has weaknesses (bottom of the batting order, bullpen) and how do the Phillies fix the weaknesses with their already high payroll? it’s gonna be interesting to see their moves
Aiden Miller
Mick Abel
For
Ryan Helsley
Jojo Romero
Lars Nootbaar
That is an over pay
No it’s not.
Why is this clown replying to my comments when I can’t reply to his?
Whst closer with years of control is available? I will hang up and listen chief.
It’s not a terrible package but I don’t like this specific use of resources. Nootbaar is an okay player. Maybe 10% above league average offensively and not a standout or anything defensively. Don’t think he moves the needle much.
Romero’s been in Philly before. He’s okay. Helsley had an excellent season and is a good closer but I have a hard time committing significant resources to a position that is so fickle.. A great closer can mess up three times per year and blow the season.
If the Phillies are trading either of Miller or Painter, I think they should get back a very good everyday player, not another Brandon Marsh.
Nootbaar is 15% above average as a hitter and a plus defender.
Romero is better now than he was when he was a Philly. Helsley is good and you aren’t committing huge resourced to him he’s a soon to be free agent.
Hey maybe the Phillies raise payroll by another 50 million. Assuming they don’t do that they will have to trade young talent to keep their window open.
So Nootbar is not elite, just slightly above average. And a “plus” defender. He’s Brandon Marsh, although Marsh grades out as a better outfielder.
Resources are more than just payroll and free agency. This deal would be sending their best position player prospect for a mid-level OF and two RPs. It’s not the best allocation of resources.
**I have no desire to hoard prospects and think that, for the most part, they should be used to acquire major league talent, but if they’re trading Miller, they should be getting back a better everyday player than Nootbaar.
Nootbaar is a good player. So is Marsh.
How much would Nootbaar, a stud closer and a quality set up guy cost in free agency? More than the Phillies have to spend is my guess. Part of what makes all 3 guys valuable is they are arbitration eligible players and therefore underpaid.
But the problem is this isn’t making the team better. Nootbaar is not a needle mover, and you should never trade your best prospects for relief pitchers..
After the past three seasons, the Phillies need to do more than just maintain the status quo at a lower price…they need to aim higher.
Nootbaar would be a huge improvement over Castellanos or some other corner outfielder. Helsley is a stud. Romero is a good reliever. Those guys would clearly make the Phillies better. Clearly.
Not a HUGE improvement. He’s a decent upgrade over Castellanos but not huge. As for the relievers….the bullpen wasn’t the Phillies biggest weakness this year, and Romero/Helsley are not so much better than Hoffman/Estevez. (Yes, they both blew up in the postseason but that leads to my other point…relief pitching can blow at any time. Even the best, and when they do, it can cost you a season. Doesn’t make sense to me to trade valuable assets—that can be used in better trades—for relievers.)
Dude you suggested trading for Tatis earlier and that’s never happening. I am suggesting a realistic trade proposal. The Phillies window is closing they can either make trades like the one I suggested or just age gracefully.
Why is it never happening? Other than just saying “he’s not available” give reasons why they wouldn’t. I don’t think they will, but they could—and I gave reasons why.
I’d rather see the Phillies made trades that have impact, not trades that keep the status quo, which is how I view the proposal you posted.
Getting perhaps the best closer in the game and a 3 win outfielder makes the Phillies better it doesn’t keep the status quo. That’s a silly statement
Tatis isn’t available. The Padres are trying to win in 2025. Hes one of the best players in the game why the heck would the Padres trade him???
Hopefully the Phillies do nothing and fade into obscurity. Tired of these teams who spend like idiots and their spoiled fan bases.
Clase is the best closer in baseball and even he coughed up big leads in the postseason. Don’t think a closer is a game-changer for a team that already has the talent to win 95 games.
As for the 3-win player…Brandon Marsh is a 3 win player. Is he a needle mover for a team that wants to win the World Series? No. He’s a nice piece but not a difference maker, and either is Nootbaar.
I never said the Padres weren’t trying to win; in fact, I did stress that their GM (Preller) is extremely aggressive and creative, and makes moves that very few other GMs do in the name of trying to improve their team. Do I think he would actively shop Tatis? Nope, not in a million years. I’d put the chances less than 20% that he even considers moving him. But I can see a scenario where he and other teams (perhaps the Phillies and others) put together a creative scenario where he moves a player like Tatis.
The Padres have tried to win with Tatis. They’ve tried to win with Juan Soto and Blake Snell and the list goes on. Preller continually changes the structure of his team when it doesn’t work, and so far it hasn’t. Preller is probably the most creative GM in the game, so I don’t put anything off-limits for him or the Padres.
Deal one of those pitching prospects for a controllable, proven closer. MIL Devin Williams & STL Helsley are controllable only 1 more year (they can afford to extend them). There’s enough options that PHI shouldn’t be bargain-basement shopping for closers like they’ve been doing. Make OAK a deal they can’t refuse for Mason Miller. Alexis Diaz could be available at the right price.
Closer is not the Phillies biggest need, nor should be where they commit significant prospect resources to get. Even the best closers have bad days and when they do, the results for the team are devastating. (A position player having a bad day—strikes out 5 times, makes 2 errors, etc.—might impact the game, but a great closer who gives up a 3 run homer in the 9th usually costs his team the game.)
Mason Miller is the hot name because of his velocity…who cares? Craig Kimbrel had better overall numbers at the same point in his career, and he was never the difference between winning and losing a championship.
The Phillies need to focus on a few things this offseason:
1) They need another bat—someone who can actually hit and not just a streaky hitter who gets hot (and then extremely cold). It’ll probably be an outfielder.
2) They need a catcher to pair with JT who can play 50-60 games and provide decent production, both behind and at the plate.
3) Bullpen—keep Hoffman, see what the market is for Estevez, add another couple of arms
4) Bench depth — have a decent start (Sosa, Clemens, Wilson) but need at least one more in addition to the catcher.
Funny how Phillies fan forget just how awful that franchise has been over the last 140 years.
Interesting interview on BR with Dave Roberts crying about how Ohtani just wasn’t comfortable in game 2. Maybe a hot cup of cocoa and his favorite blankey will relax him enough for game 3.
You mad bro?
Ohtani just needs to place a couple good bets offshore and he’ll feel better. It’s worked for a couple years now.