Welcome to The Opener, our new weekday morning series here at MLBTR! Nick Deeds will take you through three things to watch around MLB, with our typical hot stove leaning.
As the postseason continues and the baseball world gears up for the offseason, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on today across baseball:
1. The World Series Heads To Philadelphia
The World Series is set to return to Philadelphia for the first time since 2009 tonight, with Noah Syndergaard set to take on Lance McCullers Jr. in Game 3. The series is tied 1-1 after the Phillies managed a comeback from a 5-0 deficit in Game 1 but were unable to do so for a second time in Game 2. With Philadelphia’s pair of aces, Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, unlikely to return to the mound before Game 5, the Phillies will have to rely on their offense, a well-rested back of the bullpen, and the boost of playing front of their home crowd to overcome the Astros, who won 19 more regular season games in 2022 than Philadelphia.
2. The White Sox Are The Final Team With A Managerial Vacancy
Following yesterday’s announcement that the Royals have hired Matt Quatraro as manager, their AL Central rival on the south side of Chicago is the final team searching for a manager this season, assuming Astros manager Dusty Baker is indeed asked to return for the 2023 season. Chicago’s search for a skipper who can help the team move past Tony La Russa’s tumultuous second run as the team’s manager has lacked the clarity other managerial searches this offseason have possessed. With one of the few known interviewees in Astros bench coach Joe Espada reportedly out of the running, the only candidates known to have received interviews to this point are Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol, who also interviewed for vacancies in Kansas City and Miami, and former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. White Sox GM Rick Hahn noted earlier this month that interim manager Miguel Cairo would be interviewed for the position during his end of season press conference.
3. Kodai Senga Eyes Free Agency
NPB star Kodai Senga has been expected to test international free agency this offseason for months now, and according to Jason Coskrey of The Japan Times, the right-hander has officially filed the necessary paperwork with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks to do so. Senga, who will pitch next season at age 30, figures to be one of the more intriguing options in the starting pitching market this offseason. With a phenomenal 1.94 ERA in 2022 and a four pitch mix including a mid-90s fastball and a splitter FanGraphs sees having “bat-missing action”, Senga figures to be given ample opportunity to establish himself in the big leagues as a quality starter, and at a much cheaper cost than the top flight free agent starters such as Carlos Rodon, Jacob deGrom, and Justin Verlander. That cheaper cost is due to the heightened risk in his profile, however; overseas players are rarely guaranteed to see their talents carry over at the same level in the big leagues, and FanGraphs notes that it’s possible Senga may need to pitch in high-leverage relief in the majors due to the relative weakness of his cutter and slider. Still, Senga figures to generate a great deal of interest among pitching-needy teams this offseason, and his free agency should be closely monitored.
It’s gonna be Ozzie.
Ozzie is choosing his coaches in preparation for announcement on next off day from World Series.
My guess…
It seems like it but if it’s Ozzie, why would you wait? You could announce it during one of the off days of the World Series. It seems more likely that they might be waiting to hire Kevin Long, Phillies hitting coach.
John Kappel;
You may be correct. Especially with that owner and FO.
But the Sox issues hardly call for a managerial candidate with expertise in hitting.
how about Abreau as player/manager?
maybe because Hahn views Ozzie as a last chance option. like if he can’t find anyone else, he’ll pick Oz.
Can always count on the White Sox owner to do the worst thing possible, so you are probably right about Ozzie.
Thankfully Jeff Wilpon isn’t around to be that guy anymore
Great feature, thank you!
A scouting report on the week ahead – great idea.
I think they are still trying to lure someone to take the job and Ozzie is the fall back. I don’t think Ozzie would be the right guy to deal with young millionaire Dominicans and Cubans as he would be mouthing off in the press. The one name that pops up occasionally is Eduardo Perez…which if he was interested leaving ESPN would make sense and be a great fit.
Sounds about right that this bad FO at least wants to see if they can land someone with no ties to WSox dysfunction before bringing Ozzie back. I really wonder if anyone has given guys like Giolito/Moncada/Eloy/Robert/TA some tough love behind the scenes. That’s at least something he could provide. Washed up vets like Grandal, Pollock and Kelly hopefully they eat some salary and find takers since they are all 1yr-locker room malaise needs more than a little turnover.
CwsAscension that’s like an all timer White Sox fan rant summed up in one compact Twitter feed character friendly post. You should return here as a recurring character, “here comes the grumpy uncle ” again
Yes…..
What the Sox need to tame an out of control roster of players is a guy that’s never managed anyone, anywhere.
Par for the course.
LOL
What they need is a do over of that entire organization, Forget 2023. Wipe the slate clean and start by bringing in a new FO that expects players to be prepared and accountable.
The chance of that happening…..
but there will still be Reinsdorf.
I hadn’t thought about Eduardo, but that makes sense. Up to now I have been touting Ozzie as the frontrunner; but having him as the fall back candidate also makes sense. Good post boxer.
Like Eddie Perez, knowlegable and great for the clubhouse as well. Maybe Chris Singleton back too in some capacity given how he got his first big breaks with the ChiSox.
what kind of experience does he have? I don’t know anything about him other than his work in the TV booth.
Good point, though having to prep for games every week and travelling to see most of the top teams (well maybe the Red Sox and Yankees on repeat) has to help. Certainly shows an intuitive feel for the game, comes with being a baseball lifer
sorry for stepping on your toes, boxer.
They’re doing the job interview during the press conference? Sounds like fun!
Chisox are not really going to hire Ozzie are they?
Yes
They are
tumultuous, lacks clarity, no sox fest and no word from the F.O. maybe ole Jerrys not interested in baseball anymore..
whoever takes over they’re gonna have to put life back into the team that took on tlr’s dour personality. you could see it in the dugout. the players weren’t having fun. they lacked energy, enthusiasm and looked like they didn’t care. I made yet another out with RISP, so what? I think they need someone like Ozzie who has followed the team the last few years and his observations are spot on. these bench coaches, let them cut their teeth on a team like the A’s where there are already low expectations. (sorry, Oakland).
Stros take games 3 and 4, Nola pitches lights out in 5 then stros beat Wheeler in game 6 at home
I have a feeling that Suarez handles Houston in game 4
That’s assuming the Phillies can hit Christian Javier
I think whoever wins tonight, wins the series.
What if they split the next 2. I could see if going either way. If Houston games 3 and 4 I think it’s over
It could, but I really feel Philly needs to take momentum back now to have any chance.
I’m not really pulling for either team. I just hope it goes six. I wonder if the Astros will ask Baker back if he loses to the underdog two years in a row.
Not me I hope dusty is on his way out no matter what happens. He refuses to play David Hensley over the horrible combo of Mancini and Diaz
Rained out…Suarez to start game 3, Nola #4,
Wheeler 5 and all hands on deck 6 or 7 if needed….thoughts.
Now they are saying Nola game 3 , which probably means Wheeler game 4 and Suarez game 5 and all hands on deck for 6 and 7
Lots of conflicting reports now it’s back to Suarez, Nola , Wheeler for 3,4,5
Make that Suarez,Nola,Thor, Wheeler, Suarez
Well, Joe Espada misses out again. And as I look at the hometown Pirates, a team with all kinds of young Latino players….they’re going to stick with Shelton. Sheesh
Nice addition – thanks MLBTR!
Addition or Edition?
In order to get over the top, the Yankees need to sign Verlander (2 year) and either Rodon or DeGrom. Then they might have a shot to go deep in the postseason next year.
Verlander
Rodon/DeGrom
Cole
Cortes
Montas
Can’t decide whether Cole goes 2nd or 3rd in that rotation. Montas gets buried 5th. German would be the 6th man, Schmidt the 7th. Tallion signs elsewhere. Anyway, that oughta do it. 🙂 George would have done it. A solid RP would be a good add, too. Without Judge they would need to add a RF, maybe Mitch Haniger. Not ideal because he bats R, but not a good group of RFs to choose from.
Doesn’t really matter, because no way Hal goes for it. He’s neither rich enough nor committed enough to the WS. He and Cash won’t get Verlander, Rodon or DeGrom. They might blow it all on Judge. They won’t add substance to the ‘pen. They may/may not swing Benintendi, who won’t really move the needle. Yanks fall in the ALDS. lol
Feels like, on paper, games 3&4 should be 10-2 Houston. Which means tonight will probably be 1-0 Philly lol
If only Dusty Baker was managing the Phillies.