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.
Old York
I hope the White Sox and Marlins can find qualified mangers to help them meet in the 2025 World Series.
letitbelowenstein
Urueta does not strike me as “qualified”. Nor does Nevin, for that matter.
Old York
@letitbelowenstein
Who would be qualified in your eyes? Aaron Boone?
Acoss1331
You’d best believe the White Sox are winning 90 games next season. The AL Central is on notice!
Old York
@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…
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Now just the Dodgers and Spankees need to get knocked out of the playoffs.
Old York
@Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Don’t worry, they will. It just takes a bit longer to dislodge them.
draker
Former Angels Manager Phil Nevin
Manfred Rob's Earth Band
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!”
YaGottaBelieveAgain
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.
Joe says...
Why him and not everyone else?
poolerh
The saddest part about the Chisox is that they can improve over last season by 20 games and still lose over 100 games.
Acoss1331
20 games is optimistic. 50 to 55 wins at best is the high mark.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Chisox will probably keep sizemore just for the sake of keeping him
Old York
@sad tormented neglected mariners fan
He helped them win a few too many games last year. I can’t see him being kept.
ainteasybeingaphilsphan
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.
RunDMC
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)?
ainteasybeingaphilsphan
Dunno. But we’re stuck with him so may as well max his value. Not my money.
Tom
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.
Blackpink in the area
Lol Tatis isn’t available. Get real dude.
Captain Dunsel
Alternatively keep Painter and MIller and break the bank for Soto. Start at $620M/13 years and go up if necessary.
Blackpink in the area
Why not just offer Soto a billion dollars? That way you make sure he signs…..
Captain Dunsel
Read the market. The Phillies will need to outbid both Cohen and Steinbrenner.
TerryTurnbuckle
Only managers that embrace analytics should be hired. The game has passed these so called baseball men up.
wvredsfan
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
Blackpink in the area
Aiden Miller
Mick Abel
For
Ryan Helsley
Jojo Romero
Lars Nootbaar
PhilliesFan91
That is an over pay
Blackpink in the area
No it’s not.
TerryTurnbuckle
Funny how Phillies fan forget just how awful that franchise has been over the last 140 years.