MLB Season 23

[Dixie Flatline]

The Cleveland Guardians have ratcheted up their search for a manager by intervewing Cubs bench coach Andy Green, joining Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, Giants bullpen/catching coach Craig Albernaz and Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza among those who have interviewed for the role. The Guardians have also reportedly sought permission from the Milwaukee Brewers to speak to Craig Counsell about the role. Counsell's contract does not expire until the end of October.

This marks the first time that the Cubs #2 coach has been interviewed for the role of manager since joining the Cubs during the 2019-2020 offseason. He came to that role after being fired by the San Diego Padres in September 2019 following three and a half years in charge of the Padres (2016 through to September 2019).

 

[Dixie Flatline]

It has been reported that the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres have engaged in preliminary trade discussions regarding Juan Soto. Teams are currently prohibited from making trades (the trade window opens the day after the end of the World Series) and it is likely that the Padres will be entertaining offers from numerous teams if Soto is indeed put on the trade block.

The Padres are reportedly intending to cut expenses after splurging on free agents last off season (it is suggested that the Padres allowed Melvin to join the Giants was to enable the front office to hire a cheaper manager, given Melvin's reported $4 million annual salary).

Soto is up for arbitration this year, and is projected to receive an annual salary of $33 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility. This would make Soto the highest paid player on the Padres roster.

Soto started the season slowly but hit his straps in the second half of the season and finished 2023 with a slashline of .275/.410/.519, with 35 homeruns and 132 walks. He ranked third among batters with 500+ plate appearances in on-base percentage and 11th in slugging.

In comments made to reporters at the end of the season, Padres GM AJ Preller indicated that the Padres would seek to engage with Soto's representatives from the Scott Boras Corporation regarding a contract extension, but would not rule out the possibility of a trade should those discussions not be fruitful.

Sources: Yankees, Padres have had preliminary Juan Soto conversation

The Yankees have already had one preliminary conversation with the San Diego Padres this offseason about superstar outfielder Juan Soto, league sources say.

www.sny.tv

Padres weighing options with Soto after massive '23

SAN DIEGO -- With Juan Soto a year away from free agency, a crucial offseason looms, and the Padres appear to be keeping their options open with their superstar outfielder. General manager A.J. Preller -- who, on Wednesday, confirmed that he will be returning for a 10th full season in

www.mlb.com

 

[FreoRicci]

It has been reported that the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres have engaged in preliminary trade discussions regarding Juan Soto. Teams are currently prohibited from making trades (the trade window opens the day after the end of the World Series) and it is likely that the Padres will be entertaining offers from numerous teams if Soto is indeed put on the trade block.

The Padres are reportedly intending to cut expenses after splurging on free agents last off season (it is suggested that the Padres allowed Melvin to join the Giants was to enable the front office to hire a cheaper manager, given Melvin's reported $4 million annual salary).

Soto is up for arbitration this year, and is projected to receive an annual salary of $33 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility. This would make Soto the highest paid player on the Padres roster.

Soto started the season slowly but hit his straps in the second half of the season and finished 2023 with a slashline of .275/.410/.519, with 35 homeruns and 132 walks. He ranked third among batters with 500+ plate appearances in on-base percentage and 11th in slugging.

In comments made to reporters at the end of the season, Padres GM AJ Preller indicated that the Padres would seek to engage with Soto's representatives from the Scott Boras Corporation regarding a contract extension, but would not rule out the possibility of a trade should those discussions not be fruitful.

Sources: Yankees, Padres have had preliminary Juan Soto conversation

The Yankees have already had one preliminary conversation with the San Diego Padres this offseason about superstar outfielder Juan Soto, league sources say.

www.sny.tv

Padres weighing options with Soto after massive '23

SAN DIEGO -- With Juan Soto a year away from free agency, a crucial offseason looms, and the Padres appear to be keeping their options open with their superstar outfielder. General manager A.J. Preller -- who, on Wednesday, confirmed that he will be returning for a 10th full season in

www.mlb.com

Gross.
Yankees just pay max for anyone. Soto going there makes no sense.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

With the playoffs now reaching their crescendo, the MLB has released details of the eligibility for the draft lottery. In descending order of likelihood for the first overall pick:

Likelihood of achieving first overall pick	Club
18.3%	Oakland Athletics (.309)
18.3%	Kansas City Royals (.346)
18.3%	Colorado Rockies (.364)
14.7%	Chicago White Sox (.377)
8.3%	St Louis Cardinals (.438)
6.1%	Los Angeles Angels (.451)
4.3%	New York Mets (.463)
3.0%	Pittsburgh Pirates (.469)
2.0%	Cleveland Guardians (.469)
1.6%	Detroit Tigers (.481)
1.2%	Boston Red Sox (.481)
1.0%	San Francisco Giants (.488)
0.9%	Cincinnati Reds (.506)
0.7%	San Diego Padres (.506)
0.6%	New York Yankees (.506)
0.4%	Chicago Cubs (.512)
0.2%	Seattle Mariners (.543)
0.0%	Washington Nationals (.438)

The Nationals are ineligible for the lottery because teams that are "payor clubs" (clubs that give rather than receive revenue sharing dollars) are not permitted to be selected in consecutive lotteries. Since the Nationals were selected in the lottery last year (they ended up receiving the second overall pick behind the Pittsburgh Pirates), their odds are reduced to zero this year notwithstanding the fact they finished with the fifth worst record in the MLB. Additionally, the Nationals cannot receive a pick higher than the tenth overall pick.

The New York Mets, the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres, by virtue of not making the playoffs, qualify for the lottery, and would retain their selection if they receive a top-six pick in the lottery. However, if they do not, then they would have their selection moved back 10 places in the draft order because they exceeded the surcharge tax threshold with their player payrolls for 2023. If any of these teams secure a lottery pick, then their second highest pick would be moved back 10 spots.

The remaining draft order (pending the outcome of the World Series) is as follows:

19. Miami Marlins
20. Milwaukee Brewers
21. Tampa Bay Rays
22. Toronto Blue Jays
23. Minnesota Twins
24. Baltimore Orioles
25. Los Angeles Dodgers
26. Atlanta Braves
27. Philadelphia Phillies
28. Houston Astros
29. Texas Rangers/Arizona Diamondbacks
30. Arizona Diamondbacks/Texas Rangers

 

[largebus]

Gross.
Yankees just pay max for anyone. Soto going there makes no sense.

LOL they gave us all those prospects for less than 1.5 years of him. Joke of club they are if they trade him, always have been

 

[FreoRicci]

With the playoffs now reaching their crescendo, the MLB has released details of the eligibility for the draft lottery. In descending order of likelihood for the first overall pick:

Likelihood of achieving first overall pick	Club
18.3%	Oakland Athletics (.309)
18.3%	Kansas City Royals (.346)
18.3%	Colorado Rockies (.364)
14.7%	Chicago White Sox (.377)
8.3%	St Louis Cardinals (.438)
6.1%	Los Angeles Angels (.451)
4.3%	New York Mets (.463)
3.0%	Pittsburgh Pirates (.469)
2.0%	Cleveland Guardians (.469)
1.6%	Detroit Tigers (.481)
1.2%	Boston Red Sox (.481)
1.0%	San Francisco Giants (.488)
0.9%	Cincinnati Reds (.506)
0.7%	San Diego Padres (.506)
0.6%	New York Yankees (.506)
0.4%	Chicago Cubs (.512)
0.2%	Seattle Mariners (.543)
0.0%	Washington Nationals (.438)

The Nationals are ineligible for the lottery because teams that are "payor clubs" (clubs that give rather than receive revenue sharing dollars) are not permitted to be selected in consecutive lotteries. Since the Nationals were selected in the lottery last year (they ended up receiving the second overall pick behind the Pittsburgh Pirates), their odds are reduced to zero this year notwithstanding the fact they finished with the fifth worst record in the MLB. Additionally, the Nationals cannot receive a pick higher than the tenth overall pick.

The New York Mets, the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres, by virtue of not making the playoffs, qualify for the lottery, and would retain their selection if they receive a top-six pick in the lottery. However, if they do not, then they would have their selection moved back 10 places in the draft order because they exceeded the surcharge tax threshold with their player payrolls for 2023. If any of these teams secure a lottery pick, then their second highest pick would be moved back 10 spots.

The remaining draft order (pending the outcome of the World Series) is as follows:

19. Miami Marlins
20. Milwaukee Brewers
21. Tampa Bay Rays
22. Toronto Blue Jays
23. Minnesota Twins
24. Baltimore Orioles
25. Los Angeles Dodgers
26. Atlanta Braves
27. Philadelphia Phillies
28. Houston Astros
29. Texas Rangers/Arizona Diamondbacks
30. Arizona Diamondbacks/Texas Rangers

Oakland would be the saddest franchise and miss out on first pick.
St Louis probably will take it.

 

[FreoRicci]

Arizona really going after Eovaldi today. Pham just crushed a HR

 

[FreoRicci]

Eovaldi lasts 4.2 innings.

 

[FreoRicci]

Seager takes it to extras. Sewald blows the save

 

[Colloquy]

Arizona giving away a lot of walks

 

[FreoRicci]

Adolis Garcia walks it off.

 

[darrenmorgan]

I’m in Dallas as we speak, going off.

 

[largebus]

What a game! García is such a gun, one of those players traded as steak knives who becomes a superstar like José Bautista.

 

[FreoRicci]

Can Arizona hold on this time?

 

[FreoRicci]

Ketel Marte 18 straight games with a hit in post season. Nuts

 

[Dixie Flatline]

It's being reported that Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell has met with the Cleveland Guardians over their vacancy at manager. It marks his first official interview in the off-season, and he is expected to draw interest from a broad cross-section of clubs looking to find a manager, including the New York Mets and the Brewers (Counsell is set to become a free agent on 1 November).



It is anticipated that Counsell becoming the Guardians' manager is a long shot at this stage.

Nobody Asked Me, But ... Can Guardians land a ‘long shot?’ Deshaun Watson’s arm? – Terry Pluto

It may not work, but the Guardians are pursuing a big name manager.

www.cleveland.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Angels are one of those clubs looking for a new manager after firing Phil Nevin at the end of the season. They have been linked with former Angels players Benji Gil, Darin Erstad, Torii Hunter and Tim Salmon. None of those candidates have any experience of managing at a big league level, although Erstad and Salmon have experience as head coaches of collegiate and prep programs. Gil served on the Angels' coaching staff since 2022, and has also managed in Mexico. The Angels have also been linked to Buck Showalter (most recently manager of the New York Mets) and Ron Roenicke.

Bryce Harper made a commitment. His 'remarkable' bond with Philadelphia can't be broken.

Bryce Harper's relationship with John Middleton is one of the reasons the Phillies have become a juggernaut in the National League.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

After being eliminated from World Series contention by the Diamondbacks, attention in Philadelphia is turning to whether the Phillies will extend the contract of manager Rob Thomson. Thomson stepped into the role on an interim basis last year after the Phillies fired Joe Girardi and led the Phillies to the National League pennant. After the Phillies lost the World Series to the Astros, the Phillies signed Thomson to a new two year contract as their full-time manager. That contract will expire after the 2024 season and no club options were attached to the deal. According to president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies are yet to reach out to Thomson about extending his contract beyond the 2024 season.

Signed through 2024, Phillies’ Rob Thomson not concerned about a new contract

When asked whether he could see himself in Philadelphia beyond next season, Thomson said he “absolutely” could.

www.inquirer.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

More changes in the coaching staff at the Rays, with the Rays moving their head of mental performance Justin Su'a into a reduced role next season due to family considerations. Su'a has been with the Rays since 2018. The Rays are also looking for a new first base coach after Chris Prieto departed the club earlier in the off-season. The Rays have scheduled interviews with their Triple-A manager Michael Johns, their Double-A manager Morgan Ensberg and coaching/player development assistant director Alejandro Freire, though it is also likely that the Rays will interview external candidates for the role. Ensberg and Freire played in the majors (Ensberg with the Astros, Yankees and Padres; Freire played 25 games at first base with the Orioles in 2005).

Here are our suggestions for the Rays’ first offseason moves

Tales | If Tyler Glasnow is going to be traded, it would make sense to so do quickly. There’s also Kevin Cash, a crowded roster and the Wander Franco situation to deal with.

www.tampabay.com

 

[FreoRicci]

After being eliminated from World Series contention by the Diamondbacks, attention in Philadelphia is turning to whether the Phillies will extend the contract of manager Rob Thomson. Thomson stepped into the role on an interim basis last year after the Phillies fired Joe Girardi and led the Phillies to the National League pennant. After the Phillies lost the World Series to the Astros, the Phillies signed Thomson to a new two year contract as their full-time manager. That contract will expire after the 2024 season and no club options were attached to the deal. According to president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies are yet to reach out to Thomson about extending his contract beyond the 2024 season.

Signed through 2024, Phillies’ Rob Thomson not concerned about a new contract

When asked whether he could see himself in Philadelphia beyond next season, Thomson said he “absolutely” could.

www.inquirer.com

Surely extending his contract is priority. Still have a solid core. NLCS two seasons in a row

 

[FreoRicci]

Corey Seager loves World Series it seems. Two game winning HRs thus far

 

[Jeba]

Rangers win game 3, 3-1. Still haven't lost a away game but garcia was taken out in the 8th with a injury. Hopefully just a precaution, fingers crossed.
C'mon Rangers.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Max Scherzer spoke with reporters after the Rangers won game 3 of the World Series and told reporters that his back locked up ahead of the fourth inning. The spasm was unrelated to the batted ball that he wore earlier in the game.

This is not the first time that Scherzer has had to deal with back spasms, and the time Scherzer requires to recover from back spasms varies from a couple of days to much longer, which puts his availability to pitch later in the World Series (if required) under question.

In the meantime, Adolis Garcia will undergo an MRI to ascertain the seriousness of the tightness in his left side. He seemed to hurt himself on a bad swing, as he flew out to end the eighth inning. While the Rangers have not yet provided details about his injury, it seems likely that Garcia has hurt his oblique muscle.

 

[FreoRicci]

Max Scherzer spoke with reporters after the Rangers won game 3 of the World Series and told reporters that his back locked up ahead of the fourth inning. The spasm was unrelated to the batted ball that he wore earlier in the game.

This is not the first time that Scherzer has had to deal with back spasms, and the time Scherzer requires to recover from back spasms varies from a couple of days to much longer, which puts his availability to pitch later in the World Series (if required) under question.

In the meantime, Adolis Garcia will undergo an MRI to ascertain the seriousness of the tightness in his left side. He seemed to hurt himself on a bad swing, as he flew out to end the eighth inning. While the Rangers have not yet provided details about his injury, it seems likely that Garcia has hurt his oblique muscle.

Garcia out would change the complexion of the series.
Arizona need to win the next game. Pivotal game 4

 

[Dixie Flatline]