Snake Bytes, 10/12: Championship Series time

[Dbacks.com] Rotation picture and more offseason questions for D-backs - 4. What to do about the bullpen? The bullpen was a huge strength for the D-backs in the second half of 2023 and during their postseason run to the World Series that year. Almost the same cast of characters returned for '24 and the results were, well, not as good. Paul Sewald will likely depart via free agency, but the club can bring back Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply, A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez next year. Do the D-backs trust that group enough to make only marginal additions, or do they need to get an experienced closer?

[PHNX Sports] Could Prospects Yu-Min Lin, Gino Groover Impact Diamondbacks MLB Roster In 2025? - Our favorite twins Stefan & Chris Caray join the show to talk about Diamondbacks prospects, Arizona Fall League, and more! Will prospects like Yu-Min Lin and Gino Groover impact the D-backs MLB roster in 2025? Can the Snakes fill positional needs with players already in the organization? We also have more on the New York Mets eliminating the Philadelphia Phillies and the devastating damage done to Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton.

[SI] Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 Player Review: Slade Cecconi - He's certainly a name to watch in the D-backs' farm system, though he's no longr considered a prospect. Cecconi likely won't be a member of the D-backs' rotation in 2025, and probably won't see bullpen action in the majors barring another slew of injuries, or notable improvement in Cecconi's game. He's valuable from a potential standpoint, and could factor into Arizona's major league club at some point, but likely not in the immediate future unless it's out of necessity.

[MLB] 'You dream of at-bats like that': Thomas' slam guides Guardians to ALCS - For the first time since 2016, Cleveland will be back in the American League Championship Series. The team will depart for New York on Saturday night to prepare for a showdown against the Yankees that will begin Monday at Yankee Stadium. “You dream of at-bats like that as a little kid,” Thomas said, “and to do it at this stage, in this game and to come through for the guys in the clubhouse, it feels awesome.”

[AP] 'Big Spender' is the theme music for MLB final four as high-payroll Mets, Yankees, Dodgers reach LCS - Playoff pairings bring to the forefront the question of whether spending equates to success. “Obviously, spending more gives you a better chance — you’re bringing in more players,” Mets reliever Adam Ottavino said. “But obviously it hasn’t always played out that way.” The Mets have the top payroll of $332 million, followed by the Yankees at $311 million and the Dodgers at $266 million, according to Major League Baseball’s latest projections (final figures aren’t calculated until winter, after all bonuses have been determined). The Guardians are at $109 million.

[Just Baseball] Who Should Win the National League Silver Slugger Awards? - Third Base: Manny Machado (SDP) or Eugenio Suárez (ARI). File this one under “Too close to call.” Eugenio Suárez was not good in the first half of the season but was absolutely on fire in the second half, finishing the season with 30 home runs compared to Manny Machado’s 29. However, Machado had the higher wRC+ (122) than Suárez (117). Machado also had the higher batting average (.275), OBP (.325), and SLG (.472). Still, Suárez led in home runs, runs (90) and walks (49). There might be a slight advantage to Machado here, but this one could go either way.

[CBS Sports] Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admits he used Manny Machado drama as a 'diversion' for his club vs. Padres - Roberts accused Machado of throwing a ball into the Dodgers' dugout with 'intent' during Game 2. Following the NLDS Game 5 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday that sent his team to the National League Championship Series, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made an interesting admission: he called attention to Manny Machado's throw/toss of a baseball into the Dodgers' dugout during Game 2 of the series as a diversionary tactic.