Offishial News: Marlins minor league standouts; another MLB franchise for sale?

[Ely Sussman]

Today's news roundup also includes another notes from opening night in the Dominican Winter League.

On Wednesday out in the desert, OF Andrew Pintar, OF Kemp Alderman and INF Jay Beshears were all in the Peoria Javelinas starting lineup, each reaching base safely at least once. RHP Brandon White (3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 60 pitches/33 strikes) had mixed results in relief. Alderman was honored as the Arizona Fall League's co-Hitter of the Week. Leading 7-1 at one point, Peoria ultimately lost, 8-7. They now have a 2-6 record, which is worst in the AFL.

It was also opening night for the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM). Marlins minor leaguers INF Deyvison De Los Santos (Gigantes del Cibao), 1B/OF Troy Johnston (Toros del Este), RHP Elvis Alvarado (Estrellas Orientales), RHP Austin Roberts (Gigantes) and RHP Anderson Pilar (Gigantes) are all on active rosters. Johnston started in right field and went 0-for-3 with a walk in his season debut. Alvarado and Pilar made one-inning relief appearances, with Alvarado striking out the side.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 Alex Carver and Kevin Barral collaborated on their annual Swimming Upstream season-in-review super-pod. The first part includes analysis of key prospects from rookie ball through High-A. The second part of the conversation—covering prospects who were in the upper minors—will be available on Friday wherever you get your podcasts.

🔷 Additionally, Alex wrote about the breakout season of C Ryan Ignoffo, who had minimal experience behind the plate prior to 2024.

🔷 Jesús Luzardo and Anthony Bender visited patients at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital on Monday as part of a collaboration between the Marlins and AutoNation to fund cancer research.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is in "active discussions" with a group led by Dave Stewart regarding the possibility of selling the franchise, according to The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli. Reinsdorf has owned the Sox since 1981. He has yet to address the report publicly. The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the NLCS, shutting out their opponent for the fourth time in their last five games. Shohei Ohtani homered in the eighth inning to fully put the game out of reach.

🔷 Today's MLB postseason schedule:

• New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians, 5:08 p.m. ET (ALCS Game 3)
• Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets, 8:08 p.m. ET (NLCS Game 4)

 

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

I watched the Gigantes but missed DLS, switching over to catch a couple of Johnston's ABs. I recognized many names, including Jerar Encarnación and Starlin Castro. 

In the AFL, I watched the crazy Saguaros at Desert Dogs game. Glendale almost pulled off a triple play in the top of the 6th. There are no replays shown. I thought they pulled it off, but the first base umpire ruled the batter/runner safe by an eyelash. 

Regarding the two teams we know about for sale, the Twins and White Sox:  Maybe some of the old-timers are seeing the proverbial writing on the wall with local television revenue and the sure-to-be vitriolic CBA coming up in a few years. These two ownership groups will record astronomical asset appreciation and leave the headaches to others. 

 

[Ely Sussman]

4 hours ago, THOMAS JOSEPH said:

Maybe some of the old-timers are seeing the proverbial writing on the wall with local television revenue and the sure-to-be vitriolic CBA coming up in a few years. These two ownership groups will record astronomical asset appreciation and leave the headaches to others. 

Absolutely. Even if the league finds its way to a peaceful and prosperous outcome in the long term, the whole second half of the 2020s is bound to be full of "headaches" in the meantime.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

And how. These two long-held franchises are billion-dollar plus ROI machines.