NL West

The San Francisco Giants' front office makeover isn't going to end with Buster Posey taking over as team president.

During his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Posey announced that Pete Putila won't return as general manager after two seasons on the job and they will hire someone else for the role.

Posey confirms that he will work with a general manager, and that Pete Putila won't be in that specific role:

"We're going to hire a GM. That's going to be one of the first tasks right out of the gate. Pete (Putila) has been aware that he'll be moving off the GM role and we'll… pic.twitter.com/URPUdWpXAx

— KNBR (@KNBR) October 1, 2024

The Giants announced on Monday that Posey would be replacing Farhan Zaidi as president of baseball operations.

pic.twitter.com/HhuBNNL3f2

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) September 30, 2024

The Giants are undergoing a significant makeover after finishing 80-82 this season and missing the playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight years.

Zaidi took over as San Francisco's president of baseball operations in November 2018 after spending four years as general manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Putila replaced Scott Harris, who left San Francisco in September 2022 to become president of baseball operations for the Detroit Tigers. The 35-year-old had been working in the front office for the Houston Astros for a decade prior to being hired by the Giants.

The Zaidi-Putila tandem was most notable for the free-agent deals they were unable to get done. They reportedly made an offer around $360 million to Aaron Judge after the 2022 season, which prompted the New York Yankees to increase their offer to retain him coming off an MVP campaign.

After their pursuit of Judge didn't work out, the Giants were able to reach an agreement on a 13-year, $350 million contract with Carlos Correa. But that deal wound up falling through because of a failed physical.

Things didn't look as bad for the Giants after Correa's 12-year, $315 million agreement with the New York Mets also fell through due to the same concerns over his ankle that popped up in a physical.

The overall problem remains that the Giants have been unable to land a superstar player in free agency. They have also struggled to build up their farm system, which B/R's Joel Reuter ranked as the worst in MLB at the end of the 2024 regular season.

Posey, who has no experience working in an MLB front office, will be tasked with overseeing the Giants' baseball operations department. The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly did note that Posey, not Zaidi, "personally" worked with Matt Chapman and agent Scott Boras to finalize the star third baseman's six-year, $151 million extension that was agreed to on Sept. 5.

The 37-year-old spent his entire playing career with San Francisco after being drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in 2008.

During his 12-year playing career, Posey helped the Giants win three World Series titles. He was a seven-time All-Star and won the 2012 NL MVP award.

It was a tough day for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Their postseason fate was out of their hands heading into Monday when the doubleheader between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves took place. If either of those teams swept the other, then Arizona would be heading to Milwaukee for the Wild Card Round.

Instead, the worst-case scenario of the teams splitting wins occurred, leaving the Diamondbacks out of the postseason.

In reaction, the Arizona X account posted a series of sad emojis:

😔

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 30, 2024

😨

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 30, 2024

🥴

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 30, 2024

😕

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 30, 2024

The social media account was active throughout the day, even showing support for the Mets after they won the first game and had a chance to eliminate the Braves in the second.

#LGM pic.twitter.com/H4j2RrkgTd

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 30, 2024

It wasn't all silly posts for the account following the day's result, though, as the D-backs also expressed appreciation for the fans who stuck with the team throughout the season.

So many amazing memories from this season, but we know how much it hurts that it's come to an end so soon.

Thank you, fans, for your unwavering support all year long. We already can't wait to see you in the spring. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ixy6ynZkHZ

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 30, 2024

This was the sixth time in seven seasons that they have missed out on the postseason. However, the World Series run last season softens the blow a little, and the current core forming around Corbin Carroll shows that the team is trending in the right direction.

Arizona finished the 2024 season with an 89-73 record. It's the franchise's highest win total since going 93-69 in 2017.

The San Francisco Giants announced Monday they let Farhan Zaidi go as president of baseball operations.

The organization wasted no time in naming a successor, with legendary catcher Buster Posey replacing Zaidi.

pic.twitter.com/HhuBNNL3f2

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) September 30, 2024

"We are looking for someone who can define, direct and lead this franchise's baseball philosophy and we feel that Buster is the perfect fit," chairman Greg Johnson said. "Buster has the demeanor, intelligence and drive to do this job, and we are confident that he and Bob Melvin will work together to bring back winning baseball to San Francisco."

The writing was on the wall when it came to both Zaidi's ouster and Posey's promotion after a report from The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly on Sept. 15.

Baggarly detailed how Posey "personally dealt" with third baseman Matt Chapman to finalize a six-year, $151 million extension. The involvement of the retired seven-time All-Star, who joined the Giants' ownership group in 2022, came after their executive board "became so frustrated by the lack of immediate progress" between Zaidi and Chapman's agent, Scott Boras.

The Giants' ownership "did not trust Zaidi and Boras to finish at the rim," per Baggarly.

If the lead decision-maker on baseball matters no longer has the confidence of his bosses to finalize such a big transaction, there's no coming back from that.

Zaidi couldn't point to a lot of success on the field, either.

San Francisco surprised everybody when it won 107 games and beat out the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West crown in 2021. That was the only playoff trip the Giants made with Zaidi running the front office.

I am gutted that Farhan Zaidi will not be able to tell the press tomorrow that "we feel that we're making steady progress" by going from 79 to 80 wins this year. Why did you take that from us, Giants ownership?

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) September 30, 2024

It's hard to totally divorce the details laid out in Baggarly's report with the franchise's persistent inability to seal the deal with marquee free agents. San Francisco has lacked the top-end talent to propel it to a deep playoff run and failed to develop homegrown stars to make up for it.

The general perception of the Giants around MLB circles might change with somebody as respected as Posey in charge. The risk is nonetheless obvious when promoting a candidate with so little front-office experience.

https://twitter.com/dieter/status/1840801882211828171

https://twitter.com/dieter/status/1840803731052601370

The general goodwill in the Bay Area toward Posey from his 12-year playing career will ensure plenty of fans are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt early on.

Like every other high-ranking executive, he'll be expected to deliver results eventually, though.x

After a close race to secure the 2024 National League batting title, San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arráez emerged victorious.

Arráez recorded his 200th hit of the season during the Padres' 11-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, ending the year with a .314 batting average. He became the first player to win a batting title with three separate teams.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani nearly earned the first Triple Crown since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. He already owned the NL lead in home runs and RBIs, although his averaged trailed the average of Arráez by four points at the end of Saturday night's action.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 during the Dodgers' 2-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, finishing with a .310 average.

The race didn't initially appear as if it would be close, as Arráez was hitting .320 on Sept. 13 while Ohtani was at .290 (via Baseball Reference).

However, a strong end to the season nearly resulted in the Dodgers' designated hitter winning the first Triple Crown by a National League player since 1937.

In the 15 games prior to Sunday's contest, Ohtani recorded an extremely impressive .476 batting average. This included a 6-for-6 performance during a win over the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19.

The 30-year-old has exceeded expectations in his first year with the Dodgers after signing a 10-year contract worth $700 million in free agency. Even though the two-way star wasn't able to take the mound during the regular season after undergoing elbow surgery, he has still made a large impact for Los Angeles.

Ohtani suited up in a career-high 159 games in 2024, racking up 54 home runs and 130 RBIs to go along with 38 doubles. He also stole 59 bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to join the 50/50 club.

The Dodgers finished the regular season with 98 wins, good enough for the best record in the majors. Even though he wasn't able to win the Triple Crown, Ohtani will still be preparing for the first postseason appearance of his career.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched the top seed in the National League.

After clinching the NL West on Friday, the Dodgers clinched the top seed in the NL thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 6-3 to the Washington Nationals on Saturday. By securing the top seed in the NL, Los Angeles will now have home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

After Saturday's results, here's a look at the current playoff bracket as the end of the season nears.

American League

No. 1 New York Yankees, first-round bye

No. 2 Cleveland Guardians, first-round bye

No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Kansas City Royals

No. 4 Baltimore Orioles vs. No. 5 Detroit Tigers

National League

No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers, first-round bye

No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies, first-round bye

No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers vs. No. 6 New York Mets

No. 4 San Diego Padres vs. No. 5 Atlanta Braves

American League Standings

Division Winners

1. New York Yankees (93-68)

2. Cleveland Guardians (92-69)

3. Houston Astros (88-73)

Wild-Card Teams

1. Baltimore Orioles (90-71)

2. Detroit Tigers (86-75)

3. Kansas City Royals (85-76)

National League Standings

Division Winners

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (96-64)

2. Philadelphia Phillies (94-67)

3. Milwaukee Brewers (93-68)

Wild-Card Race

1. San Diego Padres (93-68)

2. Atlanta Braves (88-71)

3. New York Mets (87-72)

4. Arizona Diamondbacks (88-73)

---

The final days of the regular season won't be too exciting in the American League with the Yankees, Guardians and Astros already having clinched their division and the Orioles, Tigers and Royals previously earning wild-card spots.

The biggest race to watch will be between Detroit and Kansas City as it fights for positioning.

In the National League, the top three seeds are also decided and the Padres have clinched the first wild-card spot. The Braves, Mets and Diamondbacks are all still fighting for one.

Making things even more interesting, New York and Atlanta will play a make-up double-header on Monday, a final matchup that could ultimately decide their playoff fates.

Shohei Ohtani continues to break records.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star recorded his 57th stolen base of the year in the second inning of the team's matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Friday, setting a new single-season record by a Japanese-born player.

Shohei Ohtani just set the single-season stolen base record by a Japanese-born player 🔥💨

(via @MLB)

pic.twitter.com/ZcMzCC8xUs

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 28, 2024

The previous mark of 56 belonged to 10-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki, who stole 56 bases as a member of the Seattle Mariners during the 2001 season.

Ohtani's 57 steals are the second-most among all MLB players this year, only trailing Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

After signing a 10-year contract with a total value of $700 million with the Dodgers in free agency, the 30-year-old has been exceptional at the plate during his first season with the organization. Although the two-way star hasn't been able to take the mound since undergoing elbow surgery in Sept. 2023, that hasn't stopped him from making an impact for Los Angeles.

Ohtani has racked up 53 home runs, 127 RBIs and 37 doubles to go along with his 57 steals.

He owns a .306/.387/.643 slash line and has continued to improve as the 2024 season has progressed. Over his last 10 games entering Friday night's action, Ohtani recorded 22 hits in 48 plate appearances.

The two-time MVP became the first player in MLB history to tally 43 homers and 43 steals in the same season on Aug. 30 before joining the 50-50 club with an incredible 6-for-6 performance on Sept. 19.

SHOHEI OHTANI IS THE FIRST MLB PLAYER TO JOIN THE 50/50 CLUB ⭐️

LEGEND.

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/HP9cLT3TPw

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 19, 2024

6-FOR-6
THREE HOME RUNS
10 RUNS BATTED IN

SHOHEI OHTANI HAVE MERCY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VMJp9OqgjZ

— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2024

The Dodgers currently own the best record in the National League at 95-64, giving Ohtani a strong chance to become the first player with AL and NL MVP awards under his belt since Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson in 1966.

With Los Angeles clinching the NL West title on Thursday, Ohtani is set to make the first postseason appearance of his career.

Clayton Kershaw has not lost hope of a 2024 return.

The Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw is currently on the injured list due to a bone spur in his toe. While he doesn't currently have a return date set, he said that he is hoping to return soon.

"I'm not giving up," Kershaw said, per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. "I'm going to keep trying every day. Maybe it'll feel better one day. I'm just waiting for that day to happen."

Kershaw has not pitched since Aug. 30 when he left a start early due to issues pushing off of the mound. He said that the toe pain was causing him to "compensate" and that could have made him susceptible to other injuries. He then said that he expects to be solid once his injury heals.

"There's only a percentage I can throw without other stuff starting to bother me because I'm throwing differently," Kershaw said, per Gonzalez. "Whenever my toe feels better, I'm confident that I'll be good."

Kershaw has made seven starts in 2024, compiling a 2-2 record with a 4.50 ERA. While those numbers are not up to his lofty career standards, he remains an impactful pitcher and could add to a Dodgers staff that has dealt with injuries throughout the season.

Los Angeles is currently 95-64 and clinched the NL West on Thursday night. The playoff rotation will likely be led by Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler, but Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin could be postseason additions.

Whether Kershaw returns to the starting rotation or a less taxing relief role, the Dodgers will hope he can contribute to a deep playoff run.

The auction of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball will proceed after a Florida judge denied an 18-year-old baseball fan's attempt to stop the auction, per ESPN's Dan Hajducky.

Max Matus' lawyer, John Uustal, said the auction will still go live on Friday. However, he added that the judge scheduled "a full evidentiary hearing for Oct. 10 and that the Ohtani ball cannot be sold before that date," per Hajducky.

"The judge asked us to try to work it out," Uustal, of the Kelley-Uustal law firm in Florida, told ESPN. "We were asking for an emergency injunctive relief, saying, 'If the ball is sold, there's no way to put the horse back in the barn and make it disappear' -- and there would be irreparable harm, so, we want to maintain the status quo."

Matus filed a lawsuit against Goldin Auctions on Wednesday in Dade County, Florida, in an attempt to stop the sale of Ohtani's 50th home run ball, Darren Rovell reported for cllct. His attorneys say he grabbed the ball before it was "taken from him as a result of civil battery."

The sale is set to open for bidding Friday on eBay with an opening bid of $500,000, per ESPN's Hajducky. Bidders will be able to purchase the ball outright for $4.5 million until Oct. 9.

Ohtani hit his historic home run on Sept. 19 against the Miami Marlins in Florida. He is the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season.

The Dodgers star finished the record-setting outing having gone 3-for-3 at the plate with three home runs, 10 RBI and two steals to help Los Angeles clinch a postseason berth with a 20-4 win.

The lawsuit, as shared by Courthouse News, requests that the ball or any cash proceeds from the sale be held by a third party until the ownership of the ball has been determined by the court.

The complaint is filed against Goldin Auctions as well as Chris Belanski, identified by the lawsuit as the man who emerged with the ball, and Kelvin Ramirez, whom the lawsuit says has appeared on social media claiming shared ownership of the ball.

Matus told Rovell and Will Stern of cllct that he was standing by the bullpen door when the ball reached the stands.

"The ball bounced off the table, and it went under, and I grabbed it," Matus told Rovell and Stern. "Then the other guy had my hand between his legs holding my arm and took the ball from my hand."

According to the complaint, attorneys for Matus claim that he was "able to firmly grab the ball in his left hand, successfully obtaining possession" before Belanski "wrapped his legs around Max's arm and used his hands to wrangle the ball out of Max's hand, stealing the ball for himself."

In the best video of the struggle for the Ohtani 50th home run ball, it looks like the roughly 30-year age difference won out.

(Credit: Justin Walka) pic.twitter.com/mFl0GuXh08

— cllct (@cllctMedia) September 20, 2024

Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of the collectibles auction house, told ESPN's Hajducky the consignment was "one of the easiest ... ever."

"Ohtani [hits 50] on Thursday, literally Friday we heard from the guy, he contacted Goldin on his own through social media, flew a security guard down to Miami on Monday with a representative from Goldin, met him, flew back Monday," Goldin told Hajducky.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

It’s HERE. We got it! Presenting Shohei Ohtani’s 50th HOME RUN BASEBALL from his HISTORIC Game when he became the inaugural member of the 50/50 Club. ⚾️

This one-of-a-kind Baseball will be available in our special “Shohei Ohtani 50/50 Auction”, which Opens… pic.twitter.com/uIQviGUHdH

— Goldin (@GoldinCo) September 25, 2024

The auction house founder added that the decision to sell the ball almost immediately was in order to capitalize on the hype over the home run while the Dodgers were preparing for the playoffs and Ohtani was getting ready for a likely MVP award.

Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640 reported that the Dodgers offered $300,000 for the home run ball. Goldin did not confirm the amount but told ESPN "there was an offer by the Dodgers and he turned it down."

Should the collectible go for the private sale price of $4.5 million, it would set a new record for the most expensive baseball of all time. The current record was set by Mark McGwire's 1998 season 70th home run ball, which sold for $3.05 million in 1999.

The San Diego Padres are postseason-bound after missing the playoffs a year ago.

A dramatic 4-2 win over the NL West-rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday sealed the Padres' postseason fate, and the playoff picture is becoming clearer.

The game ended with Miguel Rojas hitting into a triple play after the first two hitters in the bottom of the ninth reached base.

GAME-ENDING TRIPLE PLAY TO CLINCH POSTSEASON BERTH pic.twitter.com/w2VmNQKWHw

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2024

San Diego became the fourth team to clinch a playoff spot in the National League, joining the Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies while just two teams, the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians, have clinched berths in the American League. The Brewers have also already clinched the NL Central.

As the regular season nears its end, here's a look at the updated playoff standings and potential matchups through Saturday's games.

---

Projected American League Playoff Matchups

• First-round bye: No. 1 New York Yankees, No. 2 Cleveland Guardians
• Wild Card Series: No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Kansas City Royals, No. 4 Baltimore Orioles vs. No. 5 Detroit Tigers

Projected National League Playoff Matchups

• First-round bye: No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers, No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies 
• Wild Card Series: No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers vs. No. 6 Arizona Diamondbacks, No. 4 San Diego Padres vs. No. 5 New York Mets

Current Standings

AL East

1. New York Yankees (92-65)*
2. Baltimore Orioles (87-70, 5 GB)*
3. Boston Red Sox (80-78, 12.5 GB)
4. Tampa Bay Rays (78-79, 14 GB)
5. Toronto Blue Jays (73-85, 19.5 GB)

AL Central

1. Cleveland Guardians (91-67)**
2. Detroit Tigers (83-74, 7.5 GB)
3. Kansas City Royals (83-74, 7.5 GB)
4. Minnesota Twins (81-76, 9.5 GB)
5. Chicago White Sox (37-120, 53.5 GB)

AL West

1. Houston Astros (86-72)**
2. Seattle Mariners (81-77, 5 GB)
3. Texas Rangers (74-83, 11.5 GB)
4. Oakland Athletics (68-89, 17.5 GB)
5. Los Angeles Angels (63-94, 22.5 GB)

AL Wild Card

1. Baltimore Orioles (87-70, +4 Games)*
2. Detroit Tigers (83-74) 
3. Kansas City Royals (83-74)
4. Minnesota Twins (81-76, 2 GB)
5. Seattle Mariners (81-77, 2.5 GB)
6. Boston Red Sox (80-78, 3.5 GB)
7. Tampa Bay Rays (78-79, 5 GB)

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (93-65)**
2. New York Mets (87-70, 5.5 GB)
3. Atlanta Braves (86-71, 6.5 GB)
4. Washington Nationals (69-88, 23.5 GB)
5. Miami Marlins (58-99, 34.5 GB)

NL Central

1. Milwaukee Brewers (90-67)** 
2. Chicago Cubs (81-77, 9.5 GB)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (80-77, 10 GB)
4. Cincinnati Reds, (76-82, 14.5 GB)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (73-84, 17 GB)

NL West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-64)*
2. San Diego Padres (91-66, 2 GB)*
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (87-71, 6.5 GB)
4. San Francisco Giants (79-79, 14.5 GB)
5. Colorado Rockies (60-97, 33 GB)

NL Wild Card

1. San Diego Padres (91-66, +4.5 Games)*
2. New York Mets (87-70, +0.5 Games) 
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (87-71)
   
4. Atlanta Braves (86-71, 0.5 GB)

*Denotes clinched playoff spot

**Denotes clinched division

---

The Padres' postseason odds were in doubt through the first half of the season, but they posted the best record in baseball since the All-Star break to put them in prime position to reach the playoffs after missing out a year ago.

The addition of Luis Arraez from the Miami Marlins in May gave San Diego a boost on offense. He leads the team with a .323 batting average and has also collected 38 RBI since joining the club.

Fernando Tatis Jr. missed much of the regular season, but he made his return in September to help the Padres make a late postseason push. Having him back in the lineup will be vital in the playoffs.

But San Diego could have a tough wild-card matchup if the current standings hold. The Arizona Diamondbacks have been right on the Padres' tail all season and will be looking for a strong start to the postseason to repeat as National League champs.

The Diamondbacks haven't looked quite like a World Series-contending team this season, but the same could be said of Arizona last year.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have looked like the best team in the National League, thanks in large part to the historic season from Shohei Ohtani. But the Padres are closing in on them in the NL West at just two games back with two more head-to-head matchups on Wednesday and Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

San Diego has already clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Dodgers with an 8-3 record in 11 matchups, so if the two teams finish with the same record at the end of the regular season, the Padres will be the division champion for the first time since 2006.

Deion Sanders is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and also played in Major League Baseball, so he knows an elite athlete when he sees one.

And he sees one in Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

"He's incredible, man," the Colorado head coach told reporters Tuesday. "You can compare him to the Jordans and Tom Bradys of the world. That's who he is."

"Ohtani is incredible ... You can compare him to the Jordans and Tom Bradys of the world."

Coach Prime has high praise for Shohei Ohtani 👏 pic.twitter.com/3nNyPTjEcS

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 24, 2024

Michael Jordan and Brady are on the shortest of short lists when it comes to the greatest athletes of all-time, but it is hard to argue with Ohtani's greatness.

He is well on his way to the third MVP of his career and is slashing .301/.383/.640 with 53 home runs, 123 RBI and 55 stolen bases. He became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season and did so in incredible fashion.

Ohtani reached the accomplishment Thursday by going 6-for-6 with three home runs, 10 RBI, two stolen bases and four runs scored in one of the most unbelievable individual performances in a single game that baseball fans have ever seen.

Sanders surely took note and had nothing but praise for the baseball star.

What makes Ohtani's individual excellence all the more notable is he isn't even pitching this season as he recovers from elbow surgery. He is also normally one of the best pitchers in the league and has a career 3.01 ERA in 481.2 innings.

He will become even more valuable to the Dodgers in the future when he does return to the mound. It is almost the equivalent of Brady being the best quarterback in the NFL while he is also one of the best safeties, which is difficult to envision.

Sanders impacted the game in multiple ways in the NFL as someone who was primarily a defensive back but also returned kicks and played receiver at times. So versatility is not lost on him, which likely only elevates his opinion of Ohtani.