MLB Rumors: What's the latest on Brian Snitker's status with the Braves?

Brian Snitker's status was in some question after the Braves lost to the Phillies in the NLDS despite finishing the regular season with 104 wins. That didn't last long, however, as Alex Anthopoulos was quick to come to the defense of his veteran manager. Frankly, firing Snitker after a historic Braves campaign would've been a major surprise, and one that could've set the franchise back for quite some time.

"I fully expect him (to return), yeah. Obviously, we talked a lot after the game and we're already talking about saying goodbye to players, see you in spring training and all that kind of stuff. So yeah, absolutely," Anthopoulos said.

FanSided's MLB insider Robert Murray doubled down on Anthopoulos' comments, suggesting that Snitker would not be on the managerial free agent market for long if he were let go.

"Besides, if the Braves ever let go of Snitker, he would surely be picked up in an instant by another franchise. Snitker isn't going anywhere. He'll be managing the team for the foreseeable future and Anthopolous will be the one making the decisions in the front office," Murray wrote.

Snitker is one of the more respected managers in baseball. Yes, his team came up short in a big moment, which hurts. Losing to the Phillies two postseasons in a row carries some weight, too, and Anthopoulos cannot sit on his hands this winter. Changes must be made, but Snit should be involved in those, rather than one of them.

MLB Rumors: What's the latest on the Red Sox GM search?

The Boston Red Sox need a replacement for Chaim Bloom, that much is obvious. Bloom wasn't cutting it atop the Boston baseball food chain, though he did help rebuild the Red Sox farm system and cut spending. Some of the blame for Bloom's downfall should be shared by John Henry and Fenway Sports Group, and the next general manager will have to deal with those same limitations.

Boston's search for a new general manager may finally be reaching its conclusion, as there are three known candidates for the job right now.

Kim Ng and the Miami Marlins parted ways after the owner tried to hire a president of baseball operations above her despite making the postseason with a roster which lacked much payroll flexibility. Ng will find a new job eventually, and Boston would be wise to consider her.

Minnesota Twins general manager Thad Levine has been with the team since 2016, and after another successful season has been connected to the Red Sox chief baseball officer opening. Levine has experience building a contender in a mid-market city. With Boston, he'd have more resources at his disposal and the chance to run the show.

Finally, Blue Jays executive James Click, the former GM of the Houston Astros before being let go by Jim Crane, has emerged as a potential candidate. Click helped maintain Houston's winning ways despite the loss of Carlos Correa.

There is no clear frontrunner as of this writing.

MLB Rumors: What's going on with Cody Bellinger, Cubs?

Cody Bellinger is a free agent this offseason and will demand a good bit of money. The Cubs have made it clear to Bellinger and agent Scott Boras that they want him back in the fold come 2024, though they'll have to compete with several other interested suitors.

"We sat down with him on Sunday and had a long conversation," Jed Hoyer said. "I told him, 'It's rare to have a guy come in on a one-year deal and have that kind of connection with the fans by the middle of the season.' It was really special."

Hoyer and the Ricketts family would have to flirt with the luxury tax line if they were to pay Bellinger and other top free agents their worth to try and improve the roster. It's unclear if Tom Ricketts and Cubs ownership is willing to do just that.

"Philosophically, we've shown a willingness to do it," Hoyer said. "It's both a budgetary question, but it's also just, we want to make sure that, strategically, you do it at the right time. And so, we'll have those discussions."

Philosophically doing the right thing and actually spending money are two completely different concepts. We'll see if Bellinger fits in Chicago's long-term plans.