Snake Bytes 11/2: Jeff Banister enters the chat

Arizona Diamondbacks News

[D’backs.com] D-backs hire Jeff Banister as bench coach - [Jeff] Banister managed the Rangers from 2015-18, where he won two American League West titles while compiling a 325-313 (.509) record. He was named AL Manager of the Year in 2015. Banister worked in a variety of positions in the Pittsburgh organization, managing for six seasons before becoming Clint Hurdle’s bench coach from 2010-14. “I love the intensity of the game,” Banister said. “I love the energy of the game. I love watching players compete. I know that Torey, he thinks, he’s pretty stoic about the game. I hope that I add some energy inside that coaching room, inside that clubhouse, that complements Torey and is completely infectious with the entire coaching staff. I hope I have the ability to carry his message throughout that clubhouse on a daily basis, give him a sounding board within the game. It’s something that I did with Clint in Pittsburgh that worked very well.”

[Arizona Sports] Alek Thomas, Seth Beer headline D-backs’ MiLB Organization All-Stars - [Alek] Thomas is Arizona’s third-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, just behind 2019 first-round pick and outfielder Corbin Carroll and 2021 first-rounder shortstop Jordan Lawlar. The 21-year-old Thomas excelled after a late-season promotion to Triple-A Reno. Thomas hit .369 with a .658 slugging percentage in 34 games with the Aces. [Blake] Walston and [Ryne] Nelson are the next-highest ranked D-backs prospects by MLB Pipeline at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. They were both drafted in 2019.

Around the League

[MLB.com] Fried ready to ‘leave it all on the field’ for G6 - Max Fried gets it, and he always has. He understands the situation, he knows what is riding on his left arm, and he’s not going to be overwhelmed by it all. It’s his time to shine. “I think as a kid that you just look forward to winning the World Series and contributing in any way,” Fried, 27, said. “To be able to be here in this moment, I am extremely thankful, and honestly, ready to go.” Fried will take the mound Tuesday in Game 6 of the World Series with his club one victory away from its first title since 1995 and a chance to be a postseason legend in Atlanta. Will Tuesday be forever known as “The Max Fried Game,” or will history throw him a curveball?

[Bless You Boys] Pending work stoppage could have a chilling effect on MLB free agent market - While owners are much more satisfied with the terms of the current agreement, players have seen total spending on salaries decline over recent seasons. Even though the status quo might favor owners in the short term, a robust free agent market is not something that they want to facilitate. If the free agent market is brought to a halt, there could be a stalemate lasting into spring training, followed by a frenzy just before the 2022 season begins. Any edict from the commissioner’s office to not sign any free agent players could- and should result in legal action to ban the moratorium as an act of collusion. A team- looking at you Tigers- could avoid the uncertainty by striking early on their free agent target(s), swallowing the fact that they will surrender a supplemental second round draft pick. Detroit doesn’t need to be concerned about the luxury tax, even if it were dropped to $180 million, and they shouldn’t be concerned about a $100 million salary floor. They might even find a player or two that also wants to jump the market and avoid the uncertainty of a possible work stoppage that leaves them in limbo all winter long.

[Yahoo Sports] Mets parting with acting GM Zack Scott weeks after DUI arrest - The New York Mets are parting with acting general manager Zack Scott, two months after he was arrested on a DUI charge, SNY’s Andy Martino reports. The Mets placed Scott on administrative leave after his arrest, and “he will no longer be a part of the organization” as of Monday, according to Martino’s report. According to police, Scott was found sleeping in his car at 4:17 a.m. on Aug. 31 near the White Plains, New York, courthouse. He failed a field sobriety test and refused breathalyzer and blood tests, according to police. He faces trial in December.