⚾ Playoff Pulse

• Mat disappointment with the Brewers’ and Blue Jays’ postseason struggles.
• Super teams,  like the Dodgers —super teams kill competition and fan excitement.

💰 Money, Mets & Moves

• Met’s payroll vs. performance and how poor pitching investments hurt them.
• Pete Alonso’s opt-out and Scott Boras’ pursuit of a 7-year deal — unrealistic? 
• Expect major roster reshuffling post–World Series 

🧢 The Manager Carousel

• A wave of managerial exits: Brandon Hyde, Bud Black, Davey Martinez, Bob Melvin, Ron Washington, Bruce Bochy, Mike Shildt, and more.
• Mark wonders: do managers have agents like players do?
• Mat recalls the Joe Maddon-to-Cubs controversy — proof that manager moves can get messy.
• Managers’ roles have shifted: more front-office control, less autonomy. Mat cites examples with the Yankees and Rays.

👥 What Teams Want Now

• Teams hire managers who “fit the mold” of ownership — compliant with analytics and front-office influence.
• Copycat hiring trends: clubs poach bench coaches from recently successful teams.
• Discussion of potential candidates & the shrinking number of independent skippers.

🧠 The Grind & Mental Toll

• Mark and Mat reflect on the stress of modern managing.
• Shildt’s comments about burnout and even gambling-related fan threats spark concern.
• Mark cites the case of Benjamin "Parlay" Patz, convicted for violent threats to Rays players — highlighting gambling’s dark influence.
• Mat draws parallels to systemic issues and argues gambling is eroding sports integrity and player safety.

🗣️ Manager movements

• Veteran managers like Buck Showalter and Joe Maddon may avoid returning to today’s analytics-driven climate.
• Mat suggests many could find peace and purpose in advisory or AA roles rather than MLB’s constant chaos.
• “Only one team wins each year,” Mat says — the rest face pressure, burnout, and endless turnover.

🔥 Key Topics

• Ban Sports Gambling Ads: restrictions similar to cigarette and alcohol ads, calling gambling a public health threat that harms families and communities.
• Fan’s toxic behavior—especially online—erodes sportsmanship. They suggest clear codes of conduct and real consequences for violators.
• Mental Health & Social Media: rising anxiety to impulsive behavior and online aggression.
• Integrity of the Game: risks of gambling-related corruption, from pressure on officials to potential hacking threats in AI-driven officiating systems.
• Postseason Highlights:
  Mariners, Brewers, Blue Jays, and ex-Rays performances dominate the October chatter—with nods to Randy Arozarena, Blake Snell, and others.
• Savannah Bananas Spotlight:
  Jesse Cole’s baseball-as-entertainment empire—now valued around $15 million and expanding to 45 states and MLB stadiums.
  Brett Phillips would be a perfect Banana.
• Neander’s Presser: Mat reexamines Erik Neander’s end-of-season remarks, reading signals about roster needs, hopes for moreoffensive firepower and new coaching energy while speculating on Evan Longoria’s potential return in a team role.

Find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark @  baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, @ iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com 
Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X