Going to LAAA in 2018 - Shohei Ohtani
- Thread starter Tokyo Sox
- Start date
There is a Morosi tweet out there that says multiple MLB execs thinks Otani does NOT want to go to a team with a Japanese star.
Otani’s camp has not commented.
Let’s hope.
Otani’s camp has not commented.
Let’s hope.
What's also important to note is WHY: the sources claim it's because he doesn't want to be compared to previous Japanese stars on those teams.
But the truth is, no matter who he signs with, comparisons to Tanaka, Daisuke, Ichiro, Matsui, and Darvish are inevitable. Playing for the Padres or the Blue Jays won't change that.
I have to believe he'll want to win; he'll want to play with a club in a city he can build a life and be comfortable in, and for a team that is invested in winning now, and not in a team building for the future.
All that said, he's been silent himself on the subject of what he is looking for in an MLB team, so it's really anyone's guess. I can't say I particularly trust the word of anonymous MLB execs.
Am I the only person to find out that Ohtani is playing baseball right now on mlbn? (Tape of Team Japan v. mlb)
Jeff PassanVerified account @JeffPassan 22m22 minutes ago
Sources: The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes is kicking into overdrive. He has started scheduling meetings with teams in Los Angeles next week.
Sources: The Seattle Mariners have asked multiple players to clear their schedules from Tuesday through Friday next week to potentially come to Los Angeles for a meeting with Shohei Ohtani.
It is clear, from officials around the game, that they are pulling out all stops to recruit Ohtani. Which is obvious, yes, but what strikes me is the different approaches. Some teams want to keep low-key. Others are planning on pulling out all stops.
It speaks to the fact that there is no consensus on how to appeal to Ohtani’s personality. The entire process has been so shrouded in mystery that some teams feel like they’re still flying blind and just making their best guess. Others are more confident.
Either way, the Ohtani recruitment is unlike anything I’ve seen covering baseball for almost 15 years. Unique player, unique circumstances, unique approaches. Speaks to value for potentially elite player who will cost only $20M to sign, make near-minimum for the next three years.
The one constant among sources discussing Ohtani: A fear of the New York Yankees. It’s not just the team they have and the market they’re in. There’s a longstanding relationship between the Yankees and Ohtani’s agency, CAA, that worries competitors.
Sources: The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes is kicking into overdrive. He has started scheduling meetings with teams in Los Angeles next week.
Sources: The Seattle Mariners have asked multiple players to clear their schedules from Tuesday through Friday next week to potentially come to Los Angeles for a meeting with Shohei Ohtani.
It is clear, from officials around the game, that they are pulling out all stops to recruit Ohtani. Which is obvious, yes, but what strikes me is the different approaches. Some teams want to keep low-key. Others are planning on pulling out all stops.
It speaks to the fact that there is no consensus on how to appeal to Ohtani’s personality. The entire process has been so shrouded in mystery that some teams feel like they’re still flying blind and just making their best guess. Others are more confident.
Either way, the Ohtani recruitment is unlike anything I’ve seen covering baseball for almost 15 years. Unique player, unique circumstances, unique approaches. Speaks to value for potentially elite player who will cost only $20M to sign, make near-minimum for the next three years.
The one constant among sources discussing Ohtani: A fear of the New York Yankees. It’s not just the team they have and the market they’re in. There’s a longstanding relationship between the Yankees and Ohtani’s agency, CAA, that worries competitors.
so the Mariners are doing an all-out Durant/Hayward type pitch? wonder if other teams will do the same?
I'd offer to give him a Harper like deal after ST where he makes 3 million a year for his pre-arb years. Harper got his 9.9 million deal after 45 PA in the AzFl.
I'd also discuss parameters of an extension based on multiple performance scenarios to let him know the pot at the end of the rainbow is close
I'd offer a handshake agreement that he could be traded to one of three teams (his top 3) after 3 years as insurance if things did not work out for him in Boston. Obviously this would not be part of the contract and thus not enforceable under the CBA but teams generally value reputations with players.
I do fear the lack of a competitive bonus, modern park/facilities, his being a LHBer in a park death to LH pull hitters (not sure that he is) and a park that turns routine FB by RHH into doubles wont help, plus what appears to be poor media/player relations, making 5 starts a year against the Yankee Bombers, and even Logan Airport will all work against them.
I think he is a Yankee next year unless Cashman totally blows it
Terminal E, where the JAL BOS/NRT direct flight goes in & out of, is by far the most painless part of Logan.
Harper signed a Major League deal after being drafted #1 overall before the last CBA took Major League deals away from the draft. Signing Otani to any deal like this before he played in the league would definitely be seen as circumventing the rules.
Here's a good article explaining exactly why we have no idea what he wants and debating the various claims by different writers, pundits, insiders, and so-called experts.
http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/12/01/why-we-should-stop-acting-like-we-know-what-shohei-ohtani-wants/
It also includes several quotes from Ohtani himself which directly addresses the previous "insider" claim that he does not want to play on a team with a Japanese star:
http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2017/12/01/why-we-should-stop-acting-like-we-know-what-shohei-ohtani-wants/
It also includes several quotes from Ohtani himself which directly addresses the previous "insider" claim that he does not want to play on a team with a Japanese star:
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan2m
Sources: The Yankees are out on Shohei Ohtani.
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan1m
Sources: Shohei Ohtani continues to narrow the field for his meetings next week. The New York Yankees are out. The San Francisco Giants are one of the finalists. The Seattle Mariners also are in.
Sources: The Yankees are out on Shohei Ohtani.
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan1m
Sources: Shohei Ohtani continues to narrow the field for his meetings next week. The New York Yankees are out. The San Francisco Giants are one of the finalists. The Seattle Mariners also are in.
I wonder if Bam Bam was a finalist to try to help woo him, and Cashman named Boone once he got word that Ohtani was going elsewhere. The timing makes that seem like a possibility.
@BryanHoch 1m1 minute ago
Cashman said that Ohtani’s reps told him they were very impressed with team’s presentation, but no matter how good it was, the Yankees couldn’t make themselves West Coast or a smaller market.
Pete Abraham @PeteAbenow
The Red Sox also are out on Ohtani. Dave Dombrowski said they were informed this afternoon.
The Red Sox also are out on Ohtani. Dave Dombrowski said they were informed this afternoon.
As i understand it, NY never got a chance to make a direct presentation, and Ohtani whittled down the teams today. NY picked Boone on Thursday and announced it on Friday. What you're saying could be true, sure.
Given what he wants to do, an AL team has always seemed to make more sense to me. Seattle checks a lot of boxes.
I not surprised the Red Sox aren't a finslist. I am surprised the Yankees aren't but if he's dead set on a West coast team then they obviously had no shot. So, at this point is it the Mariners and Angels? I agree that AL teams have the advantage of sticking him at DH. Don't think the A's have much to sell him on. Am I missing an obvious suitor?
The Mariners and Giants are the only two teams who have been confirmed as making it to the list of teams he will actually meet with.
Yeah, but none of those West Coast teams are really small market. San Diego maybe?
I'm aware. I'm speculating on who else will be announced and who actually has a shot. I don't think the Giants do, but man they could be about to have an epic week if I'm wrong.
I guess it's how the prodigal son defines "small." But Seattle is smaller than San Diego.
Well, disappointing as a Yankee fan but it’s a win that he’s going to a team we don’t care about.
Mike BerardinoVerified account @MikeBerardino 30m30 minutes ago
Sources briefed on Ohtani cutdown tell me "heavy West Coast" flavor to final list. #Cubs a possible exception along with SEA, SF, SD and both LA clubs.
Sources briefed on Ohtani cutdown tell me "heavy West Coast" flavor to final list. #Cubs a possible exception along with SEA, SF, SD and both LA clubs.
Not to rekindle the whole Boone debate again but between the Boone hiring and Otahni not going to NY this has been a great weekend for the Sox
Complete speculation here, but piecing the news items together, I wonder if Stanton is waiting to see if the Giants land Ohtani before deciding to accept a trade to them. I read something a few days ago stating he had some hesitance based on the Giants’ chances of contending.
2m22 minutes ago
Several #MLB GMs now believe that the Seattle #Mariners are the clear-cut front runners for Ohtani's services and the Mariners are cautiously optimistic
Several #MLB GMs now believe that the Seattle #Mariners are the clear-cut front runners for Ohtani's services and the Mariners are cautiously optimistic
