MLB 2024

[Gaolee]

I think this means Seattle is trying to make a big signing. They cleared out salary space and got two young pitchers. I'm thinking Snell, Soto, or Ohtani.

I sure hope so. It looks like that, but it's hard to say. With Kelenic gone, Ohtani would fit well if he's willing to play in the outfield. The Mariners still need to cover third and one outfield spot. They need more than just Ohtani. They have got rid of a few strike-out prone guys, including Kelenic. Soto makes more sense than Ohtani from a health standpoint and from a purely positional standpoint, provided he's good to have in the clubhouse. Ohtani seems like a great guy to have around younger players. I don't think any team can get both of them, but both would fill the glaring holes in the Mariners' lineup.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Padres need young pitching. Mariners have young pitching (especially after the trade).

Just sayin.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I sure hope so. It looks like that, but it's hard to say. With Kelenic gone, Ohtani would fit well if he's willing to play in the outfield. The Mariners still need to cover third and one outfield spot. They need more than just Ohtani. They have got rid of a few strike-out prone guys, including Kelenic. Soto makes more sense than Ohtani from a health standpoint and from a purely positional standpoint, provided he's good to have in the clubhouse. Ohtani seems like a great guy to have around younger players. I don't think any team can get both of them, but both would fill the glaring holes in the Mariners' lineup.

This is the first I've heard of any discussions having Ohtani become a position player. Is that really a thing? Everything I've read, so far, has him continuing as a DH until he is able to also pitch again (and still continue as DH). Is this something he's actually expressed an interest in doing? If I were a GM willing (and able) to drop $500-600M guaranteed on a guy I'd have to do a hard look in the mirror before sending him out to be a position player and risk (further) injury . . . but there's probably a reason why I'm NOT a GM, right?

 

[Gaolee]

This is the first I've heard of any discussions having Ohtani become a position player. Is that really a thing? Everything I've read, so far, has him continuing as a DH until he is able to also pitch again (and still continue as DH). Is this something he's actually expressed an interest in doing? If I were a GM willing (and able) to drop $500-600M guaranteed on a guy I'd have to do a hard look in the mirror before sending him out to be a position player and risk (further) injury . . . but there's probably a reason why I'm NOT a GM, right?

I have seen speculation to the effect. Ohtani may want to pitch, but he's already had Tommy John once, and this is number two. His arm won't last very long. If he moves to the outfield or third base or somewhere, he could play another 10 or even 20 years. He won't be able to pitch for much longer. After two Tommy Johns, his arm might only last one season before it breaks again. If I were a GM, I wouldn't sign him with any expectation that he will pitch for very long, if at all. Outfield is far lower risk than pitching. If he's even a part time outfielder and full time DH, he's worth more than he would be as a broken down pitcher.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The only discussion I've heard in this regard if if Ohtani cannot return to pitching. Based on his fitness, then he might be looked at as an outfielder, as he is a real athlete.

 

[Gaolee]

Maybe he can learn to pitch with his other arm. That would solve the problem for a while.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Yankees get Soto (and Trent Grisham) from the Dads. And Verdugo in a rare trade with Boston. Obviously Soto is the big name, but Verdugo is solid enough, and Grisham might be a decent role player. These LH bats that should all benefit from playing at Yankee Stadium.

I think San Diego did the right thing moving on from Soto and adding pitching, not to mention some financial flexibility to add more depth to their roster. Higashioka is a low-key solid addition at catcher too.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Yankees get Soto (and Trent Grisham) from the Dads. And Verdugo in a rare trade with Boston. Obviously Soto is the big name, but Verdugo is solid enough, and Grisham might be a decent role player. These LH bats that should all benefit from playing at Yankee Stadium.

I think San Diego did the right thing moving on from Soto and adding pitching, not to mention some financial flexibility to add more depth to their roster. Higashioka is a low-key solid addition at catcher too.

I think for the Padres it's driven a lot by not having RSN money anymore since the demise of Diamond Sports and trying to get something for some pending FA's they know for sure now they won't be able to retain. I don't think the Yankees had to give up nearly as much as I would have expected, either. They are suddenly poised to go from worst to first (or near'ums) in offensive production. I'm not a Yanks fan but I'd say they have quite a bit to look forward to watching this season.

 

[Gaolee]

The Mariners are taking a hit because cable TV revenue is taking a hit. So, their payroll will be limited this season. Which means another almost season unless something breaks in an unexpected direction.

Gonzales seems like he was a great guy, but I'm not too heartbroken he was traded. Evan White never played because he was always injured. Kelenic didn't live up to his potential in Seattle. Maybe he can do a little better elsewhere. Or he will be traded again. His emotional outbursts last season didn't do my opinion of him all that much good.

Seattle got pitchers in return for Kelenic, Gonzales, and White. They are absolutely loaded with pitching for the time being. What they need is a couple decent hitters who don't strike out. Last season's strikeouts were unbearable.

I hate the Yankees. Oh, well. Soto was not going to stay in Seattle anyway.

 

[kesslari]

I'm expecting to see the Giants come up short on the top tier players who would really help the club, trot out the same old excuses of "we did everything we could...", and then return to trying to sell mediocrity.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

It's not being reported, via multiple sources (so not that lone wolf BS from yesterday that he had to retract), that Ohtani has signed with the Dodgers for 10 years/$700M. So next year before the end of August Ohtani will have earned more than all of the Oakland A's will earn for the whole season, combined, LOL. I mean it's remotely possible, of course, that A's management will dip into their pockets and substantially increase their payroll before then. I'll just pause there and let everyone catch their breath before they laugh themselves to death.

 

[GregC]

Here's an article: Ohtani joining Dodgers on 10-year, $700M deal

It's too bad that only a couple of teams could actually afford to pay for the best player. But that's baseball for ya.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I have a feeling the Dodgers will wish they hadn't signed him. Think about how many all stars they could have signed for that amount. Add in the fact that he doesn't play a position in the field, and after two major surgeries, I have a feeling his time on the mound is limited.

I love watching him play, but that contract is insane.

 

[Bent77]

Interesting some of the sports outlets are saying “stunning”

Maybe they are talking the price. Really wasn’t surprised he went to the Dodgers

 

[Gaolee]

I have a feeling the Dodgers will wish they hadn't signed him. Think about how many all stars they could have signed for that amount. Add in the fact that he doesn't play a position in the field, and after two major surgeries, I have a feeling his time on the mound is limited.

I love watching him play, but that contract is insane.

He will be the most expensive DH ever, unless he becomes a fielder. How old will he be in 10 years? I can only think of a small handful of players who were stars after 35, and they didn't have two Tommy Johns in their histories. The Dodgers shot themselves in the long term foot with this one.

 

[buldog5151bass]

He's 29. He's also a BIG money producer. But I can't see him pitching more than a few years.

I'd rather use the DH as a way to give your stars some rest while still getting at bats

 

[Killing Floor]

Honestly never thought he’d go to Toronto.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Honestly never thought he’d go to Toronto.

I suspect it would have taken way more money to get him to Toronto. 10 years / $700 million is nuts already. Imagine how much the Jays would have had to over-pay on top of that. Can’t build a team like that. Unless you’re the Dodgers, I guess They really need to hope for health though and for good player development down the roster. Stars and scrubs doesn’t win in baseball, even if the stars are Betts, Freemen, and Ohtani. You need good role players and competent depth around your stars. Otherwise they’ll just be like the Padres of last year. Fortunately for the Dodgers, they have a very good track record of drafting and developing talent. But this reduces the margin for error. They won’t be able to throw money around as easily to solve problems in future.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Some very interesting tidbits in MLBTR’s article about the Ohtani signing:

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, “most of” Ohtani’s salary will be deferred, as suggested by Ohtani himself. The intent is so that the Dodgers can continue to spend and add talent while somewhat lowering the luxury tax hit. Regardless of how the $700MM is eventually parceled out over the coming years or decades, the 29-year-old Ohtani will be bringing in the single largest contract ever given to a professional athlete, topping the $674MM deal that soccer legend Lionel Messi signed with FC Barcelona for the 2017-21 La Liga seasons.

If “most of” the money is deferred then the Dodgers might have more flexibility then I had assumed.

Ohtani is set for life financially, that’s for sure.

Also, wowie zowie @ Messi’s previous record contract. Nearly $700 million for a way shorter term. That is wild.

No opt-outs for Ohtani either. A straight 10 year deal.

Article: Dodgers To Sign Shohei Ohtani

 

[slobake]

I'm expecting to see the Giants come up short on the top tier players who would really help the club, trot out the same old excuses of "we did everything we could...", and then return to trying to sell mediocrity.

This is now starting to play out. I have a feeling the SFGiants didn't really want to sign Ohtani and I am glad they didn't. Still believing the team can build the backbone of their starters through the farm system and bolster it with a few signings. That involves a lot of patience from the fans and ownership and it gets frustrating. Hoping that their past method of signing other players off the scrap heap from other teams is in the past and that was just a stopgap measure.