By Fenderputty Go To PostWhich would only be stressed by the AL teams thinking of hitting him as the DH. The NL team can happily let him swing in practice for his shot at the plate 1-2 times a week.in the NL he is hitting and might even PH every now and again
Wow the Mets are getting in on Otani... OHHHHHHH
Every team should at least be making an effort, as Otani will be subject to international spending limits, which would cap a potential contract at $3.5 million. Interested teams would also have to submit a $20 million posting fee. The Mets are expected to have a drop in payroll next year, but this is the sort of deal they can afford. And as Carig and Lennon note in the story, while Otani's initial salary will be depressed due to MLB's rules, New York could be an attractive destination due to the potential endorsement opportunities. Of course, the Yankees can also offer that. It promises to be a fascinating process from a variety of perspectives.Yeah, pretty much every team with a large Asian base should post. New York, Houston, Seattle, etc.
Dodgers in on the Stanton trade rumors. Marlins asking price is high but everyone knows they're trying to dump salary so ...
By Fenderputty Go To PostDodgers in on the Stanton trade rumors. Marlins asking price is high but everyone knows they're trying to dump salary so …Marlins are asking for your sons and the rights to you next 2 children. It's amazing.
By The Frankman Go To PostWow the Mets are getting in on Otani… OHHHHHHHSeattle might make a play for Yu and Ohtani... they are boys so you can only hope
Yeah, pretty much every team with a large Asian base should post. New York, Houston, Seattle, etc.
The Dodgers got robbed in postseason awards, especially Kershaw. Leader in wins, win percentage, and ERA and no Cy Young. ROBBED. Time come back angry next year, I guess. Can Kershaw even get angry?
Alex Cobb and every other free agent given qualifying offers declined said offer prior to Thursday's 5 p.m. deadline.It sounds silly that they reject it, but with the money lessened there where only 9 and no real chance any of them accept it, unlike the NFL.
There wasn't much doubt this was coming. Since the rewards have been lessened, no team gave a qualifying offer to a borderline player who might have accepted it, such as Zack Cozart or Andrew Cashner. Cobb, Greg Holland and Wade Davis might ultimately sign for less per year than the $17.4 million the qualifying offer was worth, but all will get multiyear deals. It certainly wasn't a consideration for the other six to get the offer: Eric Hosmer, Jake Arrieta, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Carlos Santana and Lance Lynn.
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that reliever Bryan Shaw has received multi-year contract offers from two teams.Mets said they will recommit to the bullpen by signing bullpen FAs this year. Shaw would be a huge get.
Hoynes doesn't specify the two teams, but speculates that the Mets are likely one of them, adding weight to the reporting of Mike Puma of the New York Post, who has heard similar rumblings from the Mets' front office in recent days. Shaw's former pitching coach in Cleveland, Mickey Callaway, is now the manager of the Mets. The 30-year-old Shaw has an excellent 3.13 ERA in his career with 398 strikeouts in 446 1/3 innings. His 378 appearances in the last five years led all major league pitchers over that span. He made $4.6 million in his last year of arbitration in 2017 with the Indians. It is possible the Indians could be the second team to offer him a long-term contract as they have said they would love to have him back if he doesn't price himself out of town
Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports that Doug Fister has agreed to a major league contract with the Rangers, pending a physical.Also...
SB Nation's Chris Cotillo says it's a one-year, $4 million deal with a club option for 2019. Fister didn't sign on anywhere this past season until mid-May and didn't pitch in the majors until late June after back-to-back disappointing years. He held a 4.88 ERA for the Red Sox, but his velocity and strikeouts were up and he posted a 2.79 ERA during a seven-start stretch from late July to early September. Fister will be part of the Rangers' rotation but the club surely isn't done adding starters.
Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports that Shohei Ohtani could be officially posted as soon as Friday, kicking off a mad recruitment scramble among major league teams.
Baseball's team owners will vote Friday on whether to ratify the new posting agreement negotiated with Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. If the measure passes as expected, Ohtani's current team – the Nippon Ham Fighters – could post him for bids immediately. The bidding window will last up to 21 days before Ohtani must make his decision. The star pitcher/hitter has distributed a questionnaire to all 30 MLB teams asking them to give detailed answers to a list of questions to help him decide which team to join. Interested teams will have to put up a $20 million fee that will go to the Fighters, then must pay a signing bonus to Ohtani from their international bonus pools. The Rangers have the most available money at $3.55 million followed by the Yankees at $3.5 million. Those two teams along with the Mariners and Dodgers are seen as the favorites. The 23-year-old Ohtani is expected to choose a team that offers him the chance to both pitch and hit.
By Moris Go To PostHow bad exactly is The Braves situation with their signing violation punishments?Dude... they got borderline USC'd.
- Lifetime ban for former general manager John Coppolella.
- One year ban for former scout Gordon Blakeley
- varying but significant restrictions in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 IFA (international free agent) classes.
- Loss of a third-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft
- Varying punishments for other members of the Braves' international baseball operations department
- Loss of team control of a number of International players signed under that regime (back to being FA):
Kevin Maitan (arguably the best prospect in the 2016 IFA period)
Juan Contreras
Yefri del Rosario
Abrahan Gutierrez
Juan Carlos Negret
Yenci Peña
Yunior Severino
Livan Soto
Guillermo Zuniga
Brandol Mezquita
Angel Rojas
Antonio Sucre
Ji Hwan Bae
You don't recover from that easily, and it gets worse since they lose scouting/IFA money and have future restrictions.
Everything you wanted to know about Shohei Ohtani (will omit the Mets stuff)
Can anyone sign him?
Yes, because money is not an issue. Unlike the days of Yu Darvish, Ichiro and Masahiro Tanaka, because Ohtani is not yet 25 years old, he must be paid the league minimum salary during his first three seasons in the big leagues – just like every other rookie in MLB. In other words, assuming Ohtani makes his new team's opening day roster, he'll earn just over the league minimum each of the next three seasons. He'll, then, be eligible for salary arbitration during 2021, 2022 and 2023 -- only after which he will again be a free agent.
Ohtani is able to ink a large signing bonus. However, MLB teams are restricted to giving him only what is left in their current international bonus pool money. According to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, whose job it is to understand minor-league and international talent, signing rules and such, the Orioles have the potential to offer Ohtani the largest bonus at $9.7 million. The Twins, Pirates, Marlins, Yankees and Rangers all have the potential to offer more than $5 million, while the Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, and other big-market teams can only offer $300,000. And, in the case of the Mets, Angels and Tigers, they can offer only around $100,000. The thing is, money is obviously not Ohtani's top priority, otherwise he would have waited two more years to come to MLB when – at 25 years old – he could have inked a $200 million deal. For instance, I've been told by insiders briefed on his situation that it is very important to Ohtani that he be considered a franchise player on a team with a consistent chance to win. In addition, he is not concerned with a city's nightlife, local marketing opportunities, or team history. Instead, he is focused on becoming a team leader, fan favorite, and a positive influence and reflection of his new city and its local Japanese community.
Of course, before inking Ohtani to a deal, his new MLB team must first pay a $20 million fee to Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters. In the current baseball economy, though, $20 million is a small price to pay for a young man that every talent evaluator believes can be a dominant front-end starting pitcher capable of pinch hitting, being a DH or starting in the outfield a few times each week. Insiders say, while he enjoys pitching more than hitting, he wants to play at least a few days each week in the field and not just be a designated hitter or relegated to a novelty pinch hitter.
"I would not automatically rule out teams in the NL," an international evaluator told Matt Cerrone Tuesday. "This kid is capable of playing 50 to 60 games in the outfield and getting 300 at bats. He's also an above-average runner. They stopped letting play the field in Japan. He was frustrated and I think it's one of the reasons he's leaving now not later. He wants to be back out there."
If this is accurate, he shouldn't hide his glove and cleats by being just a DH. Instead, going to an NL team would be the best way to assure his fielding and speed are not ignored. He also sent every MLB team this questionnaire that he expects returned and filled out:
Can anyone sign him?
Yes, because money is not an issue. Unlike the days of Yu Darvish, Ichiro and Masahiro Tanaka, because Ohtani is not yet 25 years old, he must be paid the league minimum salary during his first three seasons in the big leagues – just like every other rookie in MLB. In other words, assuming Ohtani makes his new team's opening day roster, he'll earn just over the league minimum each of the next three seasons. He'll, then, be eligible for salary arbitration during 2021, 2022 and 2023 -- only after which he will again be a free agent.
Ohtani is able to ink a large signing bonus. However, MLB teams are restricted to giving him only what is left in their current international bonus pool money. According to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, whose job it is to understand minor-league and international talent, signing rules and such, the Orioles have the potential to offer Ohtani the largest bonus at $9.7 million. The Twins, Pirates, Marlins, Yankees and Rangers all have the potential to offer more than $5 million, while the Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, and other big-market teams can only offer $300,000. And, in the case of the Mets, Angels and Tigers, they can offer only around $100,000. The thing is, money is obviously not Ohtani's top priority, otherwise he would have waited two more years to come to MLB when – at 25 years old – he could have inked a $200 million deal. For instance, I've been told by insiders briefed on his situation that it is very important to Ohtani that he be considered a franchise player on a team with a consistent chance to win. In addition, he is not concerned with a city's nightlife, local marketing opportunities, or team history. Instead, he is focused on becoming a team leader, fan favorite, and a positive influence and reflection of his new city and its local Japanese community.
Of course, before inking Ohtani to a deal, his new MLB team must first pay a $20 million fee to Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters. In the current baseball economy, though, $20 million is a small price to pay for a young man that every talent evaluator believes can be a dominant front-end starting pitcher capable of pinch hitting, being a DH or starting in the outfield a few times each week. Insiders say, while he enjoys pitching more than hitting, he wants to play at least a few days each week in the field and not just be a designated hitter or relegated to a novelty pinch hitter.
"I would not automatically rule out teams in the NL," an international evaluator told Matt Cerrone Tuesday. "This kid is capable of playing 50 to 60 games in the outfield and getting 300 at bats. He's also an above-average runner. They stopped letting play the field in Japan. He was frustrated and I think it's one of the reasons he's leaving now not later. He wants to be back out there."
If this is accurate, he shouldn't hide his glove and cleats by being just a DH. Instead, going to an NL team would be the best way to assure his fielding and speed are not ignored. He also sent every MLB team this questionnaire that he expects returned and filled out:
Angels acquired RHP Jim Johnson and international pool space from the Braves for LHP Justin Kelly.Not a bad deal for Atlanta, don't need JJ due to rebuilding and the IFA cash not as important now due to sanctions.
Johnson lost his closer job this past season in Atlanta, finishing with a rough 5.56 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 56 2/3 innings. He'll try to revitalize his career out in Anaheim and could even get a shot at saves again if things go well. The 34-year-old right-hander is owed $4.5 million in 2018. He can become a free agent next winter. This is the first official move for new Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos.
Kelly, a 33rd-round pick in 2016, put up a 3.53 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 57/29 K/BB ratio in 63 2/3 innings this past year between five different levels of the Angels' minor league system. The 24-year-old southpaw can't really be considered a prospect.
Brewers and C Stephen Vogt avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.065 million contract.This will be a steal for the Brewers. I really like the dude.
There had been some speculation that the team could non-tender Vogt, but the catcher decided to accept less than his arbitration projection in order to stick around. He batted .233/.285/.423 with 12 homers for the A's and Brewers in 2017 and will enter 2018 as their No. 1 catcher.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed Friday that the club will be aggressive in their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani.FUCK THE YANKQUIS
Cashman effectively began his sales pitch to Ohtani when he told reporters Friday that "Ohtani represents the next great talent that’s available in baseball and (the New York) stage is made for players like this." The GM added that he thinks Ohtani is a "perfect fit" for the Yankees and that they would let the Japanese star pitch and hit. The $3.5 million the Yankees have available as a signing bonus to spend on Ohtani is the second-largest amount behind the Rangers' $3.55 million, but money will be a secondary consideration here. Ohtani is ultimately going to go where he wants to play and it's no surprise that many have predicted he'll wind up in pinstripes.
Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that the Mets are open to the idea of bringing back Jay Bruce if it's on a three-year contract.Bruce is always criminally disrespected during contract time, Mets trying to take advantage of that.
Puma says that Bruce wants five years, although it's hard to imagine him getting that. Newsday's Marc Carig first reported Thursday that the Mets were interested in a possible reunion with Bruce. They would seem to need a center fielder much more than a corner outfielder, but Bruce would offer protection if Michael Conforto's (shoulder) rehab doesn't go smoothly.
By blackace Go To PostThe Yanks got a shot but I wonder if having no mamager will hurt themIt's kinda weird because that really wouldn't matter to most players outside of the "players' coach vs. disciplinarian coach" issue. Based on Ohtani's quiz, that would matter a lot..
Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has officially been posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters.
The Major League Baseball owners unanimously ratified a new posting system with Japan on Friday, officially clearing the way for Ohtani to be posted. The team that ultimately lands Ohtani will have to pay Nippon Ham a $20 million posting fee in addition to a signing bonus to the 23-year-old. Ohtani is expected to begin meeting with clubs as soon as next week and has until December 22 to reach an agreement with an MLB squad.
By The Frankman Go To PostIt's kinda weird because that really wouldn't matter to most players outside of the "players' coach vs. disciplinarian coach" issue. Based on Ohtani's quiz, that would matter a lot..It's huge for Otani because he wants to play as a pitcher and an everyday player...how the manager is going to handle it seems pretty important
I got a feeling Ohtani is coming to LA. If it's between clubs that can win, it's either the Cubs or Dodgers? Crossing my fingers.
Jim Bowden of Sirius XM reports that Shohei Ohtani is only considering the Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, Mariners, Rangers, and Cubs.GAWDDAMITT OHTANI.
We've been piecing this together one-by-one over the past 24 hours, but these are the only seven teams that Ohtani is considering. He had informed clubs that he would prefer going to the west coast or to a smaller market, and the great majority of the finalists are on the West Coast (with the exception of the Rangers and Cubs). Of course, the Rangers have a strong history with Japanese players. As for the Cubs, they might have pitched him on creative plans to use him as both a pitcher and hitter. They are also strongly-positioned to win right away. Each finalist should meet with Ohtani in the coming days, with a resolution to come later this month.
Mets should've used Bobby Valentine and offered him all the Sapporo Beer he could drink.
According to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM, the Giants are meeting with Japanese star Shohei Ohtani in Los Angeles today.What the fuck dude wants to be on the West Coast that badly? Five West Coast teams, then the Rangers and Cubs. I get the Rangers; dunno why the Cubs are even there, NY has a much stronger Asian dynamic/community.
All seven of the finalists will meet with Ohtani in the coming days. The Giants are also juggling a potential trade for Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Some have speculated that the AL would be a better fit for Ohtani because of the ability to DH, but four out of the seven finalists are National League teams. In addition to the Giants, Ohtani is also considering the Dodgers, Padres, and Cubs from the NL. The Mariners, Rangers, and Angels are in the mix from the American League. All seven of the finalists train in Arizona for spring training.
Supposedly it's between the Ms Giants and Padres... Japanese media is saying Ms and Padres with the Giants being a longshot... But seems like the Ms are the favorites at the moment
By Fenderputty Go To PostWhat’s with this small merket stipulation bullshit … the fuckin’ Padres lol wtfIt's not really small market... Seattle and SF are not small markets. They aren't LA or NY sized but far from say Minny.
Otani wants to live on the west the Dodgers don't have any money and Angels are kind of a mess...
he wants a team to star on rather than to be a subplot... Padres have a ton of people with Japanese baseball roots in the FO so that's where they come in
Rangers signed LHP Mike Minor to a three-year, $28 million contract.Duude was a huge prospect before shoulder woes derailed his career 4-5 years ago.
The deal was agreed to on Monday and finalized Wednesday after Minor passed his physical. Minor posted a strong 2.55 ERA, 1.017 WHIP, and 88/22 K/BB ratio in 77 2/3 innings of relief this past season for the Royals while holding left-handed batters to a stingy .163/.228/.196 slash line. The 29-year-old southpaw flourished in a relief role this past season in Kansas City, but the Rangers are expected to try him again as a starter. Minor did have a great year in the Braves' rotation back in 2013 before a shoulder injury temporarily derailed his career.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Dee Gordon has been traded from the Marlins to the Mariners.The Hell?
Gordon figured to get moved as a result of the Marlins' cutbacks, but Seattle is a highly unexpected destination. Perhaps the Mariners believe he'll fit in center field. He can't possibly be displacing Robinson Cano.
By The Frankman Go To PostThe Hell?What!!! Oh Shit!!! Yes!! One of my favorite players!! Hell yeah!!!
Where the heck is Seattle getting the money? They can't be in on Ohtani, be monitoring Stanton, and be in on all these FAs
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/seattle-mariners-salaries-and-contracts.shtml
... well damn who do they even have on their team now?
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/seattle-mariners-salaries-and-contracts.shtml
... well damn who do they even have on their team now?
By The Frankman Go To PostWhere the heck is Seattle getting the money? They can't be in on Ohtani, be monitoring Stanton, and be in on all these FAsOtani's money is secure... we good with that
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/seattle-mariners-salaries-and-contracts.shtml
… well damn who do they even have on their team now?
Kind of wondering if the Ms try to talk Cano into 1st base... That would be awesome if he bought into it
Mariners acquire 2B/OF Dee Gordon and international pool money from the Marlins for RHP Nick Neidert, SS Christopher Torres and RHP Robert Dugger.
Along with Gordon, the Mariners acquired the rights to an extra $1 million in pool money to spend on Shohei Ohtani or a prospect. Gordon, who is owed $38 million for three years or $51 million for four if his option is exercised, will be tried in center field by the Mariners, replacing free agent Jarrod Dyson. His experience in the outfield is limited to a handful of games in the Dominican Republic several years ago, so it will be a transition to watch. Gordon presumably will lead off for the Mariners, and if healthy, he'd seem to be pretty much assured of leading the AL in steals, unless maybe Billy Hamilton switches leagues, too.
Neidert was the Mariners' best pitching prospect, though that's not saying a whole lot. The 2015 second-round pick went 10-3 with a 2.76 ERA in high-A and 1-3 with a 6.56 ERA in six starts in Double-A last season. He's more about command than stuff, and he's probably going to be more of a bottom-of-the-rotation guy in the majors. He might debut before the end of next year.
Torres hit .238/.324/.435 as a 19-year-old in low-A ball last season. He has the glove to last at shortstop, but no one seems enamored with his offensive potential. He'll spend next year in high-A.
Dugger, a 2016 18th-round pick, had a 2.75 ERA in 18 starts and 13 relief appearances between low- and high-A last year. He's not a top prospect, but he's a possibility to surface in the Marlins' pen come 2019.
According to a statement from Shohei Ohtani's representatives, RHP/OF Shohei Ohtani will sign with the Angels.
Ohtani picks the Angels after a whirlwind week where he narrows his choice down to seven clubs, and Los Angeles ends up with the winning ticket. The Halos will hand over a $20 million dollar posting fee for the rights to negotiate his contract, and they'll be able to pay him upwards of $2.5 million dollars after making a deal to acquire cash from the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. The 23-year-old pitcher/outfielder is baseball's first legitimate two-way prospect in some time, and he'll get a chance to play in the outfield, DH, and start for the Angels in 2018.
BOOM.
The Cardinals released a statement saying that they were unable to get Giancarlo Stanton to waive his no-trade clause.Stanton is a ass. Turned down the Giants too.
"We had an agreement to acquire Giancarlo Stanton, subject to him waiving his no-trade clause," Cardinals CEO Bill DeWitt, Jr. said. "We have been notified that he will not waive his no-trade clause to come to St. Louis." That sums it up pretty succinctly. The Cardinals were one of the first teams who showed interest in the slugger this offseason, but according to a report from Craig Mish of Sirius XM, he will only waive his NTC for the Cubs, Astros, Dodgers and Yankees. St. Louis will have to turn their offensive attention elsewhere.
Stanton fallout
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports the Giants have discussed the possibility of signing free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez.
With the Giants now seemingly out of the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes after the Marlins' slugger said he would not waive his no-trade clause to go to San Francisco, it would be a logical next step for them to pursue Martinez. On a per-game basis, Martinez' 2017 stats rivaled or even exceeded those of Stanton. Martinez hit .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs and 104 RBI in only 119 games with the Tigers and Diamondbacks. Stanton hit .281/.376/.631 with 59 homers and 132 RBI in 159 games. Martinez out-performed Stanton in 2016. Martinez will likely come cheaper than Stanton as well. Stanton has $295 million left on his contract and would carry a steep price in prospect talent to boot. Martinez is reportedly asking for $200 million but as a free agent would not carry the additional cost in prospect talent. Shea hears the Giants may be interested in free agent Jay Bruce as another fallback option.
By blackace Go To PostJeter is a double agentWe obviously need an investigation into this collusion.