Shohei Ohtani Signs with the Angels

[imb]

The Dee Gordon deal just makes me think Seattle is very sure that Ohtani is theirs.

[Cubswin11]

The Dee Gordon deal just makes me think Seattle is very sure that Ohtani is theirs.

Why would they need more money then?

[treebird]

The Dee Gordon deal just makes me think Seattle is very sure that Ohtani is theirs.

Why would they need more money then?

 

he told them he might as well get maxed out if he’s going to sign there and they are in no position to say no.

[Cubswin11]

The Dee Gordon deal just makes me think Seattle is very sure that Ohtani is theirs.

Why would they need more money then?

 

he told them he might as well get maxed out if he’s going to sign there and they are in no position to say no.

Nah we still got him, these teams trading for money are having delusions of grandeur

[sweetpeteman]

To me these moves reek of desperation. They're behind so they're trying to get together as much cash as possible to hope that it can give them an edge.

 

But they know it's not going to help.

 

 

 

 

At least that's what I want to believe.

[Thusly Boned]

It seems to me that while there may be varying levels of confidence on their parts, none of these teams have any real idea what is going to happen and are simply trying to maximize their chances in whatever way they can.

 

I have no particular confidence in the Cubs' chances, but these trades don't move the needle much for me. If the Mariners end up with Ohtani, it won't have much (or anything) to do with these trades, imo. Relative to other potential financial factors, the amounts being gained are a pittance.

[17 Seconds]

The Dee Gordon deal just makes me think Seattle is very sure that Ohtani is theirs.

Why would they need more money then?

 

he told them he might as well get maxed out if he’s going to sign there and they are in no position to say no.

 

yep

[Cubswin11]

Why would they need more money then?

 

he told them he might as well get maxed out if he’s going to sign there and they are in no position to say no.

 

yep

Nah

[imb]

It's that combined with seattle being willing to move almost all of what is not a very strong farm system anyway. If you have Ohtani, the argument could be made that these kind of middling pieces don't matter anymore, but I don't think they would move half of their top-10 unless they were very sure about what was coming back their way.

[Cubswin11]

It's that combined with seattle being willing to move almost all of what is not a very strong farm system anyway. If you have Ohtani, the argument could be made that these kind of middling pieces don't matter anymore, but I don't think they would move half of their top-10 unless they were very sure about what was coming back their way.

Their top 10 is garbage to begin with, much like ours. It’s not like it’s going to take years to replace these prospects traded away, regardless if they get Ohtani. Their GM is literally addicted to trades and I don’t think this moves the needle much at all.

[imb]

In a vacuum I'd agree with you, but in context of this whole scenario (west coast, seattle has a good history with japanese imports, lots of bonus money,) it seems like another clue.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

It seems to me that while there may be varying levels of confidence on their parts, none of these teams have any real idea what is going to happen and are simply trying to maximize their chances in whatever way they can.

 

I have no particular confidence in the Cubs' chances, but these trades don't move the needle much for me. If the Mariners end up with Ohtani, it won't have much (or anything) to do with these trades, imo. Relative to other potential financial factors, the amounts being gained are a pittance.

 

Exactly my thought. The prospect cost to gain a million or two dollars and distinguish yourself from close competitors is totally worth it.

[17 Seconds]

It seems to me that while there may be varying levels of confidence on their parts, none of these teams have any real idea what is going to happen and are simply trying to maximize their chances in whatever way they can.

 

I have no particular confidence in the Cubs' chances, but these trades don't move the needle much for me. If the Mariners end up with Ohtani, it won't have much (or anything) to do with these trades, imo. Relative to other potential financial factors, the amounts being gained are a pittance.

 

just because he's willing to come to mlb for cheap doesn't mean money is completely irrelevant to him. it feels like seattle told him they'd be able to get a certain amount for him if he committed, they got word he's choosing them, and now they're just grabbing the money as quickly as possible to wrap this up.

[Thusly Boned]

It seems to me that while there may be varying levels of confidence on their parts, none of these teams have any real idea what is going to happen and are simply trying to maximize their chances in whatever way they can.

 

I have no particular confidence in the Cubs' chances, but these trades don't move the needle much for me. If the Mariners end up with Ohtani, it won't have much (or anything) to do with these trades, imo. Relative to other potential financial factors, the amounts being gained are a pittance.

 

just because he's willing to come to mlb for cheap doesn't mean money is completely irrelevant to him. it feels like seattle told him they'd be able to get a certain amount for him if he committed, they got word he's choosing them, and now they're just grabbing the money as quickly as possible to wrap this up.

 

One could just as easily read it as the Mariners feeling some doubt and trying to bolster their chances. I just think that if you have a means to sweeten your offer in a competitive recruitment process, you take it. I don't think that freeing this money up is indicative of anything but a team doing just that.

[CubsWin]

In a vacuum I'd agree with you, but in context of this whole scenario (west coast, seattle has a good history with japanese imports, lots of bonus money,) it seems like another clue.

It very well could be another clue. But then again, it could just be a team that is trying to make themselves as attractive as possible. We have no way of knowing. Feel free to draw any inkling or conclusion you like, however. It's wide open to interpretation.

 

For me, the whole west coast thing boils down to preferring teams that have spring training in AZ, otherwise why would the Cubs and Rangers be included? Much speculation has gone into him preferring an AL team because of the DH and the fact that he hasn't played in the OF in years, but why would 4 of the 7 teams be in the NL then? Others point to him possibly wanting to be in a small market, but then why are SF, LA, CHC and LAA included? So we can count money concerns as equally vague. Why include teams that can only give you a $300,000 signing bonus if money is an important, determining factor?

 

Again, you might be right. I certainly have no idea. I just think the criteria for Ohtani are so intertwined and widespread amongst the 7 finalists that attempting to draw any conclusion at this point is futile. Unfortunately, all there is to do is wait... and hope.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Guys, Ohtani isnt coming here to Seattle. Theo met with him, in perfect Iwatean dialect said “Kon'nichiwa, genkidesuka” to Shohei. Shohei replied “I want to play for the Cubs!”...and the meeting was over save a few pleasantries and some coffee.

 

I’m going to keep telling myself that anyway

[Sammy Sofa]

Guys, Ohtani isnt coming here to Seattle.

 

[minnesotacubsfan]

Guys, Ohtani isnt coming here to Seattle.

 

 

 

Are you confused because he already signed with Seattle, or because i live in Seattle?

[CyHawk_Cub]

FWIW, Law doesn't seem to think the Twins got much of value in return for their Intl Bonus $$

 

GS: Thoughts on players the Twins received in bonus pool trades? Think they handled the money well?

 

Keith Law: Meh.

 

http://meadowparty.com/blog/2017/12/07/klawchat-12-7-17/

[Sammy Sofa]

Are you confused because he already signed with Seattle, or because i live in Seattle?

 

Oh yeah; I forgot you were one of those Oregon reprobates.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Are you confused because he already signed with Seattle, or because i live in Seattle?

 

Oh yeah; I forgot you were one of those Oregon reprobates.

 

Ive kept my screen name because ive worked too hard to maintain its lofty status to give it up to some buck-toothed millennial from Moose Lake [expletive]

[David]

i think it's been proven that none of these reporters know much about this process until things actually happen (look how spotty the reporting even on who had the meetings when has been), so any reports about what he's leaning toward or preferring are probably nonsense.

 

i think there's no reason for us not to be hopeful, but obviously there are 6 other possibilities so it's more likely than not that we don't get him...i'd still take theo's pitch over anybody else involved, though.

[UMFan83]

Not sure if this is true, just something I saw on Twitter in passing...

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Brian707]

[minnesotacubsfan]

Im telling ya guys Theo is a master.