Ohtani to Dodgers for an ungodly amount of money

[thawv]

On 11/18/2023 at 11:27 AM, JD94 said:

So apparently Ohtani just brought in $100M in revenue for the Angels last year. In one year. I mean wow. This is right up Ricketts ally. It’s a win-win for them. No matter what Ohtani gets, Ricketts still makes money on this deal and he gets to keep hundreds of thousands of fans happy by signing off on getting them the best player in baseball. I see why we are all in on Ohtani. He’s going to bring in WAY more money than his contract. I mean we already knew Ohtani would bring in crazy money in revenue, but I didn’t think $100M ANNUALLY. That number might be even higher if he’s a Cub. All the Japanese that will buy Marquee with him and Suzuki on the team. All the jersey sales. It’s a no brainer for Tom. 
 

Here’s the article:

 

As far as the Marquee network goes, how would Japan be able to subscribe to it?  I thought it was an RSN, and only available for subscription the the Cubs TV territory.  I live in Florida and can only get it because I have MLBTV.  Maybe MLBTV is going to benefit from it, and not the Marquee network.  If I'm wrong, please let me know. 

[thawv]

13 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I will say this, if it isn’t the Cubs it better be the Dodgers. I can except that. I will believe there was nothing they could do to change his mind. But if it is the Blue Jays I would question why the Cubs couldn’t do more. Easy to say the Dodgers have more going for them then the Cubs. I have a hard time believing the Cubs FO couldn’t convince Otani they have more going for them than the Blue Jays. 

Not to mention the 46% income tax, and 13% sales tax in Toronto.  I would find it hard to believe that something like that doesn't come in to play while making a decision.  Not matter how much a person makes.  

[Jason Ross]

38 minutes ago, thawv said:

As far as the Marquee network goes, how would Japan be able to subscribe to it?  I thought it was an RSN, and only available for subscription the the Cubs TV territory.  I live in Florida and can only get it because I have MLBTV.  Maybe MLBTV is going to benefit from it, and not the Marquee network.  If I'm wrong, please let me know. 

I would guess where there is a will, there is a way. Perhaps Maquee sells their international broadcast rights to a Japanese broadcasting company? So while I can't really say how these things work...I would bet my ass that it does.

[thawv]

29 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

I would guess where there is a will, there is a way. Perhaps Maquee sells their international broadcast rights to a Japanese broadcasting company? So while I can't really say how these things work...I would bet my ass that it does.

You're probably right.  But just on the surface, it's not available outside the Cubs territory. 

[Jason Ross]

Jeff Passan on Ohtani this AM: 

"The Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, who were among the initial group of suitors, have turned their attention to other players, sources said.”

"Among those confirmed by sources to be still in the bidding: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Angels. The San Francisco Giants have long had a fondness for Ohtani, though where they stand in these sweepstakes is unknown."

 

 

[thawv]

I've read on here and on other pages that not having to leave LA is a positive thing when O makes his decision. 

Do we know this?  Maybe he can't wait to get out of LA, and this is his chance.  Not saying that's the case, but why assume that staying in LA is an advantage, and that he doesn't want to leave?  It could also be assumed that he does not like LA, and can't wait to leave.

Unless there's some concrete reports that he wants to stay in LA, I don't think it's an advantage or disadvantage to already be there.

[Jason Ross]

33 minutes ago, thawv said:

I've read on here and on other pages that not having to leave LA is a positive thing when O makes his decision. 

Do we know this?  Maybe he can't wait to get out of LA, and this is his chance.  Not saying that's the case, but why assume that staying in LA is an advantage, and that he doesn't want to leave?  It could also be assumed that he does not like LA, and can't wait to leave.

Unless there's some concrete reports that he wants to stay in LA, I don't think it's an advantage or disadvantage to already be there.

I would say we know very little about what Ohtani wants. It seems clear he wants to win. It seems like a four team race, maybe five if San Francisco is in. And it's reportedly not necessarily just a geographical decision. Past that...lots of speculation. It's a weird free agent experience. 

[s2obed]

Yea, nobody knows what Ohtani wants but LAD has a ton of money, has continued to win for the past decade, and is close to Japan, plus he probably already lives in LA or that area.

Glad to hear the Cubs are still in though and seem to be all in on him.

Edited December 1, 2023 by s2obed

[muntjack]

Living in L.A. obviously wasn't a deal breaker when he initially came over.  The Angel's had two possible selling points (other than $$$). Playing with the best player in the world,  and living in Southern California.   Maybe he chose them in spite of L.A. but it was more likely a point in their favor.   

[thawv]

5 minutes ago, s2obed said:

Yea, nobody knows what Ohtani wants but LAD has a ton of money, has continued to win for the past decade, and is close to Japan, plus he probably already lives in LA or that area.

Glad to hear the Cubs are still in though and seem to be all in on him.

I can't imagine being 14 hours or 18 hours away from a place that he doesn't really travel to very often, coming in to play here.  The assumption that he wants to leave LA can also be assumed as much as the assumption that he wants to stay is assumed.  I have never read anything about him not wanting to leave LA.  Just like I've never read anything about he wanting to leave LA.  Everything is speculation. 

1 minute ago, muntjack said:

Living in L.A. obviously wasn't a deal breaker when he initially came over.  The Angel's had two possible selling points (other than $$$). Playing with the best player in the world,  and living in Southern California.   Maybe he chose them in spite of L.A. but it was more likely a point in their favor.   

The west coast was reportedly a requirement in 2017.  It's reported that this time around, geography is no longer an issue.   

 

Jed seems to believe that if the west coast wasn't a requirement, and the NL had the DH, he very will may have signed with the Cubs.  He no longer cares where he lives, and the NL has the DH.  

[NorthsideAvenger]

I want to see Dodgers miss out on Ohtani a second time, just to see how butthurt they get. 

[David]

9 minutes ago, muntjack said:

Living in L.A. obviously wasn't a deal breaker when he initially came over.  The Angel's had two possible selling points (other than $$$). Playing with the best player in the world,  and living in Southern California.   Maybe he chose them in spite of L.A. but it was more likely a point in their favor.   

Yeah, but he hadn't just spent 5 years living in LA that time.

[ILMindState]

11 minutes ago, thawv said:

I can't imagine being 14 hours or 18 hours away from a place that he doesn't really travel to very often, coming in to play here.  The assumption that he wants to leave LA can also be assumed as much as the assumption that he wants to stay is assumed.  I have never read anything about him not wanting to leave LA.  Just like I've never read anything about he wanting to leave LA.  Everything is speculation. 

The west coast was reportedly a requirement in 2017.  It's reported that this time around, geography is no longer an issue.   

 

Jed seems to believe that if the west coast wasn't a requirement, and the NL had the DH, he very will may have signed with the Cubs.  He no longer cares where he lives, and the NL has the DH.  

The west coast has never been a requirement for Ohtani.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-sign-ohtani-20171208-story.html

“What mattered to him most wasn’t market size, time zone or league, but that he felt a true bond with the Angels,” Balelo said. “He sees this as the best environment to develop and reach the next level and attain his career goal.”

[David]

FWIW, a couple more tweets I dug up from that Dave guy.  Blah blah it's probably all made up but take it FWIW.  Sometimes these randoms turn out to be legit and most of the time they are making horsefeathers up (just like the sports journos lol)

I'm not sure if it had been reported by any real outlets that the Rangers were definitively out yet.  Anyone know?  But he Tweeted this last night and it jibes with what Passan said this morning.

Also, this...

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by David

[David]

From Altman's piece on all this...

Quote

As difficult as it’s been for a lot of folks to wrap their minds around this, the Ohtani sweepstakes isn’t purely a matter of which team offers the most money. I actually think Ohtani would take a lower offer if it meant getting a better overall fit, though it’s also possible for the most money and best fit to be in the same place. Either way, Passan has heard from sources who believe the contract will exceed $550 million and could push as high as $600 million.

 

We’re probably looking at some really creative maneuvering to structure a deal that pays Ohtani in accordance with his status as the most talented player of this or any generation while also protecting against the fear of him not pitching as well when he returns. His latest procedure was reportedly not as extensive as the full UCL reconstruction he underwent a few years ago, but whether it was the increasingly popular internal brace or something else isn’t clear. Though concerns are largely mitigated by his transcendent stardom, it’s not beyond reason to build in a little security.

As strange as it sounds, Ohtani might even be intrigued by something like that. We have to remember that this is a man who’s motivated by doing things no one else has done, as we saw when he left for MLB early even though it meant foregoing a bigger payday through full free agency. He could relish the notion of having to prove himself as a pitcher upon his return to the mound, something I feel like Jed Hoyer and the Cubs could find a way to leverage to some extent.

Jon Morosi talked a little while back about how Ohtani might be driven by trying to win the triple crown next season as a DH-only, something the Cubs are ideally suited to help him do. The Cubs also have a lighter travel schedule than the other teams reportedly in the mix for Ohtani, which could be a mark in their favor.

It’s become almost trite at this point, but I’ll repeat it because many still don’t believe or understand it: This is the one player for whom Tom Ricketts is willing to break the bank. The Cubs are very well positioned with Marquee Sports Network to capitalize on Ohtani’s international acclaim, so this would be a different investment than any other contract. That said, Ohtani isn’t a savior and isn’t being viewed as the only addition required to build a winner.

 

[thawv]

27 minutes ago, ILMindState said:

The west coast has never been a requirement for Ohtani.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-sign-ohtani-20171208-story.html

“What mattered to him most wasn’t market size, time zone or league, but that he felt a true bond with the Angels,” Balelo said. “He sees this as the best environment to develop and reach the next level and attain his career goal.”

Interesting.  Jed said a couple of weeks ago that he preferred the west coast.  That and not having the DH was likely the reason they didn't land him in 2017.  Back then, I also remembering reading and hearing that he will only sign with a west coast team.  Oh well

[Dfan25]

Someone asked Rogers what the level of optimism should be for Ohtani ? Rogers reply was not high , but not zero . It doesn’t feel like they are the favorites . 
 

Seems like the Cubs getting picked would be a surprise at this point .

[ToolDRT]

4 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Someone asked Rogers what the level of optimism should be for Ohtani ? Rogers reply was not high , but not zero . It doesn’t feel like they are the favorites . 
 

Seems like the Cubs getting picked would be a surprise at this point .

Where did you see this? And yeah, the chatter has been rather pessimistic the last day or so. Bummer. 

[Jason Ross]

4 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Someone asked Rogers what the level of optimism should be for Ohtani ? Rogers reply was not high , but not zero . It doesn’t feel like they are the favorites . 
 

Seems like the Cubs getting picked would be a surprise at this point .

I think that's a fair response. But I also think there's a lot of latitude between high and zero. Like, medium would fit both criteria. I do think it would be a bit of a surprise, as I think many have assumed "Ohtani + Dodgers" is a clear and forgone conclusion. I also think the Angels being a choice originally was a surprise. 

I certainly don't expect Ohtani to come to the Cubs. But I'll remain optimistic that it's realistic until he doesn't, as well.

[ToolDRT]

Ahh I see it. Dang. 
 

 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, ToolDRT said:

Ahh I see it. Dang. 
 

 

Feels like the type of speculation we've seen. "Probably" and "felt". Seems cut from the same cloth as the Olney stuff before. Fair assumptions that the Dodgers are the easy choice, but without concrete knowledge of it.

[David]

Right.  Again, take anything where Jesse Rogers has room for interpretation for what it's worth (the analysis of an idiot).

 

But it's still probably accurate lol.

[CubbyBlue2008]

Every report I see feels like nobody really knows anything. 

“Here’s a group of teams everyone else has reported. Dodgers are favorite because I they are in LA and they’re really good.”

Tracks with Ohtani wanting it to keep quiet. I genuinely don’t think any of these dudes know much and I think we are all gonna find out the winner at the same time, more or less.

[JD94]

I guess he’s technically right since we haven’t done a whole lot the last handful of years, but it seems like Jesse pours cold water on everything always. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

600 mil is kind of wacky, better be some serious protections in that contract based on innings pitched/number of starts