Shohei Ohtani’s narrowing market has dominated headlines today, though not every club joined in on the action. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney (Insider subscription required), at least three teams didn’t respond to the request made last week by Ohtani’s agent asking for each MLB club to pitch itself to the Japanese star via a seven-point written explanation. It isn’t known which teams didn’t submit the information, though it’s probably safe to assume the Marlins were one, as they’re the only team known to have declined a pursuit of Ohtani’s services. Unless a club had received some knowledge about Ohtani’s preferred destinations and knew not to bother, it doesn’t seem like there’s any reason why a team wouldn’t have at least tried to attract his attention. As Olney put it in September, not even trying for Ohtani “would be the general manager’s version of failing to run out a ground ball.”
Here’s more from around the baseball world…
- The Yankees weren’t one of the teams that made it through to the interview stage with Ohtani, though his agents at CAA reportedly tried to at least give New York some further consideration, FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reports. It seems as if Ohtani simply prefers to play closer to the West Coast, and thus while the Yankees made a lot of sense for him on paper, there wasn’t any need to include them in the next stage of candidates.
- The Rangers are one of the teams reportedly still in the hunt to sign Ohtani, though if they’re at a disadvantage if Ohtani is favoring West Coast teams, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News proposes a more unique way for the Rangers to stand out — a six-man rotation. This would give Ohtani a schedule more akin to his one start-per-week schedule in Japan, plus give him more opportunity for at-bats in between his starts. Beyond just favoring Ohtani, Grant argues that a six-man rotation might also help the Rangers keep Cole Hamels and Martin Perez fresher, while allowing the club to manage Matt Bush’s innings in a possible transition to starting pitching. Texas manager Jeff Banister has spoken in favor of a six-man rotation in the past, and given the Rangers’ lack of starting pitching depth, now might be as good a time as any to be creative.
- Robbie Erlin’s contract with the Padres will pay him $650K in 2018, MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell reports (Twitter link). The left-hander was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, though he and the Padres avoided the process by agreeing to that one-year deal, which fell just shy of MLBTR’s projected $700K salary for Erlin. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2016, Erlin missed all of the 2017 season recovering from the procedure.
Padres2019ha
Padres.
angelsfan1522
Don’t get your hopes up I don’t think he will go to a team that gives him zero chance to compete
Padres2019ha
All Padres fans have right now is hope. But that will change since we have one if the best GM’s, best farm, best scouts, little salary commitments, and the best city in SoCal. What do you have? A waste of the best player in the last 20 years, a 45 yr old first baseman, and…
BlueSkyLA
Of your many head-scratchers, the one that makes me wonder the most is how you think the Padres’ small salary commitment will appeal this player or any other on the planet. Do tell.
Padres2019ha
We won’t be strapped for cash when the time comes to pay him. It’s really not that hard of a concept to understand. Maybe one of my other head- scratchers is, but I’m not sure which other ones you’re referring to. Do tell
liamsfg
We have the best cal in norcal.. also a team that is willing to spend some money and doesn’t leave the payroll empty every year.
He’s going AL, Seattle probably but SF or LA would happen before SD by that argument. At least those teams proved their willing to pull out the checkbook at all.
LA Sam
All Pads fans have ever had was hope, a half stale Jack Murphy Stadium churro, and an old faded LaMar Hoyt mustard stained jersey…..Let’s Go Friars !
Padres2019ha
Very articulate sammy boi
TrumpisMyGawd
You found that more bizarre than Preller being labeled “one of the best?”” As a Dodgers fan, I hope AJ is outdoing Coppolella in his crimes/incompetence for many years. 2018 will see one-quarter of the team composed of Rule 5 draftees. Thank you Padres for giving AJ an extension. You did right by the Dodgers.
canadianyankee
Honestly don’t think money is this guys motivation…he left millions on the table by coming to MLB two years early
BlueSkyLA
Yes, please, I want to work for a really cheap team. Makes sense.
JKB 2
I would not underestimate the Padres in this hunt at all!
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I’ll take “Teams that won’t get Shohei Otani” for $500 Alex.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
…and you’d have a 29 out of 30 chance at being right, even on the most blind of guesses!
mcdusty31
Actually 6 out of 7 or whoever is left
s2alliot
“… proposes a more unique way for the Rangers to stand out – a six-man rotation”
Well, the rest of the world probably did not know but there was actually a team that experimented on this during the 2017 season, and that team is the Padres. When there was a team that already tried this out, Rangers will certainly not be a “unique” candidate.
Sibert18
Just because one other team EXPERIMENTED with it does not mean that another team offering it wouldn’t be unique. Who even knows if the Rangers are even suggesting this, just part of an article and someone’s opinion
cxcx
Wouldn’t expanding the rotation make sense if you “do” have a lot of starting pitching depth, rather than if you don’t? If you don’t have depth, what are you going to expand it with?
Slipknot37
Have a feeling that Baltimore didn’t respond to that request either. Hope Padres sign him
LA Sam
No, I’m sure Baltimore filled out the questionnaire , complete w/all of Charm City’s unique qualities….a passionate young urban fan base ( R I O T S ) , year round fireworks ( G U N F I R E ), and amazing views and scenery at the Inner Harbor ( F L O A T E R S-Dead Bodies.) But the real slick Angelos part is the amount they have available to spend on the bonus pool…..NOTHING, they traded it all away for a couple AAAA pitchers….BUT….BUT….as they always say, “we made a competitive offer….we tried.”
anthodaniel
Rangers should have moved quickly to shore up numerous lineup holes ahead of romancing Ohtani. Doubt he wants to play for a loser.
Sibert18
By that logic does he not want to play for a winner since Yankees are out? Also if he didn’t want to play for a loser than why wouldn’t he have declined them by now? Or the Padres? Also just a fun note, Rangers have been one of the most consistent and highest winning teams over the last 8 or so years. Definitely not losers
madmanTX
Then, unless you are an Astros fan, your team is probably a loser too, so what’s your point?
mcdusty31
Before I saw your reply, I knew you would have one lol
Phillies2017
I gotta give the kid credit. Ohtani has not sold out throughout the entire process. He seems like a really humble dude, and the type of guy I want to succeed in the majors.
delete
I mean….. except the part about selling out on his current contract in Japan
liamsfg
The team is making that $20mil posting fee, not Ohtani.
delete
I’m pretty sure he’s worth more than $20M to the team by him staying put. They are doing him a favor because he wants to sell out. He could have come to America before he signed his current contract but didn’t. His choice. This is a pretty classic sellout
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
How’s the air in your petty hate machine world, beisbolista?
therealryan
Except this is not how this situation went down. His intentions were to play in the US after high school and even told Japanese teams not to draft him. The Fighters are one of the more progressive teams in Japan and drafted him anyway. They promised him that if he signed with them, they would post him and allow him to go to MLB whenever he chose. He chose now. That’s why he’s coming over at 23 and not 25 like Darvish, Tanaka and other Japanese stars. He isn’t selling out his current contract and team at all. He already did them a huge favor by signing and playing for them in the first place.
houkenflouken
It would be a sell out if he waited 2 more years for the $200m+ payday
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
Of the teams remaining, only the Rangers could offer Otani more than his current contract in Japan (About $2.4 million).
Whether Otani does well or not in the MLB, he’s clearly and earnest guy who is not motivated, even a little, by money. Really cool.
I’ll root for him wherever he ends up.
Pasquale Salvatore
You do have to somewhat question his rationale. It seems like geography was the most important criteria for Ohtani. He prefers the west coast over the east coast because it’s closer to Japan. Really?? When you’re that far away does it really matter that much.
phantomofdb
I can’t agree he’s coming across as humble when he asks every team for an essay as to why they are worthy of his presence lol. Especially if he already had this criteria of small market western teams in mind. “You’re not getting me anyway but still tell me why I’m great for your team”. Of course I’m being a bit intentionally over dramatic with that comment but it legitimately seems a little less than humble.
GarryHarris
My thoughts exactly. Ask every potential employer to give a seven-point essay why I should come to your town. Who does that? I would be proud of any GM who refused to comply with such an arrogant request. I hope that Al Avila was one who did not.
Here’s my seven point essay:
Point 1 Don’t
Point 2-7 See point 1
mcdusty31
Gosh you’d make a fantastic GM with that mentality
Kayrall
When you are content with making less than pennies on the dollar according to market value, you can ask for a filled out questionnaire and still be considered humble.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I mean sure I guess it can be construed that way, but chances are greater that his representation was behind the questionnaire. It’s somewhat clear that Ohtani had in mind his possible destinations. Especially if there are reports circulating that his agents essentially consulted him to at least talk to the Yankees.
BlueSkyLA
Gosh, it turns out the Yankees weren’t inevitable after all. Who’d have thunk it, except everybody who isn’t a total Yankees homer.
adamontheshore
Every team has their fair share of homers. Living in LA I am flooded with both Dodger and Angel homers. The Yanks have more fans than most teams, but per capita they have no more homers than other teams.
BlueSkyLA
I’ve been reading the Ohtani discussions and found that nearly all of the “he’s definitely coming here” comments were from Yankees fans. And how often did MLBTR articles declare the Yankees to clearly be “the favorites” to land Ohtani?
liamsfg
I thought it could happen and I’m farthest from a Yankee “homer.” (childish baseball term).
Can’t be right all the time, but I’m surprised that any NL team has a shot at this point.
Ron Burgundy
Sayeth the West Coast Yankee fan in SmogskyLA
49ers4life
He has arthritis. He likes warmer weather to keep down the pain.
Realtexan
If that’s the case here then he will dang sure love it here in Texas where it is hot all the time
mlb1225
Where did you hear that? I have seen no reports on it.
BlueSkyLA
Mark, the phrase “more unique” is an oxymoron. A thing is either unique or it isn’t.
Padres2019ha
Uniquer?? Pedant
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
Most uniquestest?
em650r
Ohtani and the Stanton trade is holding up the rest of the Free Agents
Realtexan
How true. Ready for all the drama to end. Let’s get on with all the trades and fun..
greatdaysports
Hey Marlins fans. Your new ownership doesn’t care about you. How can they not be in on Otani.
It’s no financial burden to go in for him and might energize your fan base at least for a while.
So sorry you’ve been disrespected for so long. It’s going to get worse.
Realtexan
It’s a very sad sad time to be a baseball fan in Florida. Just so sad.
GarryHarris
That Giancarlo Stanton contract is like having a ship’s anchor for a Jet Ski. The key to the future is to have a vision what type of team they want on the field, have everyone working to that same vision and stick to it.
TrumpisMyGawd
The Dodgers are the team that can give him the extra rest a la Kenta. Sadly for Dodgers fans, he’ll sign with the Nats, on Pearl Harbor Day, and whose fans will quickly forget all about that guy named “Royce.” He’ll be the first Nat HoF’er, class of 2035. Congratulations!
LA Sam
Stay off the drugs son.
canajay12
So… You missed where the nats aren’t being considered?
mcdusty31
It’s what Dodgers fans call the Giants except he should’ve spelled it Gnats
TrumpisMyGawd
No, that was posted later.
RockHard
The rangers have are going to struggle to field a competitive 5 man rotation but sure let’s go to 6! Great idea
madmanTX
So, the Rangers put in all that time scouting him and rather than improve themselves by pursuing him, they should focus on building a killer 5 man rotation *before* they pursue top players? Nice illogic. Don’t quit your day job if you have one.
wanderguzman
The only thing that piss me off, is how he made almost every team waste time, why he sent the questionnaire to almost every team if he was just focused in playing in the west coast in first play, making them to prepare a presentation and focus in something that didnt had the chance to be done. he should had told that in first place.
ncaachampillini
Well that at first read is a good point but then you see the Cubs and Rangers are finalists so maybe they came through with great presentations. He was biased to start with for west coast but getting a well put together questionnaire from a team could change his mind.
mriescher
He is a fool!!!! Even if he didn’t want to play for the Yankees you keep them in it for the contractual demands.
mike156
There are no contractual demands to speak of. He’s limited in the amount of money he can make.
yukongold
He already knows the most he can get from each team.
JKB 2
@mriescher
Who is the fool? I guess you dont grasp that Ohtani is not a true free agent. This is not a contract negotiation. He knows the max amount each team can pay. So keeping the yankees in it does nothing.
yukongold
That NY line is utter BS.
chino31
Seattle is my opinion. More Japanese Asians living there, close to Japan, and Nintendo still owns a piece of the team. Probably will get a game named after him and get a fat endorsement.
LA Sam
This kid is GREAT !!!! A breath of fresh air, already at a tender young age is a once in a generation talent back home but wants to leave his known comfort zone where he is God to travel to the other side of the world too compete against the best players, at the highest level on earth…..AND he doesn’t come to America w/Boras as his lapdog…..HE’S coming here too initially work against said greatest, highest paid players for pennies on the dollar. Kid’s got character, class, pride, and a set of bowling balls in his jock ! The way he treated cash-man and the A-list nyy welcoming committee that was preparing “to impress” him w/everything that the Bronx has to offer AND he dismisses them immediately as if they were drunken loud obnoxious wannabe North Jersey wise guy, “I gots juice’,” challenging him to throw a baseball at Coney Island carney game…..I wanna ask how do you say, “No,” in Japanese but I think it’s “No.” Wherever he signs he’s already 1 of my favorite players…..Do Your Thing Ohtani !!!
southbeachbully
Why the hate? What did he do to Cashman or the Yanks other than say he didn’t want to play in the NY market? If anything, I take it as a sign of respect when a man tells you where he stands vs wasting your time and energy.
PS-He also declined to meet with half of the other league so I doubt he “dismissed” anyone immediately. I also wonder why you characterize them (or “us” NYers) as drunken loud and obnoxious wannabes? Your whole rant reeks of some weirdo living in his mom’s basement living in Flagstaff, AZ. Relax….not that deep. It’s business and hardly personal.
LA Sam
Couldn’t get a sit-down !?!? Yanks been loadin up their bonus pool loot to sign this kid, couldn’t buy your way onto worlds best prospects shortlist. Sorry if my characterization hit close to home….fugeddaboudit. Enjoy The Boone Experiment.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
How, if you have a lack of starting pitching depth, is it a good time to go to a six man rotation?
JKB 2
Lol my thought exactly WazBazbo
Leemitt
Three teams didn’t bother, huh? I’ll take a shot. Miami (we just bought the team but we can’t afford to pay the janitor); Philly (we’re saving every penny to try and fail to sign Machado and Harper next year); KC (we won a few years ago, no need to get greedy).
gc1998
I don’t get this kids motivation. It’s clearly not money (he will get league min and a signing bonus of $3.5M tops), it’s not a championship (not one 2017 post season contender made his list), it’s not to compete amongst and against the best (same reason), it’s not star power (omitted all big markets). So what is it? If he wants to be close to home why not stay in Japan?
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
Play for a couple of years with a smaller market team where you can adjust to American baseball, establish yourself and then sign one huge contract a little while from now?
southbeachbully
Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco are not NYC but they are indeed major markets. Not sure why you say that. Also, Cubs and LA are both teams that figure to compete for a championship run next year.
I myself am a Yankees fan. I’m not at all offended that he didn’t want to play here. I don’t think it should be looked at negatively by anyone,
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Well the Dodgers and Cubs made his list. And until he signs you can’t necessarily say winning isn’t a factor. There’s sort of a natural fit in Seattle. I can see why he targeted certain teams he’d have a chance to do both with. I think that’s his somewhat driving, or motivating, factor in this.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
Fans of seven teams: “Ohtani is the ultimate game-changer! We’re gonna sign him and win win win!”
Fans of twenty three teams: “Who cares? Another over-rated unproven Japanese player…”
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I find Ohtani a breathe of fresh air. He could have said screw it waited two years and cashed in. Whether or not he signs with the Dodgers, I don’t think he will, I hope he succeeds. There’s not much we know about him at the plate beyond he hits dongs and K’s. Really the scouting report sounds like a young power LH hitter who has adjustments to make.
I don’t know what he could be, but I think the sport is starting to open up the box on “myths” of what players can’t do. I think we’ve seen it with RP’s and everyday guys who can play multiple positions. It’s going to be interesting to follow his development. I’m guessing his decision to come over now and a couple of teams he’s considering has played an enormous part in that. Simply put if the kid can rake he’ll continue to receive ABs, if there’s no major financial obligation.
Mikel Grady
Come on Theo have Scott Boras make up a binder why cubs are best team for him to play for .
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Why would Boras make a binder for CAA?
JKB 2
Why would the need Scott Boras to make a presentation on behalf of the Cubs??? Huh?
terrymesmer
> [Texas Rangers are] at a disadvantage if Ohtani is favoring West Coast teams
Texas does play against three West Coast teams on a regular basis. Could that be a factor?
JKB 2
No that is not a factor