As young Japanese star Shohei Ohtani moves toward a decision on where he’ll sign, it seems he will sit down in person with representatives from each of the seven MLB organizations that have been selected to continue on in his unique posting/signing process. Those seven teams are the Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Padres, Mariners, Rangers, and Cubs. Ohtani will have to make his selection no later than December 22nd under the new posting rules established between Major League Baseball and Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
Those that wish to learn more about the exciting two-way performer may want to visit some of these prior posts:
We’ll track the latest updates on meetings in this post:
- The Padres met with Ohtani on Tuesday night, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. While that stage of the process is completed, the remaining steps and timeline are not yet known.
Earlier Updates
- Ohtani also held court with the Angels on Monday night, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports, meaning that he held at least three meetings on each of the past two days.
- The Mariners had their meeting with Ohtani this morning (Tuesday the 5th), Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports. Their delegation has yet to be identified. Likewise, the Cubs had a slot today, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (Twitter link), with no other details known of their presentation.
- Ohtani and his representatives also met with the Dodgers on Monday the 4th, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (Twitter links). Rosenthal notes that Ohtani’s camp is moving through the courtship process quickly and will have some days on which he meets with two prospective suitors in the same day.
- Officials from the Rangers went to L.A. for their turn to pitch Ohtani, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, with the meeting taking place on Tuesday evening. Texas has long coveted Ohtani, like many clubs, and sent GM Jon Daniels to Japan earlier this year as part of an early play to draw his interest. As Wilson notes, the organization has $3.53MM available in pool space for a bonus; while that may not be a very telling factor, it’s the most that any of the seven teams will be able to promise Ohtani.
- The Giants are the first known team to have met with Ohtani, and perhaps also the first actually to do so. According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, the San Francisco organization sent representatives to meet with Ohtani and his representatives today (December 4). All of the team’s top brass was on hand, with CEO Larry Baer heading to Los Angeles along with president of baseball operations Brian Sabean, GM Bobby Evans, and skipper Bruce Bochy. And the Giants had at least one top player attend, with superstar catcher Buster Posey joining the delegation. Pavlovic has more details on the team’s longstanding interest in Ohtani and its plans for him in the event he signs there. While the team can’t offer DH at-bats, Bochy has indicated that Ohtani would stand to see time in the corner outfield. (You can find Pavlovic’s full article on that subject here.)
With talk of Ohtani & Stanton the SF, their fans are probably going nuts.
STANTON-STL
Book it.
Cub fans are rooting for Stanton to go to the cardinals … terrible contract for a player who struggles to play 125 games/yr. Go Cards!!
Yes!
The whole 125 games a year thing really needs to go away….i have no skin in the game…but Id call a 90mph fastball to the face an outlier and not injury prone. Unless getting nailed is a skillset.
Agreed my friend, budget nightmares for years to come.
He will opt out after 3 years to go to the dodgers
Jason Hayward?
I am
BS! Cub fans wish they had Stanton
Ha! Heyward is the most overpaid
and overated player in MLB !
Ha! Touché!
The All overpaid, overrated All Star team:
1B Albert Pujols
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Jose Reyes
3B Kyle Seagar
SP Jordan Zimmerman
Catcher Matt Wieters
LF Alex Gordon
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
RF Jason Heyward
I think a player has to be well regarded to be overrated. Some say he is a good fielder/base runner, I don’t think it goes too much farther than that
You really put Reyes above Tulo?
Seager? Lol
The speech gave cubs a World Series. Worth every penny
Jason Heyward….terrible contract for a defense only player.
Stanton understands that STL is a toilet and won’t go there.
And on the 2nd string….Will Myers @ 1B.
JKim, sounds like Cubs fans are green with envy. Nothing new.
Nice to finally see ONLY one Yankee left on this list.
Big deal one winner in 110 years and they act like they are Kings of baseball. Hey even a blind squirrel finds an alcorn sometimes. I doubt Hayward made any difference. They would have lucked into it with or without him.
They always have been jealous of Cardinals continued success.
I’m not sure I”d put Pedroia on that list, or Gordon.
@sfg415sfc how do you come to the conclusion that Cubs fan are envious right now?
@themed yeah the Cubs lucked into it in 2016. Or maybe you were talking about 2015 when the Cubs bounced the Cardinals out of the playoffs? Sounds like Cardinal fans are the jealous ones now
Kyle Seager is most definitely not over paid
Nope. He’s a great player. He wouldn’t fit in their current situation. Too much money to take on when they gotta give Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, contreas extensions when they are up for one. My gut feeling is Bryant gets an extension done at the 2018 winter meetings. Being they are in Las Vegas. It would be fitting.
And Seager above Sandavol.
Never jealous of cubs. Cardinals with so many more Division Titles National League Championships and World Series appearances and Titles. Get a clue cub fans.
Overrated doesn’t hit 59 bombs in a season.
Choo DH
No budget nightmare for the Cards. Billion dollar TV contract kicks in, place is packed all the time. Revenue is up. This is not a contract that would hurt them.
Yea because he is a met again which means that they have made the mistake a second time.
You forgot a DH and Shin Soo Choo should fit that bill nicely!
I don’t think I’d put Pedroia on that list! His contract is very reasonable
Prob not Seager either!
Hey Eventually-what do you think? Reyes has what one great season? Look at the teams Reyes has been on and how many times he has been dumped. He’s a met through and through, like you.
And Peddy does a lot for he team with his Apple Watch too. There should be a factor in WAR for that, right?
@msjrn509…..the Marlins team execs would probably rather Stanton go to St Louis because their prospects are MILES better than the Giants, but Stanton MAY prefer the West coast of SF, who knows we will all see soon…….
They’re looking for payroll relief. The prospects don’t matter as much and there’s no way they’re getting both. They’ll deal with anyone willing to take on the money that Stanton approves the trade to.
And the Cardinals are leading in both areas. Better prospects and willing to take on more.
Not!
yes, we are.
Confirmed
Won’t get either
Will ya stop the book it bulls hit. So tired of seeing that. If comes to The Lou then great if not, Moe will have to target someone else other than JDM!!!!
Keep in mind Stanton has full day on where he goes. If the Dodgers don’t come knocking I highly doubt he’s going to jump at any team that hasn’t proven itself to be a competitor, which he has said. I really think there’s more to the Stanton fiasco then the Cardinals and Giants. Definitely more to come…
I doubt it
Is he going to see any OF time if the Giants get Stanton?
The Giants could stand two new outfielders in addition to Stanton …
absolutely he would, the other two OFers are span and Pence
Pence isn’t allowed in the same outfield as Ohtani unless his wife is present
Lol
Hahaha! That’s one of the funniest things I’ve read in a while.
Padres or Mariners
Book it.
Agree, don’t think SF is the right fit for Otani.
Tons of Asian fans in SF. Plus a bigger market for future endorsements. Of all teams I fear the Cubs getting him the most. Mariners make sense with Ichiro’s history there.
Too cold in Chicago in the spring and early October
Not just Ichiro. Mariners have had at least one Japanese player on their roster each season for the past 20.
Early October isn’t bad here in the Chicago area. We still get a good dose of 60s and 70s
Not to mention you can’t get rained out in Seattle, which is probably important to players with unique play schedules.
As an M’s fan, I always get so irrationally pissed at opposing teams when they get rained out on the road haha.
The town he lives in is snowy FYI
I have a sincere question. Does being Japanese necessarily appeal to a non japanese asian fan base? To me its a little like marketing a canadian to royals fans maybe…and it comes off a bit like wishful thinking. Id have to believe that the asian-american fan base in sf is sold on giants baseball more than anything….signing any player that helps them compete will appeal to the asian fan base…because maybe they are just, ya know….baseball fans.
If the teams are concerned about marketing ethnicity….the appeal is selling team merchandise over in Japan.
If Chicago weather was truly a concern to him, he would’ve dismissed the Cubs the other day along with all the other teams he dismissed.
That’s not the teams are going for. IMO, teams would be targeting people who aren’t really fans now. But if they had someone they felt they could relate to more, ie Ohtani, they would be more inclined to watch baseball, and in particular, the team that’s signs him.
“…you can’t get rained out in Seattle,…”
Not sure the rain out protection Seattle is much of an advantage over SF, the 2 LA teams, and SD. SF would have the biggest risk and they’ve had only 5 rain outs in the past 18 seasons.
It gets pretty nippy in the Land of the Rising Sun as well.
Ding ding ding. All these Japanese fans who watched Ohtani in Japan will watch him in the USA and buy jerseys and stuff and continue to support him.
You do know that they have snow
and cold weather in Japan as well ?
You’re like sexy me…from Reno huh? I think the cubs will get him because Chicago is nothing like Boston or NY…the fans in Chicago are so much more civil………………………………………………………………………………….not. Chris Duncan Zing!
And Davbee they have such an amazing post season record that it would appeal to any young player with determination to win a World Series.
Not.
Ohtani got presentations from 27 teams and has eliminated 20 to them. SF is on the short list. You don’t know anymore than I do what exactly Ohtani is looking for. What I do know, as should you, that all 7 teams on the short list are reasonable fits in some form or or another. But I think he’s clear in his head about what he wants and he’s smart enough to know which teams are reasonable fits.
Tad, sound logic. I’m shocked to find even a trace of that with these “fans”
I’m not sure he is clear. He was rumored to want to go to a team that doesn’t currently have a Japanese star, is an up and comer that he could help get to the Series, and in a small market. Yet his mix includes teams that meet that criteria and teams that don’t. He mostly wants to be on the west coast but two teams aren’t. Some use the DH. Others don’t. The only thing all these teams have in common is that they all train in Arizona.
Coast1…I think Ohtani himself is clear. I say that because of his words not the rumors. The Japanese star thing was “Jon Morosi tweets that executives from multiple teams are of the belief that Ohtani’s preference is to sign in a market that does not already have an established Japanese star, though Ohtani’s agents at CAA have not commented on that possibility.” Are these the same execs that were convinced the Yankees were frontrunners?
Same with up and coming team and small market…the writers said “execs believe” and in the case of small west coast Cashman said “it seems” that is what he wants. Ohtani never mentioned it, nor did his people.
As for DH…… “MLB.com: If you played in a league with no designated hitter, are there field positions you can play?
Ohtani: I have played in right field in the past, but I’m not sure how that would compare to an MLB team. Pitching is more of my strength. ” and he said……………”MLB.com: When you come to MLB, how important is it for you to continue both hitting and pitching?
Ohtani: I’m not really sure how the American managers and scouts would rate my hitting compared to the way I’m rated in Japan. I would like to do both if I can.” Even the “questionnaire” addresses that issue”
Going by his words from multiple interviews…I think he is clear.
To be fair, Cashman probably didn’t just make that comment up. He must have been told something to say what he said about a smaller market, west coast team being at an advantage.
Stevil…”To be fair, Cashman probably didn’t just make that comment up. My point is this…Ohtani didn’t say…people said things like we heard or we believe…or it seems like and it’s taken as gospel…just like…the NYY are the clear front runners.
Ohtani is a different breed and a different situation. He has been interviewed plenty of times over the past year about coming here… plenty of what he actually said is out there. I guess I am old-fashioned for taking him at his word.
Hey tad….he is very clear for a kid.
Padres? Really? Their only player is Wil Myers.
not in 3 years
It would be great if Ohtani met with these 7 teams in 7 days and maybe wrap this thing up later next week. Lot of exasperated free agents waiting in the wings for the hot stove season to finally get under way. I just hope this isn’t a pattern forming, like once Ohtani and Stanton are outta the way nobody does anything until Darvish signs, and then nobody move until JD Martinez signs.
I think its more likely the fact that the cardinals are still involved with Stanton and every free agent and trade partner is waiting because they know the cardinals are gonna be in on everyone especially if they dont get Stanton. They’ve said over and over how much they are going outta the way to improve the roster and spend money that evrery free agent wants them in on thier bidding to drive up the price.
“It would be great if Ohtani met with these 7 teams in 7 days and maybe wrap this thing up later next week.” I think he will…below is a translated, albeit poorly (thanks Google), quote from a Japanese paper on 11/30 or 12/1 I believe. Sorry forgot to copy the link
“Otani side who intends to not want to trouble the major transfer market already has information that it limits the candidate to about five teams, and the possibility of early settlement is high.”
Otani probably feel asleep at the negotiation desk when Bochy started talking. In his head was probably thinking, is this the manager of a baseball team or the voice of Joe from family guy. Lol
You really think a 23 year old from Japan would make that reference?
He could
I heard he waited in line to see an early showing of Ted 2…
The 7 teams that secured meetings probably offered an under the table arrangement in their proposal for him to get his money back… God that movie was terrible.
@Justinept……commissioner Manfred has already warned teams of heavy consequences if any illegal(by CBA) payment arrangements are made concerning Ohtani…….and in light of what just happened to the Atlanta Braves and their ultra tough sanctions, I am not sure that many teams will want to take that chance…….
You have no sense of humor. I think he was joking because of how bad Ted2 was.
Ted one was so bad that I cancelled a date to go to a baseball game when the second came out
When the truth comes out about his agent’s game playing and rule bending they will be de-certified.
I mean—why go through the process of asking for all of that detailed information from all clubs when he wants to play on the west coast?
And what map did they show him where the west coast includes Arlington and Chicago.
Haha. Good luck to the kid. However may the winner be forewarned that he should NOT be playing the outfield (for fear of ruining his arm on one bang bang play), he cannot play as often on the offense as he wants (as he is NOT Superman and his body will require rest and time to strengthen in between starts) AND not every Japanese pitching star translates to long, successful and healthy careers pitching in a 5 man rotation over 162 game season.
The bling (3 Rings) on Bochys hand kept him attentive. That and the best catcher in baseball.
You should definitely rethink the second thing you just said. Numbers will never lie, Molina is most definitely the best catcher in baseball.
Are you serious?
hahaha.
I am sorry. That was a completely uneducated way for me to say that. I feel as Molina is the best fielding catcher between the two. He has won a platinum glove before posey has, which I am not saying he won’t. Molina is just a better player in my eyes. Posey is just as great too, but I don’t have a chance to watch him everyday.
Glad you mitigated your statement somewhat. I do disagree though. I think maybe 5-6 years ago Molina was head and shoulders better as a receiver. In 2011-2013 Molina averaged a 10.3 Defensive Runs Saved, while Posey averaged only a 3.6. But Posey has since passed Molina in that regard. Over the last 3 seasons Molina has averaged a 3 DRS, while Posey has averaged a 7 DRS. Posey is a the height of his skills whereas I think Molina isn’t the catcher he was 5-6 years ago. Molina is a clear Hall of Famer, in my mind, and Posey is knocking on the door.
But the Padres have a young defensive Catcher Ohtani could play his whole career with.
Plus a fantastic Pitching Coach.
They also hired Hideo Nomo as a coach and believe it or not the Padres also employ Ohtanis’ Trainer.
They have been quietly laying the groundwork to entice this kid.
I have also heard that he prefers a smaller market rather than a large one which would certainly help S.D. over L.A. and S.F.
LOLOLOLOL
Not saying either one is better but defensive metrics have not yet found a way to measure true value of defense as a catcher, such as pitch calling, handling young pitching staff, all the variables that can’t be measured, cards pitchers have often out performed their projections since 2004. To long of a period to say that it is just coincidence or luck.
Molina used to be. Now he’s not even the best catcher in his division.. willson Contreras is better than Molina.. Contreras is right up there with posey. If Contreras didn’t get hurt in the 2nd half he would of gotten several MVP votes
Your delusional ! If and but my ass! Molina is still the best defensive catcher in MLB !
Anybody else feel the Stanton/Cards trade negotiations may ultimately lead to Ozuna or Yelich to the Cards instead
Nope.
Agree on nope. The Marlins aren’t going to trade away all their good players. They might be able to get their fans on board with trading Stanton but not everyone.
Ozuna to Cleveland…..please.
I think so. Im sure theyve already talked about it.
Yep. Especially if he says no to cards and giants and wants to wait it out for Dodgers. Marlins like the cards prospects.
How does a team serious about starting Pablo Sandoval, become a favorite for a guy who wants to hit and pitch? Don’t see it, Mariners got deal makers in the personalities of Cano and Cruz not to mention history on its side
Now that’s a very good point!
Because the Giants are praying that Arroyo can hit his way into the Opening Day lineup. Sandoval is Plan D.
Sounds more like plan A
D as in Diet Plan?
Please show me where the Giants have said to be serious about Pablo Sandoval being our3rd baseman? Ill wait..
I’m just going down their current depth chart. He is at the top.
yeah because teams don’t sign and/or trade for a third baseman in the offseason…
If they get Stanton they’re not signing anyone else this offseason.
The Giants? Stanton would likely be the beginning, because it would mean they are committed to putting together the best possible team in 2018.
If Giants do somehow convince Ohtani to sign, they need to play him at 3B on most days he’s not pitching. The thought of Sandoval as the everyday 3B just makes me physically ill.
Explain how Ohtani gets to hit with Cruz at DH. Scott Servais couldn’t manage Dae Ho Lee and Adam Lind in a platoon at 1st base – Lee did not get enough AB’s, so how do you figure that Ohtani is going to get AB’s over Cruz, when Cruz hit .288 with 39 HR and 119 rbi’s last year.
Lee, with his 102 OPS plus, was such a talent that he lasted one year in MLB. He got more than enough at bats to show he couldn’t hit righthanders, so his value was merely as a platoon against lefties.
My understanding is they would use one or the other in the outfield when he’s not pitching & God knows there outfield needs help
How do you figure SF is “serious about starting Pablo Sandoval” when they have cited 3B as one of their areas to be addressed? Not too biased are you?
I just can’t see him go to the giants. To be honest the angels and padres seem more likely, could be wrong but thats my gut feeling. Dont really see dodgers, mariners, rangers or cubs having what he truly wants.
The Mariners signed the best Japanese MLB hotter in history out of Japan. Why do you think they are out? Honest question.
I think the Ichiro angle could work against the Mariners. He said he wants to be in a smaller market, a bit out the the limelight. Going and playing in Ichrio’s shadow isn’t exactly congruent with that.
The Mariners actually won the bidding for Ichiro. Signing him wasn’t too difficult after that since no one else could bid against them.
I can’t fathom how you see LAA as more likely than Seattle. The M’s have that beautiful ballpark, while in Anaheim not so much. They have a history that the Angels don’t have, of successful Japanese players. But neither you nor I know how important those things are to Ohtani, the only guy whose opinion matters. Not a single person posting here knows exactly what the guy is looking for. The only thing to be deduced from what we know is that some of the known preferences are not written in stone, and the reasons factoring into his choice are complex
Take it your a mariners fan lol. Sorry but living in ichiros shadow and playing on an aging ball club isnt as glamourous as it may seem. I think the chance to play with trout and puljos make a stronger case. The angels are much closer to being competitive than the mariners are.
Wrong. I am not a Mariners fan at all. Actually, I live in the Bay Area and I’m a Giants fan. I’m hoping Ohtani picks the Giants, but I can see some attraction for him in all 7 locations.
I, unlike you apparently, am trying to look at the situation objectively. Now, if you feel like you’re more attuned to the issues most important to Ohtani than the rest of us, then go right ahead, be my guest.
And if you think that the Angels 2 more wins than the M;s in 2017 indicates they are far superior,to them then I will beg to differ. Not sure I would want to go to a team whose best pitcher was Parker Bridwell.
Ohtani may choose the Angels, it’s his choice and I am not privy to all his preferences. But all 7 teams have made the first cut. Citing one team over another based on the perceived strengths and weaknesses as regards a 23 year old Japanese ballplayer is hubris.
Hey Tad, care to comment on the strength of the previous post?
The Mariners are an aging team. Though Albert is a senior himself, several M’s are producing diminishing results in their twighlight descent including Cruz and Cano. The latter is one or two seasons from giving up his glove.
Now that was a BAD contract.
Rangers do work in one big way that the small market wants work for him. He doesn’t get bombarded with the press but is still in a large market, just small as far as baseball. With the Cowboys taking up most of the headlines he can get his start a little more under the radar and then once established be able to go where he wants. He could also conceivably be the star player when they open the new park in 2020/21.
Well we saw what that did for the Yankees and Red Sox.
I would like to see Ohtani signing with the Rangers. If he decides to play for another team I would like to see him playing for the Giants, Mariners or Angels.
Buster Posey would be a great help for Ohtani. It might be his best place to play in the OF. He could play some LF and Pitch.
What team has the best catcher out the 7???
HR derby Madison Bumgarner Vs Shohei Ohtani and maybe Stanton. Would be fun to watch.
I think the Cubs have a pretty good claim to having the best catcher in Willson Contreras and arguably the best core group of players under team control for the foreseeable future.
Contreras? Hahahaha!
Posey 2017 OPS .861 – WAR 4.0
494 AB, 62 R, 12 HR, 67 RBI
Contreras OPS .855 – WAR 3.9
428 AB, 50 R, 21 HR, 71 RBI
Anything else? Didn’t think so.
Where are the defensive stats?
And just to add on, Tribe boy should check out higher level defensive stats. Contreras was rated as the second or third best defensive catcher according to fangraphs with Posey nowhere to be found. Tribe boy may just like reading the back of baseball cards though and listening to mlb.tv and i’d Just be wasting my time.
I like how you say that as if it’s obvious. They are very similar, depending on what you value. I bet the other WAR source has it identical too.
I literally just don’t know who you are trying to say it’s a slam dunk for..
Have you ever seen Contreras’s arm are you kidding? Posey threw out 37% of runners and Contreras 27% so there is an edge there yes to Buster. If you wanted a catcher for the last 7 years you take Posey, prior 7 years Mauer, next 7 years Contreras.
And strictly, solely based on defense Molina of course at times in the last decade was your man. But that ship has sailed!
I actually think they are rather similar but Contreras is just getting started and posey has already peaked. But yeah they’re not all that different this was all just in response to the clueless “ha ha ha” response from the suffering tribe fan who made posey seem so superior. Then again getting beat in the World Series by the Cubs would make you a little bitter I suppose…
Did you forget about Gary Sanchez? I’ll take him for the next 7 years. Just hope learns to block better.
Let’s also not forget that Posey is past his prime and also spending a lot more time at first base these days.
Bleacherreport ranked catchers for overall performance based on WAR, DRS, Launch Angle, Exit Velocity, Plate Discipline, Pull Percentage, and Framing, Blocking, and Throwing. The notables are:
Contreras – 8th
Grandal – 6th
Molina – 4th
Sanchez – 2nd
Posey – 1st
bleacherreport.com/articles/2731242-mlb-position-p…
Wilson Contreras: -1 DRS, 23/84 runners caught stealing (27% right around league average), 13 errors.
Buster Posey: 2 DRS, 22/58 runners caught stealing (38%), 4 errors.
Also, Posey is rated as a much better pitch framer.
You don’t know that at all though. If you somehow had the magical power of knowing the best catcher for the next 7 years you would be top of the chain on one of these orgs. Stop being such a fan-boy and start getting rational. Buster Posey is easily the most valuable and coveted catcher in the MLB going into 2018. After 2018, who knows? You certainly don’t.
A lot of throwing out baserunners stealing is on the pitcher, not always the catcher. That’s part of what led to the whole Arrieta-Montero debacle earlier in the season (not that Montero is even capable of throwing out baserunners himself)
Maybe you should also look at the fact the Contreras was tied for the MLB lead in pickoffs.
Posey is great at this moment but for the length of Ohtani’s contract, I would take Contreras. The other difference is Posey is the star of the line up where as Contreras is just a supporting player to Bryant and Rizzo.
Posey will be 31. 31 might be passed prime in football and basketball, but not in baseball. Carlton Fisk caught 116 games at age 41, and 106 games at age 42. Fisk was 5 time all-star, won 3 silver sluggers, and g finished 3rd in MVP voting from age 31 until he retired. Yadier Molina is 4 yeras older than Posey is a one of the top 5 catchers in baseball. Posey is still in his prime
Posey is easily the better catcher right now, but Contreras is good and coming on.
Also, I think Posey’s bat might be too valuable to keep him at catcher as he ages. He’s caught over 1,000 innings once in his career. Only started 96 games at catcher last year.
Oh man, bleacher report!! It’s legit. You know what else helped them rank that??? Their opinions.
Lmao Posey is past his prime? Dude just hit .330 and plays gold glove defense. Tf are you on.
I think maldonado actually rated better than both defensively and won the gold glove.
Mauer? Hasn’t he been at 1stbase the last 3 or 4 years?
This is where the argument get ridiculous and it’s personal preference. Posey is the best overall catcher in this group and it’s not close. Defensively he can control a running game, call a game, and well we will say above average framing, and he can body a ball.
Contreras has a monster arm, he can body balls up, and is a offensive catcher. He’s a god awful framer and well his ability to call a game shall be seen.
Hedges is a terrific defensive catcher, but his hitting ability yeah that is completely suspect. He may never hit well enough, but defense will keep him in the big leagues.
The Dodgers set Grandal he can control a running game when given an opportunity and is up there framing wise, but bodying up balls leaves a lot to be desired. Offensively he is what he is. He going to hit dongs and is streaky. He’s going to miss time due to injury, but hey that’s catching.
Barnes well Barnes is defensively gifted. He’s a top frame, he can body balls up, he doesn’t have the strongest arm yet he does well in the use of it. He’s going to hit and has hit every stop. He has some pop, but not really a power guy mor so the high obp (gasp ba type). Yes I used it, but that’s who he is. Kind of in the same vein as Contreras time will tell if he can call a game.
But the use of offensive number alone and/or runners thrown out is kind of a farce to judging a catchers worth. It’s not as simple as dialing up a DRS formula for catchers. Posey is the best catcher in the group, Contreras long term probably is the best hitter long term, Hedges well he’s probably the best defender long term, and Barnes well he’s probably going to be the best all around C long term. Barnes won’t put up monster WRC+ numbers, or gaudy cs%, but he’s going to pretty much do it all at a different offensive profile. Now that said Contreras is new to the position and he could make that evolution to being a complete catcher and it would not shock me. That said Posey is the best of the group being discussed, but I guess we should ask for how much longer? At some point the bat is too valuable and continued long stretches at 1st most likely becomes the norm. And yes I know Belt is there.
Very well put all the way around.
1st line from Bleacher report LMAO – “The rankings were a simple judgment call.”
Contreras is good, no doubt. but Posey has averaged a 135 OPS+ for his career; Contreras a 120.
Contreras has one full season under his belt. Not a legitimate comparison.
Okay fine. Posey put up a 133 OPS+ in his first season and Contreras posted a 119 OPS+ last season. Plus Posey’s OPS+ last season was 129.
This. MANY players have had 1 very good year. Comparing Contreras to Posey who is probably the best C of his era is silly. Could Contreras be as good or better? Sure. But c’mon, 1 season.
“Could Contreras be as good or better? Sure.”
Absolutely. So many fans act like they have a crystal ball. Saying Contreras will be better in the future? Maybe. But maybe Austin Hedges emerges as the premier talent behind the plate. As much as I dislike the Yankees, Gary Sanchez could be the guy. He did have 16 passed balls, tied for the most in MLB, but that is something he can work to improve. He certainly delivers with the bat.
Maybe Posey pulls a Fisk and catches into his 40’s, or maybe he’s playing 1B year after next. The point is no one knows the future, There are a lot of very catchers out there, but in the now the gold standard at catcher is Posey.
The last 2 NL rookies of the year wear LA Dodger uniforms. They’re young core is pretty solid.
That core ain’t as good as you think.
You must be joking. We have most positions locked in for the next 3 years and flexibility to add wherever needed. With Ohtani, our TOR only gets stronger… even with Urias, Buehler, White and May still coming.
Your delusional !
Still can’t count the pads out. The giants are still considerably well off and still a big market team. He prefers small market. Padres would make him an ace while no matter what he would come second on the giants behind bumgarner
He’d be the Mariners’ ace too. Paxton is too unpredictable health-wise, and Felix is a #3-4 these days. Leake is a good mid-rotation guy.
Mariners Rotations as it stand Paxton, Leake, Ariel Miranda
Felix is only going to start every 6 days according to mariners, their going to limit his starts & Innings this yr and will be skipped a lot so he not exactly the ace anymore for past 3 season…
angels have him up top too, however they nor the mariners have a DH spot. additionally the angels have a far superior catcher(defensively) than the mariners, which is usually what upcoming pitchers look for. i’d say the angels may be ahead of the mariners, on paper. there is the fact of ichiro coming up through seattle, but then again if he doesn’t perform there he’ll be shamed for not meeting the bar ichiro set.
Maldonado was #2 and Zunino was #7. And Zunino is like #6 in defensive runs saved over the last 3 years for catchers. In no way is Maldonado “far superior” to Zunino, in any sense of the term. They are both top 10 in the league… I don’t think that is going to make a difference for Ohtani.
And, if you go overall, Zunino was worth 3.6 WAR vs . Maldonado’s 1.1 WAR.
Plus Hedges behind the plate for the next 8 years.
Darren Balsley as Pitching Coach.
Hideo Nomo is a Coach and they also hired Ohtanis’ Trainer.
Lastly I think he ends up in the NL.
Think about this……if he ends up a much better pitcher than a hitter he could end up not hitting at all in the AL.
In the NL even if his hitting is below average he would at the very minimum get to hit on the days he pitches.
So if he prefers the NL and a small market…….that’s San Diego.
Add in that his own Trainer is there…..well,Darkhorse for sure!
Nomo works in the front office and spend lot of time over seas.. Not exactly gonna be around Ohtani everyday..
If he cares about on;y the 2 things you cited, an NL team in a small market, you might be right. The thing is I think it’s way more complex than that. If a small market team were a huge priority he would never have short-listed CHC, LA, or SF. In fact, 4 of his 7 teams are in big markets.
Just comparing the differences in the 7 teams indicates Ohtani’s criteria are varied. If it was a simple as you paint it Ohtani would not be going through this whole selection process.
I predict the nippon ham fighters will trade ootani to the marlins for stanton.
Touche’
Isn’t that Rene Touché, the French Canadian closer?
Yeah, I bet he’s jumping through hoops to be a huge part in that long Mariners winning tradition. Bochy is HOF manager and Posey a HOF catcher. These two tremendous talents are tremendous representatives from a team that has won more in the last 8 seasons than any of the teams on his final 7 list. Bay Area offers massive economic opportunity, a rich and diverse cosmopolitan community, 50 years of history with Japanese players, a wonderful stadium with large fan base, etc. Local media are low key and reasonable and the franchise is loyal and never hesitates to pay their own (sometimes to a fault but one cannot question their loyalty). And they train in Arizona. Many attributes that make the Giants a tremendous destination.
I could say the Mariners offer a more potent history of Japanese players, better protection from rainouts, a community with strong eastern Asian influences, and more bonus slot money.
The Giants do have a winning tradition, but struggled recently too. Both stadiums are beautiful and impressive. Both cities offer non-stop flights to Japan.
If he really wants small market as Cashman *maybe* inferred, Seattle has that advantage as well.
You almost forgot…….98 losses last year. I may be wrong, but didn’t he say that he wanted to go to a contender?
“You almost forgot…….98 losses last year.”
If you’re referring to the Giants it was 97 losses. Don’t make it worse than it was, it was bad enough.
Ohtani woud make them a contender, but they will be a contender, even if they lose out on both Stanton and Ohtani.
Dude, if you’re going to correct someone, get it right.
Giants lost 98.
Did he? Then why is he considering the Padres and Rangers? Try again kid
” I may be wrong, but didn’t he say that he wanted to go to a contender?” Nope. That is speculation just like the NYY were the favorites to sign him…what he has said is……“There are still so many things I’m lacking, and I want to put myself in an environment where I can improve, hopefully I can go to a club that suits my way of thinking.” and……
“As long as I have enough money to be able to play baseball and am enjoying baseball, that’s all I’m asking for right now.” as well as….
“MLB.com: If you played in a league with no designated hitter, are there field positions you can play?”
Ohtani: I have played in right field in the past, but I’m not sure how that would compare to an MLB team. Pitching is more of my strength.
MLB.com: What are the most important factors in deciding on an MLB team?
Ohtani: The people on the team and in charge of the team is what matters most. I need to have a feeling of wanting to play for them.”
tremendous
Hoping it’s the Fathers who win the sweepstakes.
PS: how do I change username 🙁
With your keyboard?
Giants?! Dang, I was hoping the Vallejo Admirals would sign him, Ohtani wants a small market and apparently doesn’t care about money, last season’s standings, or even how bad a team is…but now he’s apparently too good for the Admirals. Dear Ohtani, where do you get off? Part of a balanced breakfast AND delicious? Who do you think you are? By now, you may have guessed I am speaking ironically and have nothing but good things to say about what you do. Ohtani, do not change a thing.
The most shocking thing is Stanton wants Ohtani want nothing to do with the Yankees. This would be unthinkable if King George were still alive.
If the Giants are able to pull of the Stanton deal, with the players reported, and pick up Ohtani it would be give them a good core. They would need to pick up some decent vets to put around them.
Dude the whole damn team are vets. Troll
I can’t stop thinking about the line from Major League 2 …. “….not those Giants”
Giants will play below 500 with Stanton and Ohrani. Dought they get either they will finish last in NL west.
great analysis! you really brought valuable insight to the conversation.
Well luckily your personal hate for the Giants won’t be a factor in how good they could be. The idea of the Giants getting Stanton, Ohtani, or both, and being a contender, must be truly upsetting for you.
Your spelling skills are in a drought
It’d be great if Giancarlo crashed the meeting and sealed both deals.
Hensley Meulens, the Giants bench coach speaks Japanese. Hopefully that factors in a bit.
Which team signed the first Japanese born player in 1964 ?
Look it up
Giants
Ohtani has said he prefers a smaller market and he doesn’t really want to go to a team with a history of great Asian players.
He wants to be the guy.
Big fish in a small pond and not compared to other great Japanese players.
This would not give LA,Seattle or SF a leg up…..it would actually hurt their chances.
If the small market preference was so important neither SF nor LA would have made the cut.
Seriously. People are sating Ohtani said this and said that. At this point none of what he has “said” – and did he really say all this, or is it just speculation?
He has narrowed his list down to 7 teams for a reason. If he wasnt interested in the LA or SF market then we wouldnt have been on the final 7, would we?
^^^^ This ^^^^
“Ohtani has said he prefers a smaller market and he doesn’t really want to go to a team with a history of great Asian players. He wants to be the guy.”
But…he never said that…..”MLB.com’s Jon Morosi tweets that executives from multiple teams are of the belief that Ohtani’s preference is to sign in a market that does not already have an established Japanese star, though Ohtani’s agents at CAA have not commented on that possibility.
mlbtraderumors.com/2017/12/shohei-ohtani-rumors-fr…
Remember it was also baseball execs who said the NYY were most likely to sign him.
94 comments on an article about Ohtani and not a one from an East Coast fan crying about their team being unfairly snubbed??? It’s a miracle!!!
Why antagonize people who have behaved themselves? I only saw Yankee fans making any kind of fuss or showing self entitlement.
gozurman1 said: 94 comments on an article about Ohtani and not a one from an East Coast fan crying about their team being unfairly snubbed??? It’s a miracle!!!
My bad……..could not help myself……
If The Giants do get Ontani, they’ll have a really good 1-2-3 on the top of their rotation, assuming Cueto has a bounceback year. I think he will., since injuries kinda hurt his chances in 2017.
Nice to see the Angels are still in the mix for Ohtani. If he decides to sign with the Angels he would have one of the best up the middle defenses behind him with Trout in CF, Simmons at SS, Maldenado catching and a new 2nd baseman ( Gordon maybe ) .
Also because of the injuries from the starting staff from last year he could be part of a 6 man rotation seeing how no starter projects to pitch more than 150 innings in 2018.
Richards
Ohtani
Skaggs
Shoemaker
Heaney
Bridwell or Ramirez
With over 50 million in salary available this year the Angels can add a 3rd & 2nd baseman either by trade or free agent to make a run at the West in 2018, 2019 & 2020 while Trout is still under contract. Maybe even add a top of the order pitcher like Cobb from the Rays..
Pujols has had over a year now to recover from his last surgery, hopefully he will be able to play 1B at least half the games and allow Ohtami to DH the games he pitches and the games Pujols plays 1B. Win Win ……
If they get Ohtani, I don’t see them going after another starter. With Jim Johnson also in the bullpen now, the Angels will focus on 2B and probably either a LHH 1B (Morrison or Duda) with Pujols or a RHH 3B (Frazier or Nunez) to platoon with Valbuena!
Gordon is not a free agent!
Dude
You ain’t going to get nothing good from a trade
In case you didn’t know but your team has the worst farm in the al
just because the angels have nobody in the top100 doesn’t mean their farm is barren. for all you know, all of their top 30 could have been close calls for the top 100 but ultimately ruled out.
No, actually, the Angels are perpetually in the bottom 5 every year in regards to their farm system.
Skaggs would be the odd man out. There is no way he gets a rotation start over Heaney Ramirez Bridwell or Shoemaker. Tulo and Cargo thinks he is injury prone. Not to mention he isn’t that good anyways.
SNL should do a skit, where some teams rejected by Otani become obsessed with him and beg for his services. They call him 50 times a day and hang up, send him flowers and chocolates, and creepier things like photos they snapped of him in the shower.
I miss chase belushi and Eddie Murphy. Back when snl was funny
I’m terrified, as a Mariners fan, it’s going to be the Padres.
Why would you be terrified? The only time the Mariners are going to play the Padres would be inter league.
I hope you’re right
Mariners just keep spending money on no direction
This is turning into a season of the bachelor…I’m just glad my Dodgers got a rose and advanced to the semi final round
Didn’t know the Bachelor brought back the previous season’s losers.
savage
Ohtani won’t sign with Seattle because he knows DiPoto will trade him within the year anyway.
Just he like he traded Cano, Cruz, Seager, Felix, Gamel, Haniger, Diaz, Paxton, Lewis, Zunino, Vincent and most of the team.
Haniger actually was a trade haha
He didn’t trade him though, so was Gamel and Vincent.
Joke
You
These meet and greets almost seem like a formality if he is seeing two teams in a day. Making this large a decision and then “flying” through the interview process seems odd. It will be interesting to hear which team(s) he sits down for a full day with. That/those would be the team(s) I would think have the best shot at signing him.
The speed of the process kind of makes you wonder if his mind is made up and his pepole are just putting on a show. Considering how some early candidates reacted to missing the cut, that might be the way to go, IF he’s already made up his mind.
Since he’s holding up all seven teams from preparing for the Winter meetings that begin on the 10th, maybe we’ll know his choice by the end of the week. I can’t imagine him taking it to the deadline December 22. At least he HAS a deadline, unlike Stanton.
It’s almost as if he’s been negotiating with clubs and already has his mind set and an “agreement” under the table already and now this is all just song and dance to circumvent the posting process and appear above board. I wouldn’t be surprised if he signs a significant extension rather quickly.
My top 3 likest teams he’d go to: Mariners, Padres, Giants.
Wow expert analysis thanks bub
So this is a site that talks about baseball where none of us are experts so you decide to troll a guy for giving his opinion. Nice.
Lol
Can’t beat the cost, but will Ohtani be the next Mark Appel/Tsuyoshi Nishioka depending on which busts first pitching/hitting.
Worth the gamble at the price.
The “2 way player status”will die quickly in the majors and Ohtani will focus on pitching. That is where his main value will be, it will just take a season or two to convince him.
I agree with Vizquel. Which is why I think the Padres are serious contender for Ohtani. They can afford to give him a year or two
Yeah nothing to lose.
Two way player is Ohtani’s main goal.
latimes.com/sports/la-sp-shohei-ohtani-hernandez-2…
I think he will probably shorten to the list to 2-3 teams, and visit each next week and then make the decision.
He is hoping to announce his signing at the Winter Meetings. They start on the 1oth.
It’s actually very interesting that he met with Giants and Dodgers yesterday, Mariners, Rangers and Cubs today and then will be meeting with Padres and Angels tomorrow.
I believe he is really down to Padres and Angels. The reason being is that there has been alot of speculation that because of AJ Preller that Shohei Ohtani might pick the Padres, especially since he wants a west coast, small market team. Angels aren’t in a big market even with the Los Angeles attached to them. Orange County is really the little brother to Los Angeles.
Angels give him a good chance to start and DH with AP becoming healthier that he will be able to hand 1B for 3 or 4 times a week so Ohtani can DH when not pitching. Why wouldn’t he want to play with the best player in the game and the best hitter of this generation, along with having a great defense behind him when he is on the mound.
That’s just how it feels like it’s playing out, but I know I could be wrong!
The Mariners can also let Ohtani pitch and DH on his off days.
yes they could but it also seems like he wants to create his own legacy, and not live off of Ichiro’s
sure, but if he wasn’t willing to budge off of that, he probably wouldnt have given them an interview
If he comes to Seattle, and we make the playoffs his first year, and eventually takes us to the World Series, he will have a bigger legacy than Ichiro, Felix Hernandez and Robinson Cano combined. The Mariners has never been to a World Series, if he helps the M’s win one, he will be on Griffey Jr level, although I don’t think anyone will get there for a long time.
sorry to burst your bubble, but the mariners aint going to the world series anytime soon with or without Ohtani
There are a lot of teams that ain’t going to the World Series anytime soon
Hate to say it but neither are the Yankees
Indians, astros, bosox are all in the mix from the al as well.
Padres are not going as well… to include about 10 minus let says
Cubs, doyuers, nats (if they get out of the first round) cardinals etc
But yeah mariners are not going to the World Series anytime soon
They need pitching
The need defense
They need depth (which they don’t really have)
Saying “team x” won’t go to the series soon is always very likely and also very uninformed at the same time.
Angels payroll says something different (small market) pfft
show me evidence where he has ever said he watnts a small market team. if you read comments above this one more than one person have said that him wanting a small market club is PURELY SOECULATION
Sounds like this could be wrapped up quicker than expected. He will have met all the teams on his list by tomorrow. Maybe we will know where he’s going by next week. Let’s hope so.
He probably already met with Padres as well. Maybe a decision in the couple days.
Crazy that he met with all these teams in two days. I wouldn’t doubt that he did after reading this last update. Sounds like you’re right, might be a decision within the next couple of days. I hope so. Would like to see where he goes and would like to see the rest of the offseason kick into gear already. I think whoever gets him has upgraded their roster significantly
Sets up Winter meetings pretty well if he signs by Friday.
Saving the best for last. The Padres. Pretty sure he already knew but wanted to give other teams one last chance. He respects Nomo and Saito a lot from what I’ve read.
So this leaves the Pads for tomorrow? Hmm… kinda odd that he left just one team for tomorrow (didn’t split them). I wouldn’t be surprised if he met with all teams today. Preller and his team are always secretive about trade rumors, etc..
Who knows maybe they actually have a shot… what do you guys think?
Yeah, Dennis Lin confirmed that the Pads get their turn tomorrow. Interesting!
He may have met with the Padres earlier, we don’t know.
Well then I guess the Padres are tommorow.
It’s Some kind of nice
Well I was right the first time.
I like it
Js
His first choice last to see what everyone had but maybe his first choice (padres) don’t win him over like let’s say the expos did
Just kidding you know Nomo will be there tomorrow a childhood hero to him
Yea I’m not looking at over 200 comments to see the newest. Race rumors should put the newest up top not at the bottom.
Trade rumors*
…. you do realize you can click on the “newest” button and it will sort the comments accordingly, right?
The app doesn’t have that feature.
He’s signing with the cubs. Although they don’t offer DH, cubs have maddon who loves to mix things up and will easily find him 300 ABs. And the cubs are very young and ohtani himself would fit in easier and he won’t be the main guy with kb, Rizzo, Lester, quintana, Hendricks and Contreras all there. He’d have one of the best 3 catchers in the game to pitch to as well.
I sure hope you are right. Would be a helluva luxury to have.
Doubt that dude
Where’s the update
And the winner is ….Seattle Mariners!
I figured he met with Padres last night.
Cubs will get Ohtani and Darvish… rotation set. Heyward becomes a late inning defensive replacement for the duration of his stay.
Nope
They are the longest shot of all according to reports
Odds on favors are 5/2 padres 5/1 mariners
Whatever Ohtani’s decision will be, he sure is moving fast. I’d have figured, if you are willing to give up many millions by spending a few extra years with the team, you’d better want to make sure that the fit is good…but maybe he has very clear idea of what he wants anyways. If things go like they have, we’ll know The Answer by the week’s end, if that late….
Scouts still believe Otani will be signing with the Yankees.
Scouts have been known to be wrong too. The can lead people across streets, tie knots and sell either popcorn or cookies depending on what kind of scouts they are too., 🙂
The best is when they get cited in articles saying that, but then the article makes no mention of it whatsoever. nypost.com/2017/11/22/scouts-are-conflicted-on-wha…
Yes maam, my cousin-uncle Jack scouted Ohtani and he said that he is big city…this whole no Yankees thing is just a big tickle if you ask me. It will be like that youtube of the man hugging a lion…Ohtani will be like oh snap is they gonna eat me…and Cashman will be like nope here I come to give you kitty licks.
just telling all these teams that the Yankees won
Headline says he is done, post says he is still meeting. Is it only the headline updated?
im sure it will be the cubs
Every team has selling points. How can you be sure?
Not…why are cubs fans so arrogant…then they complain that cards fans are arrogant. I miss the low self esteem cubbies of a couple years ago.
im not a cubs fan but a white sox fan. i just have a feeling thats all bro.
ahhh we agree then…the cubs ain’t no good! Go White Sox!
What about the name drewsox made you think he was a Cub fan? You Cardinal fans are terrible
Padres connections:
I just read that Hideo Nomo’s (Working for Padres) son is Ohtani’s interpreter. You think the Padres might have some inside information?
Yeah. I think there’s already an agreement in place for the Padres. Probably has been for a while. I think the whole “small market west coast team” was just smoke and mirrors to narrow it down and hide any collusion that the commissioners office might sniff out. He’s already decided.
If so, that’d be exactly the sort of thing that’d get the deal (were that to happen) voided and the FO people coppolellaed. I don’t think any FO would risk something so foolish.
I heard in chat room he will be entrenched in Padres rotation
An AL team can give up the DH for a game, right?
So the AL team, without question, has more to offer.