We’ve already had one morning roster move, and here are three additional things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Ohtani to undergo testing:
On the heels of the two-way superstar’s agent discussing his client’s UCL injury with reporters, Shohei Ohtani exited yesterday’s game due to oblique discomfort. Manager Phil Nevin described Ohtani as “pretty sore” (as relayed by MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger) and while Sam Blum of The Athletic notes that the club did some preliminary testing last night, Nevin didn’t have enough information to share much of anything else.
With Ohtani already done pitching for the year and his agent indicating that some sort of elbow surgery is inevitable for him, even a relatively mild oblique strain could potentially see Ohtani’s season come to an end with so little time on the calendar remaining and an impending surgery looming. Even if Ohtani has suited up for the final time this season, he’s a strong candidate for the AL MVP award; in 599 trips to the plate this season, he’s slashed an incredible .304/.412/.654 — all while also posting a 3.14 ERA and 31.5% strikeout rate in 132 innings while on the mound.
2. Eovaldi to return:
Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is set to take the mound in Arlington for this evening’s game against the Astros. It will be Eovaldi’s first appearance in the big leagues since he went on the injured list with a forearm strain shortly after the All-Star break. The 33-year-old veteran’s return figures to be a massive boost to the Texas rotation, which added both lefty Jordan Montgomery and veteran ace Max Scherzer in his absence. In 19 starts prior to his injury this season, Eovaldi pitched like an ace in his own right, with a 2.69 ERA and 3.23 FIP in 123 2/3 innings of work. Eovaldi’s return could indicate the end of either right-hander Dane Dunning’s or lefty Andrew Heaney’s time in the rotation, though it’s also possible the Rangers could opt for a six-man rotation down the stretch in hopes of preserving the health of their veteran arms for a hopeful postseason run. Eovaldi himself could be on a pitch count early on; he’s been throwing bullpen sessions but is returning from a roughly six-week absence without making a minor league rehab appearance.
3. MLBTR Chat:
The end of the season is fast approaching, and the league’s 30 clubs are all pushing full steam ahead into the stretch run. While some teams are already looking ahead to 2024, many are focused on the current pennant chase, with more than half the league still boasting 20% or higher playoff odds, per Fangraphs. If you’re curious how your team will hold up over the season’s final month or what their plan for the future is, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is hosting a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
Probably for the best for Ohtani. I cannot imagine swinging a bat as hard as you can is healthy for your elbow.
He won’t be pitching at all in the 2024 season. If he elects to take the Harper route and has the surgery today, he can return as a DH for the 2024 season by mid march-ish barring any setback. Contract-wise, I wonder if he’d take a short, high AAV type contract, and try to prove himself as a pitcher again. Maybe 2yr/100 mil?
Id – I said a few weeks ago 1/50 which since he isn’t pitching at all why let 2025 add another year to his age before FA.
Sounds like a fair option to me. I don’t see 10/500 offers from multiple teams right now for competition. Especially with the belief that NY is not a consideration.
The answer to that question is no. Ohtani is going to sign a huge contract over a very long period of time. Even as just a hitter it will be a couple years longer and at a bare minimum the same AAV as Judge signed.
So if he thinks he can pitch for 5 more years or convert to a closer, you don’t think his long term contract value would be higher next year?
Yeah, if he is resigned to only being a great DH he is back tk being “just a hitter” and gets 30-35 mil per year.
As a pitcher he is 50 mil per year or maybe 150 mil more over a 10 year contract.
I just don’t see 10/500 right now due to injury.
Ok, 10/350 -400 if you like it but if you wait a year and recover from surgery it’s right back to 10/500 AND you got 1/50 for 2024.
Disagree. I don’t think any team is going to pay him just as a hitter. Teams know he’ll be back as a pitcher and aren’t likely to low-ball him. This will likely be his last contract. I think it’s going to be at least $50m a year, if not more. He’s a generational player. They don’t come along that often.
Avenger there is one thing that you aren’t considering which since you aren’t the one writing the checks I’ll give you a pass.
Mike Tomlin has said often: “his best ability is his availABILITY”
Most of those guys they are writing the checks are going to be very concerned about that pitching arm before they offer a long term deal at 50 mil / year before they know he can pitch at least 1/2 of that contract.
Ohtani would not get $50 million AAV even if he had not been injured. Around $45-48 million AAV is what all the writers and talking heads on MLB Network and ESPN have been saying he would get.
10/400 is the bottom end as a hitter only. With 2024 being his age 29 season, 12 years is not out of the question. That would take him through his age 40 season.
Because he is such a huge marketing bonus for any team that signs him, a record AAV of $43.5 million is not out of the question either.
Because a large number of teams will be bidding on him, 12 years/$500 million is still a realistic contract even if he doesn’t pitch again.
Lmfao. He is a top 5 hitter over the past 3 seasons. He is hitting FA in an offseason where there are no comparable hitters. He gets paid huge $ even if he never pitches again.
One thing to remember when comparing him ‘as a hitter’in contract values….
He is ONLY a DH.
He doesn’t field. Most ‘hitters’ are paid to play a position on the field as well.
Comp him to DH-only contracts, then add for whatever pitching value you see him having, and then give whatever bump an extra reliever spot if worth to you.
His ‘as a pitcher’ value needs to include that you STILL need to carry 5 other SP, as ohtani only works as a 6th man and demands 5-day rest periods between starts.
Seems like Ohtani is risking further injury by continuing to play essentially for little to no benefit to him or the Angels….and regardless of how positive his agent spins his abilities to come back quickly a potential new suitor is and should be concerned about his physical condition forward….pay him for DHing, pitching…both only hitting…etc.a second TJ is and should be concerning and counter to most commentary opinions, there is no guarantee that TJ surgery automatically brings you back at least yhe same if not better than before.
He won’t get paid like this and would never agree to it, BUT:
Pay him to be one of the ten best hitters in the game (so $25 million) and then throw in an incentive per inning pitched, like $100,000. Adjust it for Saves/Holds if someone makes him a reliever so someone doesn’t make him a closer just to0 save $7 million-ish
> Pay him to be one of the ten best
> hitters in the game (so $25 million)
FYI—Alex Bregman is the 10th highest paid hitter in 2023 at $30.5MM.
Is he really? That’s interesting. Going to Google to see who besides Stanton (no), Judge (yes), and Trout (not anymore) can keep up with Ohtani. Learn something new every day.
I just think it’d be $25 million because no one is going to give him Ace and MVP money, something like $85 mil/year
Yeah, I was surprised to see Bregman that high.
Source: spotrac.com/mlb/rankings/
Sometimes it’s very difficult to tell what commenters on this site know or do not know. I think Ohtani can earn $40 million a year as a hitter alone. Who knows, time will tell us.
He’s MVP this year. Should have been last year.
I agree with that
Unrelated, but the top 100 of that list…. Yikes….
Last season Judge was epic. Despite Ohtani pitching and hitting, his combined WAR was still under Judges.
Massive overpay for a career .276 hitter that Bregman is…..he fits in Houston with their supporting lineup but couldn’t be “the man” on most of not any other team…..given what Bregman makes, Ohtani should make double because he would be “the man” on any other team given his offensive gifts……
Rocky7,
Are you related to Rocky07? You even…..type the same…..
BS. Judge hitting them out of “little league park”. Last year was weird. He actually didn’t get injured.
And oh, what was judge’s ERA, as well as stole bases in k’s ( different for Ohtani), triples etc?
You may just want to go ahead and look at Judges stats last year. Ohtani was great last year but Judge was on another planet and it didn’t matter where he was playing (hit more home runs away than at home).
And, most importantly, Judge plays for the Yankees, who the press live. If he played for KC or Detroit or any other team that the networks hate to put on their schedule, Judge might have second best to Ohtani.
The Cardinals have two hitters making over $25 million per year. Ohtani’s floor is more like $32 million just as a hitter.
His floor is Judge’s AAV
Don’t see the Angels re signing Ohtani. My question is. Do the Angels care a little less that Ohtani is hurt?
1. Guy’s washed up. He’ll be back in Japan in a few years pitching for his old team, Nippon Ham. Buh Bye!
2. Another washed up talent focused on throwing the ball extremely hard instead of learning to pitch. I honestly don’t feel feel bad, though, as he did get guaranteed money while injured but analytics nerds and management promote the idea of hard throwers that may or may not last in the bigs and most of them don’t so there is no major risk to owners. A few of them might sign big contracts but in the big picture, it’s nothing, given that fans continue to pay higher prices for tickets, parking, food and beverages.
You must have been top of your class in gpa.
@findingnimmo
What does that have to do with the topic at hand?
A lot really.
@vtadave
Okay… but you’re not able to explain yourself.
Old York: Nippon Ham FIGHTERS.
Is this satire or for real ?
@Dustyslambchops23
My take. Where is your take?
It’s fitting your name is ‘York,’ because you’re a total peppermint patty.
@briar-patch thatcher
Why would you be using personal insults? I gave my take if you don’t like it, no need to read what I write.
@rocky7
Honestly, I look forward to being wrong and him pitching and hitting as a superstar and then those individuals can come on here and tell me how I was so wrong. Do I care? Not really. By then, I’ll ahve forgotten about it and enjoying my life while they’re probably keeping notes of every person’s post so they can get short-term pleasure with the Gotcha moment. Haha!
#2 is definitely on the money. Not sure about #1 but I think he is done pitching. It was inevitable that it would happen one day, I just don’t think anyone thought so soon.
@This one belongs to the Reds
I appreciate the thoughtful response.
He’s 29 years old lol
@Dustyslambchops23
Mark Prior was 25 when he couldn’t pitch anymore.
Ah so Ohtanis 480 mlb IP after his 25 birthday is already way ahead of Mark Prior. Thanks for making my point
@Dustyslambchops23
You said Ohtani was 29, so are you suggesting he’s still young or too old? Which is it?
I’m suggesting that your argument that a 29 year old is done because of an arm injury is complete trash.
ryu is 7 years older and just made it back. Bringing up Prior just shows you how bad your argument is that you had to go back 20 years to find an example, it’s an exception not a rule. You’re just an old crank with bad points
@Dustyslambchops23
It’s his second arm injury and might need as second TJS. He’s 29, going onto 30 and it’s a flip of the coin how the comeback happens. Nathan Eovaldi has been the one major pitcher with double TJS that still functions at a high level but I’m banking on it not happening for Ohtani. He might end up being a RP instead of the starter.
Old York: I don’t know if you’re trying to get attention by stirring things up, but the bottom line is, what you wrote is your opinion, and you’re entitled to it.
Instead of “learning how to pitch?” He has six pitches. He learned how to pitch AND he throws hard. If he never got hurt, nobody would be criticizing his approach.
@myaccount2
You can have 100 pitches but if you’re always focused on throwing the ball instead of pitching, you’re a thrower not a pitcher. Many of the long duration pitchers stayed in the bigs because they didn’t chuck the ball as fast as they could all the time. What a bunch of jokers nowadays.
Great pitchers have always thrown hard fastballs. Verlander has stayed pretty dang healthy in his career and once maxed out at 102.
Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Bob Feller, Dwight Gooden, and Steve Carlton all either maxed out over 100 or threw over 95 MPH on average.
Scientific research suggests Walter Johnson threw 100 MPH at his peak, Cy Young averaged 95-97 on his FB, and Lefty Grove is said to have thrown the fastest of his era while also having some of the craziest breaking ball stuff.
My point being: what separates a pitcher from a “thrower” when a guy can throw at near 100% effort and still demonstrate break, control, and command? Ohtani does pretty much all of those things, he just hasn’t had the health luck that some of the guys listed had.
myaccount2: I agree with the speed that all of all of those great pitchers threw, but I wonder about Cy Young. In his day, put hers threw underhand after a couple of wind-ups. It was also the dead ball era. aThe only way to justify the seed of his pitches would be softball. Some pitchers can throw 100 mph even throwing underhand. Another note: people talk a out records that are going to fall. One that will never be approached is Young’s 500+ wins.
> 1. Guy’s washed up.
Why do you think Ohtani’s washed up? What about his performance this year makes you think that about him?
Remember when the writers kept saying Justin Steele wasn’t an ace during their chats? Or how about how Bellinger wasn’t back….
Its going to be interesting how they handle him in the final month and playoffs. His 152 innings this year is a career high(previous was 119 last year).
Didn’t seem to bother him mowing down the Giants yesterday.
drasco936: What does that have to do with Ohtani or Eovaldi? Are you starting an irrelevant thread just to get attention?
If you don’t understand the conversation, maybe you should stay out of it…. I’m not going to dumb anything down and/or explain the relevance to you.
Ohtani’s agent: “He will pitch again”.
translation: Show me the money.