Well then you must think every athlete out there is silly, since they all consider different factors when signing with teams. Some free agents don't go to the Utah Jazz because they don't like the nightlife. Some free agents like NY/LA because they like the night life. Charles Barkley liked Houston in part for the strip clubs. Lebron and Roger Clemens went back to Cleveland and Houston because it was their home towns. Carlos Lee came to Houston partly because it was closer to his horse ranch. Gordon Hayward partly went to Boston because he was friends with the coach. Everyone has their own reasons for signing with teams. Again, I repeat, if you don't get that, I'd argue you're not very bright.
i get it just don't think it's as important. no chips in utah, barkley no chips, clemens got close but no chip, carlos lee stole money, so point stands. you can have stupid reasons for choosing a team and city.
I'm fairly certain they changed that rule just recently specifically bc of him. Teams aren't limited anymore from what I understand.
Teams are still limited. There wasn’t any change to the rules about team’s international signing bonus pool. If he came over in 2 years then teams would be able to spend as much as they want.
This is incorrect. They changed some of the posting fee rules, but the largest signing bonus Ohtani can get is just over $3.5MM. Once signed he's on a rookie contract. I think that's 3 pre-arb years at league minimum and 3 arb years.
They changed the rule, but almost exactly in the opposite direction. MLB team still has to pay posting fee ($20 MM maximum) to team in Japan to try to acquire him (only paid if he signs with that team). However, instead of him being able to sign for anything...he has to sign a minor league deal as he no longer is exempt from international free agent pool (changed age limit to 25 years old) and his signing bonus is limited to international free agent pool money.
What is even being argued? A - People can do whatever they want, and Ohtani can choose a team for any reason he chooses. B - People can judge others for anything they want, including what they value in life.
Don't get why he'd eliminate the Astros and not the Rangers... same with Cole Hamels too, what gives? We just one a World Series too, by the way.
Because being judgmental is usually a bad trait to have, especially when you don't know the full story. For all we know, Otani could have a girlfriend that only wants to live in these cities. There are other considerations besides your own when making life changing choices. Being on the West Coast may make it easier for his family or friends to visit him. I get that he's (going to be) rich but rich people don't want to spend extra money on things when there is a choice in the matter. Furthermore the weather in all these cities is way better (besides Dallas). There are millions of plausible reasons that he would prefer specific teams in those cities. If you don't actually know, then don't criticize.
I agree with you. I think Ohtani should go wherever he wants for whatever reason he wants, but people can have whatever opinion they want, regardless of if its a bad trait.
Upside to LA, Arlington, and Seattle being in the mix for Ohtani is that it may stall their offseason. The teams that have limited payroll (remember even though he will make squat himself, Ohtani will still cost whichever team signs him the $20M posting fee) might have to forego making other moves until they know Ohtanis final decision.
Astros - World Series Champs - are not even mentioned among the possible destinations. Maybe Gurriel's actions are playing a role.
He's friends with Darvish and Yu liked the Rangers organization as far as I know. He can offer recommendations with the franchise and city.
The Rangers, Cubs, and Padres have the most personal connections with Ohtani and the people closest to him. The Rangers scouted him heavily as an amateur. AJ Preller (now with the Padres) was with the Rangers at that time. The Mariners have Japanese owners, which is likely a primary reason (combined with their proximity to Japan) that they are considered the front runners. The Giants are playing on location (San Fran is close to Japan and has a huge Japanese population). The Angels and Dodgers probably have the smallest chance of getting him; they are in a huge market and lack the history/connections. In order, Id handicap it at Mariners, Padres, Rangers, Giants, Cubs, Angels, Dodgers. But of course I was all but certain he’d be a Yankee.
I'm don't see why he would go to a NL team. I know he can play in the field. But if a MLB team is going to let him bat regularly it makes a whole lot more sense to do so as a platoon DH than as a platoon OF on days he is not pitching. It also means freeing up practice time working on fielding, given how much time it will take to warm up as a pitcher and BP.
The only team that seems to meet all the requirements is Seattle unfortunately. Mid-size market, DH, West Coast. Rangers would be second in my opinion. If he truly does not want big city. Otherwise, I would say Angels are in the mix. In any case, he is assuredly going to be in our division.
If he truly wants to play both ways, I can't see an NL team. Playing the field consistently and pitching every 5th day, it seems, would be hard for any organization to agree to up front, whereas, a shot a dh would not.
