Shohei Otani

[ThisIsMyCrew]

What are the chances the Brewers make a hard play for this young man? 23 years of age and can really throw the ball. He may need a little time fine tuning in the pro’s, but has incredible upside. Other than the $20 million fee to get him (always easier when it’s not my money), he would be rather inexpensive.

 

When i look at his highlights, I see a future ace. Justin Verlander type. Not to mention we could have a little fun with some two way action. Goes along with Sterns approach to find talent in all places, even some we don’t expect. Interested to see what everyone’s thoughts were on him!

[TURBO]

Big market teams will go BIG on him, leaving small market teams like Milwaukee out in the cold.

 

Would be nice to go all in on the guy, but the allure of the YankeesRed Sox/Etc. and/or West coast teams isn't going to allow it.

[BrewCrewBlueDevil]

All international free agents should have to enter the MLB draft and players should not be able to sign until they are 18 years old.

[Jenkins5]

I big markets can go big on him outside of Rangers at 3.5 million. Brewers can go 800k.

 

Big markets can get him more endorsements to offset money. I think comfort is the biggest deal. Some players don’t really want the big market. He has same agent as Braun & Nelson. Be interesting to see what happens. Every team is wants him

[DocLuna7]

I haven't really looked deeply into this, but I would guess that Milwaukee ranks somewhere in the middle of the pack for having guys from Japan play for the team. Obviously the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mariners have really jumped into the Japanese market over the years. That being said, for a medium/small market franchise and city it is kind of interesting that we have had six guys (Nomo, Nomura, Saito, Suzuki, Aoki, and Ohka) play for the franchise. Not that it's particularly relevant here but at least there is some precedent.

[OnaBadger58]

I haven't really looked deeply into this, but I would guess that Milwaukee ranks somewhere in the middle of the pack for having guys from Japan play for the team. Obviously the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mariners have really jumped into the Japanese market over the years. That being said, for a medium/small market franchise and city it is kind of interesting that we have had six guys (Nomo, Nomura, Saito, Suzuki, Aoki, and Ohka) play for the franchise. Not that it's particularly relevant here but at least there is some precedent.

Hopefully TPlush put in a good word for us

[brewcrewdue80]

This was being discussed in the Draft/International Talent Thread.

 

In order the teams with the most money to offer Ohtani:

Rangers, Yankees, Twins(now that they voided a 3mil signing), Pirates, Marlins, and Mariners.

 

All other teams would be offering less than 1million to him, though I'd assume a team could trade for some extra allotment considering Rangers/Yankees, Twins have over 3mil to spend and Pirates over 2million.

 

MLBTR also posted an article on extending Ohtani that that process can not be discussed to influence a signing. IF/when an extension is made, depending on the amount/time that it is signed could give MLB indication that this rule wasn't followed.

I had assumed, "what keeps a team like the Yankees from signing him to the limitations, and then giving him say a 7yr 70million deal?"

 

We'll see what happens if/when that happens.

[KCBrewerfan34]

I don't think this deal is about the money

[TURBO]

Latest:

 

"According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, there are significant hurdles to clear for the MLBPA to approve the $20 million dollar posting fee system for Shohei Otani.

The report states that the MLB commissioner's office was hoping to to receive approval from the union on Wednesday, but it didn't happen. Here is what Heyman writes: "The union actually challenged the future terms covering 2018-2020, but with complaints heard on the player side regarding current rules that calls for Nippon Ham cashing in with a $20 million posting fee windfall while Otani is limited to a signing bonus of somewhere between $300,000 and $3.53 million, management people wonder if the bigger union concern is over that perceived inequity." It's been widely reported that finances are not a major factor in Otani's desire to play for a major league team, but the players union appears to be doing their due diligence while not setting a precedent for a future talent like his if/when they come along. The pursuit of Otani by MLB clubs can't get underway until this is settled.

Source: FanRag SportsNov 15 - 11:06 PM"

[FVBrewerFan]

I haven't really looked deeply into this, but I would guess that Milwaukee ranks somewhere in the middle of the pack for having guys from Japan play for the team. Obviously the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mariners have really jumped into the Japanese market over the years. That being said, for a medium/small market franchise and city it is kind of interesting that we have had six guys (Nomo, Nomura, Saito, Suzuki, Aoki, and Ohka) play for the franchise. Not that it's particularly relevant here but at least there is some precedent.

Hopefully TPlush put in a good word for us

 

Who knows, things like that may make a difference. Not sure if Thames knows him at all, but that would help too. I know Thames was in Korea (on the good side) but I would think he had exposure to the Japanese players while he was over there.

 

So we have that, agent in common, and who knows maybe he wants a small market. Still not likely, don't get me wrong, but at least there's a few things that could help.

 

Oh, and as far as endorsements go, Clay Matthews plays in the smallest market of all professional sports. That doesn't seem to keep him from being on every commercial that airs on Sunday.

[TURBO]

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the MLBPA has set a Monday deadline for resolving the posting system issue.

This issue hangs heavy over the Shohei Otani market, which can't really get moving until the new parameters for payment to Nippon Professional Baseball teams are decided. The old system called for up to $20 million going to NPB teams, but there's talk of a new system that would give NPB teams a percentage of the contract Japanese players sign with MLB clubs. Otani is only 23 years old and subject to international signing restrictions, so his first MLB contract won't carry much up-front cash. Which is why his team in Japan, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, want the old posting system to be grandfathered in. We should have a resolution soon.

 

Source: Jon Heyman on TwitterNov 16 - 10:33 AM

[KCBrewerfan34]

MLB wants this guy here this year badly, he is a marquee player. Look for this deal to get compromised/grandfathered or whatever today IMHO

[Bombers]

All international free agents should have to enter the MLB draft and players should not be able to sign until they are 18 years old.

+1

[Warning Track Power]

All international free agents should have to enter the MLB draft and players should not be able to sign until they are 18 years old.

+1

+2

[TURBO]

I think we should go hard after this guy, as will most other teams, but I hope we are all in!

[MKEguy]

A plan for use has been discussed here already, but Otani sent out a league wide letter asking interested teams to tell him how they plan on using him.

 

If I remember correctly, the schedule across the pond was something like...

pitch on Sunday, everyone is off on Monday, play the field Tuesday through Friday. Rest on Saturday.

 

We could offer something like that. With the extra three or four days off throughout the year, I think it would be worth giving him what he wants, as far as being a two way player.

 

Realistically, we had a better chance of signing CC after his tenure here, but it’s fun talk discuss.

[KeithStone53151]

I honestly feel like our odds are maybe slightly worse than him going to an AL team, but overall about on par with the rest of the league. That still puts our chances at 1 in 30 at best though. If we don't get him, I hope he goes to some other small market AL team and not a big market. Let the Twins or Indians have him.

[nate82]

I think Otani is either going to sign with the Rangers or the Mariners.

[KeithStone53151]

Recent articles on expected landing spots.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255389146/10-potential-teams-for-japans-shohei-ohtani/

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/262478194/scouting-top-contenders-to-sign-shohei-ohtani/

 

Shocking that the big markets are all presumed favorites and high on their lists. It's like the media thinks the big markets deserve all the best players, and teams like the Brewers should all be filled with 2nd tier talent. I really hope he signs with a small market team, any small market.

[ZBTMP]

Recent articles on expected landing spots.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255389146/10-potential-teams-for-japans-shohei-ohtani/

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/262478194/scouting-top-contenders-to-sign-shohei-ohtani/

 

Shocking that the big markets are all presumed favorites and high on their lists. It's like the media thinks the big markets deserve all the best players, and teams like the Brewers should all be filled with 2nd tier talent. I really hope he signs with a small market team, any small market.

If you are Ohtani’s agent, are you advising him to sign in Cincinnati? Where do you think shoe companies, sport drinks companies, car companies, etc. that will be providing a majority of his income for the first few seasons want him? Its not really big market bias, its just the best guess as to where he will land given all the inputs.

[bill hAll Star]

Recent articles on expected landing spots.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255389146/10-potential-teams-for-japans-shohei-ohtani/

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/262478194/scouting-top-contenders-to-sign-shohei-ohtani/

 

Shocking that the big markets are all presumed favorites and high on their lists. It's like the media thinks the big markets deserve all the best players, and teams like the Brewers should all be filled with 2nd tier talent. I really hope he signs with a small market team, any small market.

If you are Ohtani’s agent, are you advising him to sign in Cincinnati? Where do you think shoe companies, sport drinks companies, car companies, etc. that will be providing a majority of his income for the first few seasons want him? Its not really big market bias, its just the best guess as to where he will land given all the inputs.

 

Not only that, but while even every small market has some sort of Japanese presence in its town, the big markets have large Japanese populations.

 

I'm sure I'll get a variety of answers like "I actually am a small town guy" or "I really like all Japanese food" on this, but in general, if you were forced to move to Japan for work (but barely speak Japanese), are you choosing some smaller city with 3% of the people speaking English and no American/English amenities, or are you going to one of the bigger cities that you can ease into that has a lot of English speaking areas and people you can befriend/speak with?

[KeithStone53151]

Recent articles on expected landing spots.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255389146/10-potential-teams-for-japans-shohei-ohtani/

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/262478194/scouting-top-contenders-to-sign-shohei-ohtani/

 

Shocking that the big markets are all presumed favorites and high on their lists. It's like the media thinks the big markets deserve all the best players, and teams like the Brewers should all be filled with 2nd tier talent. I really hope he signs with a small market team, any small market.

If you are Ohtani’s agent, are you advising him to sign in Cincinnati? Where do you think shoe companies, sport drinks companies, car companies, etc. that will be providing a majority of his income for the first few seasons want him? Its not really big market bias, its just the best guess as to where he will land given all the inputs.

 

Not only that, but while even every small market has some sort of Japanese presence in its town, the big markets have large Japanese populations.

 

I'm sure I'll get a variety of answers like "I actually am a small town guy" or "I really like all Japanese food" on this, but in general, if you were forced to move to Japan for work (but barely speak Japanese), are you choosing some smaller city with 3% of the people speaking English and no American/English amenities, or are you going to one of the bigger cities that you can ease into that has a lot of English speaking areas and people you can befriend/speak with?

 

If he is looking specifically at easing into US culture in that regard, Seattle makes the most sense and it isn't close. Also the team that brought over Ichiro. I believe Seattle also can offer the most money or close to it. I can understand including Yankees as they've had a ton of experience/success bringing over japanese stars, and are one of the few hoarders of int'l money they can give him. Lumping in teams like the cubs and red sox is just silly. The cubs haven't brought over any Japanese stars and the Red Sox only Dice K if I remember right. Blanketly listing every big market team is just lazy and biased.

 

And it's not like small market teams are these tiny suburban cities with no Asian influence. Every MLB club is in a big city, with a large and diverse population. The Twin Cities, the Florida teams, any west coast team, etc. Milwaukee is probably one of the worst in that regard.

[bill hAll Star]

If he is looking specifically at easing into US culture in that regard, Seattle makes the most sense and it isn't close. Also the team that brought over Ichiro. I believe Seattle also can offer the most money or close to it. I can understand including Yankees as they've had a ton of experience/success bringing over japanese stars, and are one of the few hoarders of int'l money they can give him. Lumping in teams like the cubs and red sox is just silly. The cubs haven't brought over any Japanese stars and the Red Sox only Dice K if I remember right. Blanketly listing every big market team is just lazy and biased.

 

And it's not like small market teams are these tiny suburban cities with no Asian influence. Every MLB club is in a big city, with a large and diverse population. The Twin Cities, the Florida teams, any west coast team, etc. Milwaukee is probably one of the worst in that regard.

 

It's not biased. Save calling things biased for things that actually may be biased. Not only are those big cities with winning teams and marketing opportunities, but those cities have a lot more Japanese people and culture just by sheer volume.

 

That list of 8 teams basically coincides with the density/volume of Asian/Japanese populations in cities. Chicago has 500,000 people of Asian descent (I don't have a specific Japanese number).

 

I don't really think it matters which guys were "brought over" but Fukudome was a Cubs player brought over.

 

There is now an ESPN big market bias bias. No matter the article, even if it makes 100% sense, will be labeled as big market/east coast bias by some looking to call it so.

 

It's extremely logical to say that a Japenese player will likely go to a large market with a large Asian/Japanese population and given the fact that he can't sign a huge contract, will have better marketing opportunities there. On top of that, most of the teams listed are successful current teams. They didn't suggest the White Sox.

[brewcrewdue80]

Or you cater to big market fans because, they will bring the most readers and advertisement money. There's probably also precedent of the big markets signing the top tier guys over a smaller market so you may as well assume they are most likely destinations for Otani.

 

I like Minnesota as a darkhorse in this. They are close to being a World Series contender while not having an established DH. Otani wants some greatness and leading Minnesota to WS would be a greater accomplishment than taking the Yankees to WS.

[bill hAll Star]

Or you cater to big market fans because, they will bring the most readers and advertisement money. There's probably also precedent of the big markets signing the top tier guys over a smaller market so you may as well assume they are most likely destinations for Otani.

 

I like Minnesota as a darkhorse in this. They are close to being a World Series contender while not having an established DH. Otani wants some greatness and leading Minnesota to WS would be a greater accomplishment than taking the Yankees to WS.

 

Sano might have to play some DH. There likely will be an opening at 1B/DH if Mauer is gone after next year. I like what Minnesota has done with the elite defense, but they may have pitching depth issues in the near future.

 

It's not lazy or pandering to readership, it's logical.

 

If there's a huge high school running back recruit that wants to go to the NFL, an article may read, "look for Ohio State, USC, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Alabama to be the leaders" and to present some reasoning as to why each school would be a fit for him (proximity to family, coaches, running style, etc.).

 

Would you also want the writer to say, "don't count out Florida International, Idaho State, Virginia, Cal Poly, Georgia Southern, Navy, Texas Tech, Western Michigan, Toledo, Tulsa, or a handful of division 2 schools...just because maybe something we don't know about will happen." No. I don't see Otani going to the Pirates or the Royals.

 

The Cubs are listed as a darkhorse because they're a good team and there still is a large Asian population and a listed Epstein connection (albeit not major, which is why they're listed as a darkhorse). If the Cubs were not good right now, they probably would not be listed in this.

 

My shock level would be low if he chose the Cubs for some reason. If he chose the Royals or Brewers, I would be shocked.