The future of Shohei Ohtani

[bk400]

When you look at the Angels and see that he leads the team in every meaningful batting and pitching stat, you just wonder how bad they would be if you replaced him with a bunch of prospects and maybe a three or four Tier 2 veterans. And a previous poster is right in that Ohtani's less than fluent English probably doesn't hamper his ability to lead the team. So I take that back.

I'm going contrarian and predicting that he stays with the Angels long term. He's going to accept a lot less money than what he's worth in order to help them win a championship -- and he's going to go down as a legend in his adopted community. Something tells me he's listening to people like Ichiro, as opposed to the A-Rods of the world. And it would be better for the soul of baseball.

I grew up as a Mets fan, but please please please don't let him go work for that hedge fund guy.

Please.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by bk400

When you look at the Angels and see that he leads the team in every meaningful batting and pitching stat, you just wonder how bad they would be if you replaced him with a bunch of prospects and maybe a three or four Tier 2 veterans. And a previous poster is right in that Ohtani's less than fluent English probably doesn't hamper his ability to lead the team. So I take that back.

I'm going contrarian and predicting that he stays with the Angels long term. He's going to accept a lot less money than what he's worth in order to help them win a championship -- and he's going to go down as a legend in his adopted community. Something tells me he's listening to people like Ichiro, as opposed to the A-Rods of the world. And it would be better for the soul of baseball.

I grew up as a Mets fan, but please please please don't let him go work for that hedge fund guy.

Please.

Cannot disagree about most of your points. You are right. I am not concerned about the language.
But we will see how they replace all that production next years and the years going forward without those prospects and players they would have had.

Neither side is wrong in keeping or not keeping him. I just feel getting 2 months of Ohtani vs the long term potential of what they could have gotten is really going to hurt them.

and WOW #40 Last night and raising his average to .310 and on base to .413 is simply amazing.
Hopefully he is ok pitching short and long term as he had to stop pitching after great innings do to another minor issue.

[bk400]

Perhaps I am too much of a believer in motherhood and apple pie, but I'd like to think that the Angels had a man to man discussion with Ohtani in June and came to a gentleman's agreement about what his long term contract would be for 2024 and beyond. If Ohtani plays for two months and then leaves for another team, it would be such a tremendous loss of face for the Angels, and I just don't think Ohtani's camp would want that for the team that gave him his start in the MLB.

I also suspect that Ohtani has figured out that Tom Brady is a god in New England, Ichiro's money is no good at any bar in Seattle, and the whole world outside of Saudi Arabia thinks that Messi is awesome and Ronaldo is...less awesome.

Not that I would know, but I'd like to think that for athletes like Ohtani, legacy is the asset that they want to maximize.

[packs]

Originally Posted by bk400

Perhaps I am too much of a believer in motherhood and apple pie, but I'd like to think that the Angels had a man to man discussion with Ohtani in June and came to a gentleman's agreement about what his long term contract would be for 2024 and beyond. If Ohtani plays for two months and then leaves for another team, it would be such a tremendous loss of face for the Angels, and I just don't think Ohtani's camp would want that for the team that gave him his start in the MLB.

I also suspect that Ohtani has figured out that Tom Brady is a god in New England, Ichiro's money is no good at any bar in Seattle, and the whole world outside of Saudi Arabia thinks that Messi is awesome and Ronaldo is...less awesome.

Not that I would know, but I'd like to think that for athletes like Ohtani, legacy is the asset that they want to maximize.

The Angels owner isn't exactly known for his strong sentimental attachment to his team. Or even known for improving it. I wouldn't hold my breath.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by packs

The Angels owner isn't exactly known for his strong sentimental attachment to his team. Or even known for improving it. I wouldn't hold my breath.

Yeah, you got me on that one.

[Seven]

No one has any idea of what Arte Moreno thinks at any moment, guy is a bit of a nut job. Certainly seems to have no issue spending money, but does it in the wrong places, on the wrong guys.

Ohtani has admitted that playing for a losing team is exhausting. This team is at best a wild card team, with Trout and Ohtani. I think the chances of him staying with them, are slim to none.

[mrreality68]

Too bad Moreno did not sell the team.

If he did a new owner or ownership group might have been able to produce both the money and the plan to win to potentially convince him to stay.

But no sale and no plan means Bye Bye Birdy.

Would be great to see him stay and even better if the team could compete each year
Would love to see him and trout in the playoffs

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Seven

No one has any idea of what Arte Moreno thinks at any moment, guy is a bit of a nut job. Certainly seems to have no issue spending money, but does it in the wrong places, on the wrong guys.

Ohtani has admitted that playing for a losing team is exhausting. This team is at best a wild card team, with Trout and Ohtani. I think the chances of him staying with them, are slim to none.

Last night's game was a perfect microcosm of their season - Ohtani pitches lights out, single-handedly ties up the game (IBB, SB, scores on a "no shift rule" single), and then their closer blows the game in epic fashion. Without Trout they are basically a one-man team