so Ohtani looks to be signing with Toronto very shortly. in part because he values his privacy.  WHat better way to live a private lifestyle than with the Twins?!?!?  hehe

Twins should do a last minute 10yr $625M offer.

1) We offer the privacy he may desire.

2) With the MSP airport we would have a major INTL airport with all of the direct flights back home he could want.

But wait... He also wants to win!!

1) well if he is onboard this team, we would be AL Central contenders/Champs almost annually.

2) when looking at contending you not only have to look at current roster, but also future roster. and while we may not have a Vlad Guerrero Jr, or a Bo Bichette,  we do have Carlos Correa (yeah yeah yeah I know a number of you will trash him, but he has proven a top SS, and a playoff stud). we have a strong current and future rotation he could slide into next year  and we have a slew of young players who are just opening their own winning window in Royce Lewis, Julien, Wallner, Jeffers.... We have Byron Buxton, who is a true wildcard, COULD be a nothing burger, but also could be an MVP candidate... at this point even I have to admit better chances of the nothing burger.  BUT we have a number of quality young players 1-2 years away as well to hopefully extend window  ( OF COURSE this will be different than the Buxton/Sano window!!!  LOL)

3) Basically we have a good to strong rotation, that will only improve when Shohei joins.  we have a good nucleus of position players from which to build and a strong group of prospects who will be arriving on an almost annual basis over the next few years.

But we cant afford him!!! the TV contract!!

 I will not go not the whole details like I had previously about how we are actually one of the few teams who actually CAN afford him, btu will just go cliff notes version.

1) the massive spike of season tickets, and single game tickets will offset at least half of his contract.

2) Having Shohei on this team would actually allow us to command significantly higher new TV deal than without him, This difference could easily result in offsetting 25-50% of his annual salary.

3) this does not even take into consideration the spike in revenue from concessions, from away game attendance which will spike, and opening up a whole country worht of advertising rights,  These alone could completely offest the cost of Ohtani.

4) We have already shaved off $35M+ with no longer having Sonny Gray, Maeda, Gallo, Mahle.  Should we need, even if having to add prospects to move Vazquez or get nothing in return, that is another $10M.  and if we do end up moving Kepler and/or Polanco, then that is another potential  $20M shed  These moves alone cover the cost of Ohtani as well. Taylor's $4.6M being gone brings it to nearly $70M shed.

5) we have cheap replacements for almost EVERY positional loss.  Kepler = Wallner, Polanco = Julien,  Taylor = Buxton (if he can actually play ANY CF) plus Austin Martin, also have Castro & Gordon.  Sonny Gray = Louis Varland... OK OK maybe we say Maeda - Louis Varland and while still possible downgrade, he would be serviceable #5.  Sonny Gray would actually be more like Ohtani being that replacement (albeit NEXT year)

Positional Fit with Buxton as possible DH?

1) if... IF Buxton can play CF that solves that issue, .. and really anyoen who says  "well yeah but where would we put him!?"  well, Ill just say no comment.

2) if Buxton CANT go in the OF, then since Ohtani would not be pitching this year, he could easily handle 1B which would be a massive upgrade over Kirilloff/Miranda. or even OF.. he is such an "athlete" it shouldn't be a big deal taking on 1B or a corner OF spot... heck could HE be the CF protection for Buxton???

SO again, even if he was NOT on the verge of signing with Toronto,  I of course do not believe this would ACTUALLY happen.  I just want everyone to know it is not because  "we cant afford him"  or any "woe is me" Twins Front Office mumbo jumbo.  it is becasue it is a CHOICE!  we have CHOSEN not to go after him.

Yes he COULD fit financially very easily!!

Yes he DOES fit our positional/roster needs

Yes he/we WOULD win consistently with him on this roster

Yes it WOULD have been fun as heck to have him on this team and see/feel all the buzz and excitement surrounding this club.

and finally...

Yes I know there is no point to this post because it was and will never happen, but still fun to think "what if".   hehe