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What can Minnesota offer Shohei Otani?

Riverbrian

By Riverbrian
in Minnesota Twins Talk

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I know this is where its murky. But it's also different because Otani is a player who is going to play in the Majors right away. He's not going to come up through the minors.

 

Go find all the articles written about Otani and this stuff. You'll understand what's going on better, and why what you're talking about is under close scrutiny by MLB.

You mean like Dave Cameron’s article from last December?

 

MLB needs to be careful. It will be an interesting legal challenge if they treat Ohtani differently than, say, Evan Longoria.

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Steve Lein Cedar Rapids Kernels

Steve Lein

Twins Daily Contributor
Posted
Posted

 

You mean like Dave Cameron’s article from last December?

MLB needs to be careful. It will be an interesting legal challenge if they treat Ohtani differently than, say, Evan Longoria.

 

Yes. There have been several others since then.

 

MLB seems to me to be taking a hard stance on this. Some, like Cameron, make the argument as you mention, but there are others that don't like the teams chances to make those based on what MLB is telling the teams. 

 

I think the basic jist is they need to ensure that Otani isn't signing with a team because of a promise for the future. If you give him that extension too soon (as MLB sees it - which may not be clear at this point, could be two years, three years...Could be based on how he plays. Who knows...), you're going to have to prove you didn't do this and risk MLB's wrath.

 

I agree on the legal challenge stuff, will be very interesting. But I think the MLB holds the power in the argument, and not the teams.

 

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Yes. There have been several others since then.

 

MLB seems to me to be taking a hard stance on this. Some, like Cameron, make the argument as you mention, but there are others that don't like the teams chances to make those based on what MLB is telling the teams. 

 

I think the basic jist is they need to ensure that Otani isn't signing with a team because of a promise for the future. If you give him that extension too soon (as MLB sees it - which may not be clear at this point, could be two years, three years...Could be based on how he plays. Who knows...), you're going to have to prove you didn't do this and risk MLB's wrath.

 

I agree on the legal challenge stuff, will be very interesting. But I think the MLB holds the power in the argument, and not the teams.

A team signing Ohtani just needs to be smarter than Kevin McHale.

d-mac First Round Pick

d-mac

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Posted
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Nah.  Has to be wrapped in lefse (butter, white sugar and all) instead of seaweed.  Cream of mushroom soup drizzle and french fried onions optional.

 

Well then it's not really sushi and it's just a "Minnesota wrap."

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Give him a kiosk near home plate at the Mall of America and advertise: “It’s a long way from Shohei to the Met.”

glunn St Paul Saints

glunn

Community Moderator
Posted
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I read in a local newspaper that Otani has signed with CAA in Los Angeles for his promotional rights. I suspect that they will push hard for the Dodgers. However, there is no DH in the NL so he would have to also have a position in the field.

amjgt FCL Twins

amjgt

Verified Member
Posted
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If you're the Yankees why would you trade a prospect or player to get more international money? Otani has shown that the money isn't important. If he wants to go to NY then 3.5M vs 4.0M is meaningless.

kab21 FCL Twins

kab21

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Posted
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AL seems like the obvious choice if Otani wants to do both.

But how many teams are going to be willing to bench their DH or go with a rotating DH?

Most of the high payroll teams already have someone in this spot or could possibly be going after someone like JD Martinez or Carlos Santana.

I think this is where the Twins are in a unique position with Sano rotating in at DH and Grossman being solid but not great. I think they could offer Otani 60-80 games at DH no problems.

Here is another question - Do you let him hit on days he pitches? I know they do this in the NL all the time but...

ND-Fan College Ball

ND-Fan

Verified Member
Posted
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If this like recruiting a college player why not sell him on the fact he will be pitching in front of one the best outfields in baseball. Second if they are going to let him hit he will be hitting in one of the best young lineups in major league baseball. Third one that I would stress from reading about him would be that Twins teach players how to play game right which would help in his longterm development and he could do this with less pressure than playing in other large market teams but if he has success he still will get all national press he wants. Like college recruiting I would use young players to convince him how it good to play in Minnesota. We see a lot of players that play here that want to play here and want to come back and contribute to the team I would think this would sell to player that looking for new place to play and this group is on verge of becoming major league contender to win everything if they can get talent like him to add to this talented group of players. I don't think this all about money with him because if it was he would just wait out next two years and he could sign for a ton of money where ever he wants to go. I think this player that wants to come play baseball and learn how to become the best player in the world its more about being the best there ever was than is about the money.

caninatl04 First Round Pick

caninatl04

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Posted
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The pool money is not the issue for the Twins it's the 20 mill they have to pay the team he plays for in Japan. The Yankees can afford that, the Twins won't pay that, imo.

 

I've read that the Yankees might trade Betances, my idea is to trade some of the int. pool money to the Yankees for Betances. Might be a bad idea but I'm full of bad ideas.

I’m agreeing that he Twins’ pool dollars might be more valuable than usual
caninatl04 First Round Pick

caninatl04

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

I'd be curious if he plays other positions. I don't mind letting him pitch and DH. I would appreciate it though if he could play a passable corner OF or IF position as well. Certainly not something to do a lot, but that gives for a bit more DH flexibility as opposed to Otani being a bench bat quite a bit.

If he agrees, he can play whatever position he chooses, including goalie, left defensive end, power forward and midfielder.

kab21 FCL Twins

kab21

Verified Member
Posted
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I wonder if an offer of an exactly 2 year contract might be inticing.

I think Otani's contract is the same as any prospect that comes up through the minors. He will make the MLB minimum for 3 years and then go to arbitration. Like others have said the CBA was updated after the Cespedes contracts that granted early FA but I don't know the specific details.

diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

I wonder if an offer of an exactly 2 year contract might be inticing.

 

They cannot do this (CBA and MLB will not allow it). He is under 25, so it's a standard MLB contract.

DocBauer All-Star

DocBauer

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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Let's make one seemingly safe admission; unless someone has an idea how to skirt the proposed financial parameters, as laid out, money...initially at least...is not a factor. The top 3 clubs can offer virtually the exact same dollars.

 

It then comes down to a couple of factors:

 

1] Does he, and his representation, truly not care, or want, to play in one of the largest markets? Financially, were he to do so, additional income could come via promotional deals the Twins simply couldn't match.

 

2] Where is his best opportunity to succeed, and do what he wants, which is being a 2 way player. Awfully tough to be a 2 way player in the NL, unless he's truly good in the field somewhere. The Twins don't have a full time DH, affording him the opportunity to show he can...or cant...be a viable ML hitter.

 

The Twins are also a viable post season team, playing in one of the best parks in the league, filled with impressive young talent pretty much his same age.

 

Accepting the financial parameters as being equal, if point #1 is remotely accurate, I'd think the Twins would have an excellent shot at signing him.

GP830 Draft Eligible

GP830

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Man, it sure feels like there's something in the air surrounding the Twins these days. So many little clues appear to be pointing towards some excitement. Let's hope it's not all for naught. 

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