What can Minnesota offer Shohei Otani?

[twinsfanstreif]

me thinks they will make a run at these two...

I would be perfectly happy if that is all they add too! We do need bullpen guys but I'd sacrifice that to get Darvish and Otani

[GP830]

Does anyone have any insight on when we'll start hearing about Otani? Are they in the phase right now where teams are making pitches to him?

[FunnyPenguin]

 

Does anyone have any insight on when we'll start hearing about Otani? Are they in the phase right now where teams are making pitches to him?

Nice...pun of the day in here!

[GP830]

 

Nice...pun of the day in here!

The tricky things with Otani is that they not only have to pitch to him but also take hacks at signing him.

[Doomtints]

"What can Minnesota offer Shohei Otani?"

Nearly everything he is looking for. A job playing baseball and cash. He can take care of the friend base and spouse himself.

[Jacksson]

PLENTY of Endorsement opportunities right here in Minnesota. IF he wants to be, he can certainly be the BMOC here. Endorsements possible from the likes of: Mall of America, 3M, Best Buy, Target, Land O Lakes, Fastenall, Hormel, Carlson Companies, Deluxe (Check), Eco Lab, Dairy Queen, Polaris, Artic Cat, Mystic Lake, Valleyfair, Minnesota State Fair, University of Minnesota, Schwans, Red Wing Shoes, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cargill, Cub Foods, Super Valu, Caribou Coffee, Edina Realty, Donaldson Company, Department 56, Fairview Health, Famous Daves, General Mills, Graco, Green Giant, Great Clips, Health East, Health Partners, Hazelden, Holiday Stores, Jostens, Lifetime Fitness, Lifetouch, Lawson Software, Mayo Clinic, Malt O Meal (MOM), Medtronic, My Pillow, Pearson Candy, Abdellah Candy, Stauer, Super America, Sun Country Airlines, Taylor Companies, TCF, Thomson Reuters, Thrivent, Travelers, Toro, Valspar, Watkins, and on and on. He can be as BIG in Minnesota (and the Upper Midwest) as he wants to be.

[zenser]

 

Does anyone have any insight on when we'll start hearing about Otani? Are they in the phase right now where teams are making pitches to him?

 

The posting system expired at the end of the season.  MLB, MLBPA, and the Japanese league are still negotiating the details of the posting system.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/new-mlb-npb-posting-agreement-still-weeks-away.html

[Twins33]

The posting system expired at the end of the season.  MLB, MLBPA, and the Japanese league are still negotiating the details of the posting system.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/new-mlb-npb-posting-agreement-still-weeks-away.html

FYI for those who don't click the link, there's now a Monday deadline on this negotiation. Updated this morning. They may not stick with that deadline though.

[Mr. Brooks]

PLENTY of Endorsement opportunities right here in Minnesota. IF he wants to be, he can certainly be the BMOC here. Endorsements possible from the likes of: Mall of America, 3M, Best Buy, Target, Land O Lakes, Fastenall, Hormel, Carlson Companies, Deluxe (Check), Eco Lab, Dairy Queen, Polaris, Artic Cat, Mystic Lake, Valleyfair, Minnesota State Fair, University of Minnesota, Schwans, Red Wing Shoes, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cargill, Cub Foods, Super Valu, Caribou Coffee, Edina Realty, Donaldson Company, Department 56, Fairview Health, Famous Daves, General Mills, Graco, Green Giant, Great Clips, Health East, Health Partners, Hazelden, Holiday Stores, Jostens, Lifetime Fitness, Lifetouch, Lawson Software, Mayo Clinic, Malt O Meal (MOM), Medtronic, My Pillow, Pearson Candy, Abdellah Candy, Stauer, Super America, Sun Country Airlines, Taylor Companies, TCF, Thomson Reuters, Thrivent, Travelers, Toro, Valspar, Watkins, and on and on. He can be as BIG in Minnesota (and the Upper Midwest) as he wants to be.

Sure, but there are even more opportunities in MY or LA, that's just reality. Hopefully that's not his top priority.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Endorsements simply aren’t a big deal in baseball. It shouldn’t be a large factor in his decision.

[glunn]

 

PLENTY of Endorsement opportunities right here in Minnesota. IF he wants to be, he can certainly be the BMOC here. Endorsements possible from the likes of: Mall of America, 3M, Best Buy, Target, Land O Lakes, Fastenall, Hormel, Carlson Companies, Deluxe (Check), Eco Lab, Dairy Queen, Polaris, Artic Cat, Mystic Lake, Valleyfair, Minnesota State Fair, University of Minnesota, Schwans, Red Wing Shoes, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cargill, Cub Foods, Super Valu, Caribou Coffee, Edina Realty, Donaldson Company, Department 56, Fairview Health, Famous Daves, General Mills, Graco, Green Giant, Great Clips, Health East, Health Partners, Hazelden, Holiday Stores, Jostens, Lifetime Fitness, Lifetouch, Lawson Software, Mayo Clinic, Malt O Meal (MOM), Medtronic, My Pillow, Pearson Candy, Abdellah Candy, Stauer, Super America, Sun Country Airlines, Taylor Companies, TCF, Thomson Reuters, Thrivent, Travelers, Toro, Valspar, Watkins, and on and on. He can be as BIG in Minnesota (and the Upper Midwest) as he wants to be.

I wish that they would each offer him $1 million per year for endorsements.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I don't get the point on endorsements. Yes, MSP has a nice economy, but let's not pretend we can out do NY there. I'm not sure what Otani wants, to be clear, and if it's ultimately a money thing, then he'd wait two years, so I don't think this tangent will amount to much. If he becomes a star, he'd certainly get more endorsements in NY than MN. That again, isn't up for debate. If he becomes a star though, he will get plenty of national love no matter where he goes.

 

Ultimately, he's made it clear that his decisions for coming here aren't about money... at least not right now. The real though, remains unclear. That should give us along with fans from 25 or so other teams hope, because I don't think a traditional contract throwing a ton of cash at him is what will do it.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Again, endorsements are not a big deal. No active MLB player cracked the top 50 athletes. Posey came in first at #51 at $3m.

 

http://opendorse.com/blog/2016-highest-paid-athlete-endorsers/

 

I suspect Otani will earn the bulk of his money from Japan no matter where he goes.

[ahart10]

If Ohtani was playing DH could he swap with the pitcher at any time? Essentially having two pitchers.

[ashbury]

If Ohtani was playing DH could he swap with the pitcher at any time? Essentially having two pitchers.

If the DH takes the field, you lose the use of the DH for the rest of the game and the pitchers take their place in the lineup.

 

They tried "hiding" Sam McDowell for a batter by putting him at first/second base, back in the day. I think some other pitcher(s) likewise roamed right field while a LOOGY or ROOGY came in. Never caught on as a thing.

[Major League Ready]

The national media seems to think NY is the front runner by a substantial margin over Texas and the Twins are a side note.  I sure hope Falvey and Lavine demonstrate some great recruiting and those national media types can use that egg on their face for breakfast!

[Steve Lein]

I don't think endorsements are going to play even a .01% part in his decision.

 

Fact is, he's a superstar already in Japan and internationally - he's already got that part covered...

[AlwaysinModeration]

On days that he is the starting pitcher, will the Twins DH Castro?

 

....that is, FOR Castro?

[Guest]

If Ohtani joins the Twins, he and Darvish could be teammates and both of them could drill Yulieski Gurriel in the playoffs.

[The Wise One]

Take him to Masu Robata. If you want him to leave, Sotarol

[ashbury]

On days that he is the starting pitcher, will the Twins DH Castro?

 

....that is, FOR Castro?

In case it's a serious question, the DH rule as written pertains only to the pitcher.

 

Otherwise, good one.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Why can’t the Yankees or someone else offer Ohtani approximately $3M for the first year and $100M for the next four?

because he’s under 25 he gets a minor league deal just like a drafted player.

 

Signing bonus is limited to signing by cba

[Richie the Rally Goat]

In case it's a serious question, the DH rule as written pertains only to the pitcher.

 

Otherwise, good one.

strategically, on days he pitches you,d DH him so the relievers wouldn’t bat? Then DH him for the other pitchers 2-3 turns in the rotation? Maybe give him an off day or two before he starts, keep other legs fresh like Mauer/Sano?

[ashbury]

 

strategically, on days he pitches you,d DH him so the relievers wouldn’t bat?

The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The DH who steps onto the field when the other team bats is not a DH.

 

Rule 5.11(a)(12): "Once a Designated Hitter assumes a position on defense, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game."

[diehardtwinsfan]

Other thing I'd note that while Otani was a decent hitter, he wasn't nearly as good a hitter in Japan as he was a pitcher. I don't think he's going to be that a major difference maker at DH.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The DH who steps onto the field when the other team bats is not a DH.

 

Rule 5.11(a)(12): "Once a Designated Hitter assumes a position on defense, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game."

sorry, worded poorly... you’d Bat a DH in his place...

[ashbury]

sorry, worded poorly... you’d Bat a DH in his place...

Like normal, in other words. I misunderstood you the first time.

[SDTwinsFan]

Now that we can expect that Otani is actually moving to the MLB, I had some thoughts. At this point, we can safely say that Otani does not care about money as a motivating tool. But what are his major desires?

 

My guess:

1. Become an MLB HoF player

2. Win a World Series

3. Become a 2 way star

 

I think the Twins are in a great place to offer Otani a few things. Primarily, the Twins are in a position right now to go for it next year, or hold on a year or two. They can offer him a place to play both sides of the ball. He could be the only Japanese player. The Twins could go out and get his (supposed) mentor, Darvish.

 

The bottom line is that Otani could be a once-in-a-lifetime player, and will basically be playing for free. This can completely alter any organization, but for the Twins, it would create payroll flexibility to sustain a winning team for years. They NEED to do everything they can to get him. Here is how they could:

 

If Otani wants to come to the US, and have a year to acclimate, and have his mentor:

- Sign Darvish

- Extend young core

This allows for a winning team, that is still probably a little short of the best teams currently.

 

If Otani wants to win now, and have his mentor:

- Sign Darvish

- Extend core

- Go after FA/trades for some relief pitching

- Consider Lynn if price is right

This allows the Twins to go for it.

 

If Otani wants a year to acclimate, and be the only Japanese player:

- Extend core

Plenty of talent to still play for the WC.

 

If Otani wants to win now, and be the only Japanese player:

- Extend core

- Trade for Archer or Cole

- FA reliever x 2 (Nicasio and McGee should fit nicely)

- Consider Lynn if price is right following FA relief market acquisitions

This is a great team for years.

 

If I am the Twins, I let Otani tell me what he wants. Then make it happen. I don't think any of these are that "crazy". Unlikely, of course, but it could happen! Otani would fix a lot of issues.

 

Make it happen Twins!

[Mike Sixel]

Ohtani, with an h, if you want him to come, spell it the way he wants.

 

All this talk reminds me of how the twins were looking at the great Cubans a few years so....

[SDTwinsFan]

 

Ohtani, with an h, if you want him to come, spell it the way he wants.

 

Yep, my bad. He can spell it however he wants. I am just lazy and saved myself some extra typing.

 

"Ohtani" looks better anyway.