Shohei Ohtani

[Texifornia]

If he were to come to an American League team, the general thinking seems to be that he would pitch in the rotation and DH much of the rest of the time. I've been watching some video and it seems to me he absolutely has Major League stuff. His slider is ridiculous and he has a 100 mph four seam fastball when needed. I'm not entirely sure he can hit at a ML level, but it certainly seems possible.

If he were to come to an AL team, would he bat on the nights he pitches?

If he were to come to an NL team, would he pinch hit on nights he doesn't pitch?

Would you want him on the Astros?

These are questions.

[HudsonHawk]

I will believe he can hit at the Major League level when he hits at the Major League level.  His numbers in Japan are pretty good, but they're in Japan, and no matter what his agent tries to tell you, that's not Major League caliber pitching.  A 100 mph fastball is a 100 mph fastball no matter where you throw it.  The issue will be can he develop both at a competent Major League level.  He is not the first player in history who could hit and throw.  There is a reason why players have not been successful doing both. It is so hard to do one well, even dedicating to it full time.  I simply don't believe Ohtani has far and away more baseball talent than any individual who ever lived.

As for who's likely to pick him up...if it's not the Yankees or Dodgers, it will likely be the Rangers. 

As for wanting him on the Astros, I want any player who can play and improve the team. 

[doyce7]

If he were to come to an American League team, the general thinking seems to be that he would pitch in the rotation and DH much of the rest of the time. I've been watching some video and it seems to me he absolutely has Major League stuff. His slider is ridiculous and he has a 100 mph four seam fastball when needed. I'm not entirely sure he can hit at a ML level, but it certainly seems possible.

If he were to come to an AL team, would he bat on the nights he pitches?

If he were to come to an NL team, would he pinch hit on nights he doesn't pitch?

Would you want him on the Astros?

These are questions.

There's no way hit hits on his pitching days.

I would say most likely would be pitch on Monday, day off on Tuesday, possible DH Wednesday and Thursday, day off Friday and pitch Saturday.

I wouldn't mind the Astros signing him, he's a good pitcher. It would also be minimal risk, if he's not good, oh well.

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[doyce7]

Also the Astros are likely not in the running, other teams can offer him a lot more money than the Astros can

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[jbm]

Does he throw ten different pitches and how is his gyroball?

[juliogotay]

I will believe he can hit at the Major League level when he hits at the Major League level.  His numbers in Japan are pretty good, but they're in Japan, and no matter what his agent tries to tell you, that's not Major League caliber pitching.  A 100 mph fastball is a 100 mph fastball no matter where you throw it.  The issue will be can he develop both at a competent Major League level.  He is not the first player in history who could hit and throw.  There is a reason why players have not been successful doing both. It is so hard to do one well, even dedicating to it full time.  I simply don't believe Ohtani has far and away more baseball talent than any individual who ever lived.

As for who's likely to pick him up...if it's not the Yankees or Dodgers, it will likely be the Rangers. 

As for wanting him on the Astros, I want any player who can play and improve the team.

The Rangers appear to be going all-out on Ohtani according to the Dallas fishwrap.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

The Rangers appear to be going all-out on Ohtani according to the Dallas fishwrap.

The rangers can offer the biggest bonus,  by something like half a million over the next team.

[chuck]

I just hope he stays the hell out of the Astros' division. We can't risk Yuli taking him deep and getting suspended again.

[Bench]

There's no way hit hits on his pitching days.

Wouldn't that burn the DH spot?  At at least wouldn't it require using the DH for a fielder, which would preclude the use of a DH for any relief pitcher?

[MusicMan]

The rangers can offer the biggest bonus,  by something like half a million over the next team.

The guy passed up around $150M by coming two years early. I don't think he'll make the decision over half a million.

[Limey]

There's no way hit hits on his pitching days.

The DH Paradox.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

The guy passed up around $150M by coming two years early. I don't think he'll make the decision over half a million.

Definitely agree. Don't know if that's the reason everyone lists the rangers as favorites.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/latest-on-shohei-otani-4.html

According to a report from the Associated Press, only six teams even have enough uncommitted pool space to offer Otani seven figures. The Rangers ($3.535MM), Yankees ($3.25MM), and Twins ($3.245MM) easily lead the way, with the Pirates ($2.2MM+), Marlins ($1.74MM), and Mariners ($1.57MM+) also have some money to spend — or, perhaps, to trade to a would-be Otani suitor. For someone who is expected to be an immediate and significant contributor at the major-league level, that’s a pittance no matter the precise amount. Of course, he’ll also have a chance to make significant income off the field and through a future extension or trip through arbitration.

[HudsonHawk]

Wouldn't that burn the DH spot?  At at least wouldn't it require using the DH for a fielder, which would preclude the use of a DH for any relief pitcher?

You can only DH for the pitcher.  And if you don't DH for the starting pitcher, you can't DH for any subsequent pitcher.  So yes, Ohtani hitting for himself means you don't get to use a DH that game.

[juliogotay]

You can only DH for the pitcher.  And if you don't DH for the starting pitcher, you can't DH for any subsequent pitcher.  So yes, Ohtani hitting for himself means you don't get to use a DH that game.

Your grasp of the rule book is impressive.

[Limey]

Your grasp of the rule book is impressive.

You can have HH's rule book when you can pry it out of his cold dead hands (or distract him with a Shiner).

[Astros Fan in Big D]

You can have HH's rule book when you can pry it out of his cold dead hands (or distract him with a Shiner).

Or a tractor backfiring.

[juliogotay]

You can have HH's rule book when you can pry it out of his cold dead hands (or distract him with a Shiner).

I'd rather he just tell us the damn rule. If I had wanted to read the ML rule book I would have gone to law school.

[Texifornia]

You can only DH for the pitcher.  And if you don't DH for the starting pitcher, you can't DH for any subsequent pitcher.  So yes, Ohtani hitting for himself means you don't get to use a DH that game.

I don't think that's true. You can DH for one of the nine players in the field, it's always a pitcher, but I don't think it has to be.

[NeilT]

I don't think that's true. You can DH for one of the nine players in the field, it's always a pitcher, but I don't think it has to be.

You're just doing that to rile up HH, aren't you?  http://m.mlb.com/glossary/rules/designated-hitter-rule

[BudGirl]

You're just doing that to rile up HH, aren't you?  http://m.mlb.com/glossary/rules/designated-hitter-rule

DH, PH same difference?

[NeilT]

DH, PH same difference?

I thought Ph had something to do with alkilinity?

[Bench]

Official Rules.

5.11 (6.10) Designated Hitter Rule
Any League may elect to use Rule 5.11(a) (Rule 6.10(b)), which shall be called the Designated Hitter Rule.
(a) (6.10(b)) The Designated Hitter Rule provides as follows:
(1) A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A
Designated Hitter for the pitcher, if any, must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire-in-Chief.

[HudsonHawk]

I don't think that's true. You can DH for one of the nine players in the field, it's always a pitcher, but I don't think it has to be.

No, you can DH for the pitcher only.  If the pitcher enters the batting order, either by hitting or running, you lose the DH. 

[NeilT]

Official Rules.

A Designated Hitter for the pitcher, if any, must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire-in-Chief.

This set me to thinking.  Since baseball is America's game and the National Pastime and all that, why not designate one umpire in each game the Trumpire?   The Trumpire would be like a wild card umpire the purpose of whom is to introduce a high level of chaos? 

Nevermind.  Baseball doesn't need that kind of reality. 

[HudsonHawk]

DH, PH same difference?

No, a pinch hitter can hit for anyone in the order.  The player for which he hits is then ineligible for the remainder of the game, and once the PH is put out or the inning ends, he is also ineligible the rest of the game, unless he enters on defense and stays in that spot in the batting order.  The DH hits for the pitcher, and only the pitcher, and it does not affect the eligibility of the pitcher.

[BudGirl]

No, a pinch hitter can hit for anyone in the order.  The player for which he hits is then ineligible for the remainder of the game, and once the PH is put out or the inning ends, he is also ineligible the rest of the game, unless he enters on defense and stays in that spot in the batting order.  The DH hits for the pitcher, and only the pitcher, and it does not affect the eligibility of the pitcher.

My bad that was a sarcastic comment.

[HudsonHawk]

My bad that was a sarcastic comment.

Sorry, didn't pick up on the sarcasm.  There are people who use the terms interchangeably. 

[Texifornia]

What if an AL manager pulled a "Gene Mauch" and put his pitcher in right field for a batter or two? The DH would still hit for the same player even though he was now playing right field.

[HudsonHawk]

What if an AL manager pulled a "Gene Mauch" and put his pitcher in right field for a batter or two? The DH would still hit for the same player even though he was now playing right field.

No.  If a pitcher moves to another defensive position, he must hit, and you lose the DH for the rest of the game.

Again...you can only DH for the pitcher.

[Mr. Appropriate]

This set me to thinking.  Since baseball is America's game and the National Pastime and all that, why not designate one umpire in each game the Trumpire?   The Trumpire would be like a wild card umpire the purpose of whom is to introduce a high level of chaos? 

Nevermind.  Baseball doesn't need that kind of reality.

It would be beautiful.

[Texifornia]

No.  If a pitcher moves to another defensive position, he must hit, and you lose the DH for the rest of the game.

Again...you can only DH for the pitcher.

Yep, you're right. I looked it up and it can only be for a pitcher, if you move the pitcher to another position a la Mauch, you forfeit the DH.

[HudsonHawk]

Yep, you're right. I looked it up and it can only be for a pitcher, if you move the pitcher to another position a la Mauch, you forfeit the DH.

Like I told you.  Twice. 

[Limey]

This set me to thinking.  Since baseball is America's game and the National Pastime and all that, why not designate one umpire in each game the Trumpire?   The Trumpire would be like a wild card umpire the purpose of whom is to introduce a high level of chaos? 

Unnecessary.  They have Angel Hernandez.

[NeilT]

Unnecessary.  They have Angel Hernandez.

Of course!  I just didn't know that Angel was by design!

[Mr. Appropriate]

Unnecessary.  They have Angel Hernandez.

Sometimes it takes an outsider to make the obvious visible.

Limey you are baseball's De Tocqueville.

Just in case, though I did compare you to a Frenchman (in this rare exception) it was only intended as a compliment.

[mrpink]

I thought Ph had something to do with alkilinity?

That would be pH.

[MusicMan]

I thought Ph had something to do with alkilinity?

You trying to summon Alkie?


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[Mr. Appropriate]

You trying to summon Alkie?


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that's a baseless accusation.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

that's a baseless accusation.

Got my ion you.

[Mr. Appropriate]

Got my ion you.

man, we just have terrible chemistry. Could you please keep your acidic remarks to yourself? if you keep it up...fuck man I am warning you here...all your base R belong to us.

[toddthebod]

Good article from BA on the Otani signing.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/new-cba-tries-to-stamp-out-loopholes-to-sign-shohei-otani/#JSDLE6gP3IFM6ebD.97

It seems to me that from an economic perspective, the teams that can pay Otani larger bonuses aren't in that much better shape than the teams like the Astros. 

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Good article from BA on the Otani signing.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/new-cba-tries-to-stamp-out-loopholes-to-sign-shohei-otani/#JSDLE6gP3IFM6ebD.97

It seems to me that from an economic perspective, the teams that can pay Otani larger bonuses aren't in that much better shape than the teams like the Astros.

Thanks for the article.  Clears up some questions I had,  especially the posting process.

Seems he'll get to pick his spot,  and since big $ is off the table I'd guess he'll want a contender and a place where he can make off the field money (if that's a priority; Darvish had zero advertising presence here despite being popular).

[geezerdonk]

Wasn't Ohtani injured much of last season?

[MusicMan]

Wasn't Ohtani injured much of last season?

Yes - hamstring, I believe.


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[Limey]

Seems he'll get to pick his spot,  and since big $ is off the table I'd guess he'll want a contender and a place where he can make off the field money.

Haven't Asian players previously favored west coast teams for this very reason?  (Yao Ming did come to Houston, though).

[HudsonHawk]

Haven't Asian players previously favored west coast teams for this very reason?  (Yao Ming did come to Houston, though).

Yao Ming was drafted by the Rockets, he wasn't a free agents.  And sure there have been a lot of Asian players on west coast teams, but there have been high profile guys who simply followed the money.  Many have ended up in NY or Chicago, and even a few in Milwaukee. 

[Bench]

Yao Ming was drafted by the Rockets, he wasn't a free agents.  And sure there have been a lot of Asian players on west coast teams, but there have been high profile guys who simply followed the money.  Many have ended up in NY or Chicago, and even a few in Milwaukee.

And Arlington.

[Limey]

And Arlington.

May Buddha have mercy on their souls.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Heard a rumor that Otani might be inclined to follow Darvish.

[HudsonHawk]

Heard a rumor that Otani might be inclined to follow Darvish.

Sounds like a rumor Darvish's agent would start.

[Ty in Tampa]

Heard a rumor that Otani might be inclined to follow Darvish.

Have his slider fail at inopportune times?

[juliogotay]

Have his slider fail at inopportune times?

Tip his pitches?

[toddthebod]

I could see Ohtani wanting to be on the same team as another Japanese player.  Makes sense to me. 

I wonder if the Gurriel/Darvish thing killed the Astros slim chances of getting Ohtani

[Limey]

I wonder if the Gurriel/Darvish thing killed the Astros slim chances of getting Ohtani

Of Ohtani could show up at the first day of spring training with a small boxwood on his head.

[doyce7]

Heard a rumor that Otani might be inclined to follow Darvish.

From what I've read, most japanese players want to play on teams with no other japanese players. But I've also read darvish is also his idol so I don't know which to believe

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