New CBA Ramifications & Shohei Otani Watch

[Ranma]

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[wco81]

It's the Angels.

[Ranma]

I don't want to underestimate Angels GM, Billy Eppler, since I'm a fan of his and previously advocated that he be a part of the Dodgers' front office over Josh Byrnes, but I think Anaheim, Texas, and Chicago are in the bottom 3 for Ohtani's consideration. A presentation from one of those 3 teams would have to be head and shoulders better than the other 4 teams and I find that to be unlikely, but I guess you never know since they've made it this far.

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[wco81]

If the Giants couldn't get him, glad he's out of the NL West at least.

[Ranma]

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[wco81]

Wow disclosed that after he picks the Angels?

They haven't signed anything yet have they?

[Ranma]

Wow disclosed that after he picks the Angels?

They haven't signed anything yet have they?

Even with the $20-million posting fee along with $4 million is signing bonus and minimum salary for 2018, he's still worth the financial investment given the years of team control he'll be under. On top of that, teams were apparently aware of the injury beforehand and it didn't limit their interest in him nor should it have.

Having said that, this complication further stalls his development along with his 2-way endeavors. He's now unlikely to reach legitimate co-ace or ace status for the coming season and will probably take even longer to develop as an MLB pitcher, which is likely the ultimate outcome for him when all is said and done.

[Ranma]

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[Ranma]

Regardless of which team he chooses, whether it is in the AL or NL, he's actually doing himself a disservice by trying to develop both as a hitter and pitcher at the major league level. I've already made known my skepticism of hitters from the KBO and NPB translating their success over to MLB. The exception was Ichiro but a big factor for him was that he was already a polished and accomplished hitter before coming over to the U.S. Of course, being an elite talent helped more than anything else.

The problem is that he has the readily apparent upside to develop into a Cy Young pitcher,but as a hitter, he's just not ready to be a consistently productive bat at this level right now given the holes in his swing. Sure, playing for a team with no immediate expectations to contend will afford him more opportunities, but as you've pointed out more advanced hitters than him have come over from the Pacific Rim and failed to stick with few exceptions.

If Ohtani insists that more at-bats will be the key ingredient to him becoming a successful MLB hitter with sustained success, he's going to be thoroughly disappointed and possibly even risk damaging his potential as a pitcher in pursuing this pie-in-the-sky goal. If he wants a decent chance at actually succeeding in becoming a productive MLB hitter, he'll need to join an organization that will provide him with advanced analytics, instruction, and other developmental support. The Dodgers are at the forefront in making progress in those fields.

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[Neddy]

looks like Shohei is still hurt and not 100%.

swing and missing was expected for a unpolished power hitter with a huge hole in his swing, but the lack of velocity on his fastball tells me he aint right at this moment, and the Angels are better off sending him down to the minors and have their team doc/trainer keep a real close eye on him.

[wco81]

Wasn't he hitting high 90s in spring training games?

[wco81]

Pretty good pitching debut on Sunday followed by great home opener as DH.

Will the spring training woes be forgotten?

[Quake Griffin]

So he was trolling us in the spring eh?

[wco81]

Wow, his fairy tale journey to MLB may be ending with a nightmare.

ESPN's Pedro Gomez says Ohtani may be facing Tommy John surgery and the prospect of a 15-month rehab which would wipe out not only the rest of this season but 2019 as well.

He showed glimpses of greatness before he was shelved. Hope it turns out well for him. You want to see great potential met or exceeded.

He came so cheap that teams would still have lined up, even if they knew about this potential elbow problem.