Ohtani Thread - Special Sheriff's Edition (Update: confirmed going to the Dodgers)

[Key22]

The reports that he is still undecided don't bode all that well for the Jays. I mean if he really wanted to be here he would be here. The fact that he is considering the North East would indicate to both NY clubs that he can be persuaded to enter the ring. With the Yanks adding Soto - adding both Yamamoto and Ohtani and Snell and Hader only makes sense, doesn't it? Cohen has near-limitless pockets too. If it is about not being in the heavy media spotlight - Toronto is the clear choice. The delay is worrying.

[hanton]

The reports that he is still undecided don't bode all that well for the Jays. I mean if he really wanted to be here he would be here. The fact that he is considering the North East would indicate to both NY clubs that he can be persuaded to enter the ring. With the Yanks adding Soto - adding both Yamamoto and Ohtani and Snell and Hader only makes sense, doesn't it? Cohen has near-limitless pockets too. If it is about not being in the heavy media spotlight - Toronto is the clear choice. The delay is worrying.

 

if weather/playing conditions are an issue that leaves the Dodgers/Jays and maybe the Angels. Yankees/Cubs/Giants would be out

[John_Havok]

The reports that he is still undecided don't bode all that well for the Jays. I mean if he really wanted to be here he would be here. The fact that he is considering the North East would indicate to both NY clubs that he can be persuaded to enter the ring. With the Yanks adding Soto - adding both Yamamoto and Ohtani and Snell and Hader only makes sense, doesn't it? Cohen has near-limitless pockets too. If it is about not being in the heavy media spotlight - Toronto is the clear choice. The delay is worrying.

 

the only reason people think there is a delay is because certain baseball reporters keep making s*** up. initial timelines for a decision were reported as "by Sunday"

 

the Morosi did his usual crap, made some s*** up about a decision being "imminent" and made up more s*** about Ohtani being on a plane to Toronto.

[Masterbather]

A) None of the crap that happened on the interwebs yesterday is likely to have any real effect on Ohtani's decision. False speculation and fan overreactions are part of sport.

 

As for Morosi, meh, whatever, I forgive him.

 

Yesterday was fun even if it was much ado about nothing, which it appears to have been. We don't ever get the chance to dream this big with the Blue Jays, I was messaging with friends about the Blue Jays who never talk about the Blue Jays. It's nice to know what that feels like even if we ultimately end up getting kicked in the balls

[wamco]

I just saw a plane fly over my house. I think ohtani was on it.

[RobinThicc]

Saw Shi Davidi.

 

He thinks hes on the other side which would be Sky Service haha

 

Only way is if Ohtani is already here or coming in later. CBC guys still here. Shi Davidi drove off as well as the Sportsnet truck haha

 

So funny Shi wrote a piece s***ing on fans for believing gossip and there he was at the airport waiting for Ohtani LOL

[jaysblue]

So funny Shi wrote a piece s***ing on fans for believing gossip and there he was at the airport waiting for Ohtani LOL

 

Haha yup he was there. Bumped into him at the parking lot where the huge Esso gas station is there and the KFC drive thru, next to the Tim Hortons. He got out of the Sportsnet truck and then went to his car and drove away lol.

[max silver]

So funny Shi wrote a piece s***ing on fans for believing gossip and there he was at the airport waiting for Ohtani LOL

 

Davidi didn't s*** on fans in the slightest. I read the article a second time and it outlined the dangers of blindly believing unverified social media posts that whipped all of MLB as a whole into a frenzy, including executives, agents and the fanbase. I was as excited about anyone yesterday, but at the end of the day that's on me for allowing myself to get caught up in the frenzy. This is a case of people choosing to be offended instead of reflecting on their own actions.

 

In his defense he didn't utter a single peep about this until it was proven to be false later in the evening. He's part of a sporting news media organization, and for all we know he was sent by his editor to get in front of this on the off chance it proved to be true.

[BTS]

Davidi didn't s*** on fans in the slightest. I read the article a second time and it outlined the dangers of blindly believing unverified social media posts that whipped all of MLB as a whole into a frenzy, including executives, agents and the fanbase. I was as excited about anyone yesterday, but at the end of the day that's on me for allowing myself to get caught up in the frenzy. This is a case of people choosing to be offended instead of reflecting on their own actions.

 

In his defense he didn't utter a single peep about this until it was proven to be false later in the evening. He's part of a sporting news media organization, and for all we know he was sent by his editor to get in front of this on the off chance it proved to be true.

 

I didn't read the article, but fans were listening to an employee of MLB Network (Jon Morosi) who admittedly shared misinformation, and another writer in LA who's part of the BBWAA (Hoornstra).

[Rusty_Savage]

I didn't read the article, but fans were listening to an employee of MLB Network (Jon Morosi) who admittedly shared misinformation, and another writer in LA who's part of the BBWAA (Hoornstra).

FWIW Hoornstra is standing by his statement and said he hasn't heard anything different from his source.

 

I just want this whole saga to be over

 

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[BTS]

FWIW Hoornstra is standing by his statement and said he hasn't heard anything different from his source.

 

I just want this whole saga to be over

 

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, it isn't clear that Hoornstra has done anything wrong until and unless Ohtani signs elsewhere. I just think it's silly for Shi Davidi to scold fans for believing people like him and Morosi, who is employed by MLB and regularly cited as an insider by Sportsnet.

[Marew]

I’m just glad it’s finally over and we signed him. The off-season isn’t nearly as depressing as I thought it would be knowing what we have to look forward to. Assuming we get Bauer or this other Japanese superstar and trade manoah for some HOF 3rd basemen

[max silver]

Yeah, it isn't clear that Hoornstra has done anything wrong until and unless Ohtani signs elsewhere. I just think it's silly for Shi Davidi to scold fans for believing people like him and Morosi, who is employed by MLB and regularly cited as an insider by Sportsnet.

 

I suggest you can consider reading the piece and then judge for yourself if there is any "scolding" whatsoever contained within. To my eyes it read as more of a precautionary piece warning not to get too excited before credible sources (Morosi aside) begin to corroborate what is being reported.

[BigCecil]

If this gets closed I see the value of the deal in protecting the reno and development facility investments. Its an argument to justify the ticket price increases. It can make business sense.

 

On the field it immediately adds what we needed offensively and there is no doubt for a few years at least it could help propel us to some great seasons, and some playoff success. Any way you slice it, it will be incredibly exciting.

 

Given he is 30 already (as we watch Springer's apparent aging curve decline - TBD) and his arm injury history I do think about the Miggy and Pujols endless end of career tour 0 WAR expensive seasons and cringe. If we win another WS ring, we likely all won't give a s***, and it will all be worth it. #FlagsFlyForever

Edited December 9, 2023 by BigCecil

[metafour]

I suggest you read the piece and judge for yourself if there is any "scolding" whatsoever contained within. To my eyes it read as more of a precautionary piece warning not to get too excited before credible sources (Morosi aside) begin to corroborate what is being reported.

 

How cute of Mr. Davidi to play the "voice of reason" after the fact. If he holds such wisdom and journalistic integrity, why didn't he stop some of his colleagues at his own network from partaking yesterday?

 

He's just being spineless and trying to deflect from the s***-show that his colleagues in the industry started and helped enflame yesterday. He's being a good little boy. But he's actually correct, the general public should NOT trust anything that any corporate journalist reports. That includes himself.

[dineke]

Yesterday was fun as f***. Why shouldn't fans get excited? They're reporting on sports not something actually important.

[max silver]

How cute of Mr. Davidi to play the "voice of reason" after the fact. If he holds such wisdom and journalistic integrity, why didn't he stop some of his colleagues at his own network from partaking yesterday?

 

He's just being spineless and trying to deflect from the s***-show that his colleagues in the industry started and helped enflame yesterday. He's being a good little boy. But he's actually correct, the general public should NOT trust anything that any corporate journalist reports. That includes himself.

 

Have you read the article? Right at the very beginning he directly implicates the Dodgers Nation writer as having jumped the gun.

 

Last I checked Davidi isn't the head of Rogers Media or Sportsnet as a whole so I don't know what you expected for him to do to direct the networks decision making with regards to covering this situation as it unfolded. If it actually proved to be true they would be left holding their dicks and be completely behind the news cycle.

[Jays24]

Just desd silence after all that yesterday. Not a good sign tbh lol

[max silver]

Just desd silence after all that yesterday. Not a good sign tbh lol

 

I would guess that the baseball journalism world as a whole is going to be very cautious after yesterday's speculative traditional and social media frenzy.

[Jays24]

I would guess that the baseball journalism world as a whole is going to be very cautious after yesterday's speculative traditional and social media frenzy.

 

That's how they should always be and what is supposed to make them better than the average idiot on social media.

[max silver]

That's how they should always be and what is supposed to make them better than the average idiot on social media.

 

It seems that a few members of the BBWWA really jumped the gun yesterday which really allowed the whole mess to take off. It's a sad day when Jim Bowden of all people is a voice of reason in the online discourse.

[Dick_Pole]

Twisted Logic got absolutely bodied in this comment chain lol

 

 

If you're in the GTA, try to avoid malls and other large public gatherings for the next few days. This guy is going to hit his breaking point sooner or later and it won't be pretty.

[Dick_Pole]

The funny part is, from a baseball standpoint this probably isn't even a smart signing.

 

You have a guy who's already on his second elbow surgery in a matter of a few years, even when he comes back to pitch, who knows how long he can do both at an elite level, yet he will be paid an enormous sum of money for a significant amount of time based on the assumption that he does both for at least a large portion of that contract. It's also assuming that his body doesn't wear down in general and his ability to hit at a high level also declines rapidly.

 

Yet, everybody wants him, and nobody really cares about such risk in this moment. The anticipation has built to a fever pitch. The pain of rejection would be significant.

 

Although you started off saying that this is from a baseball standpoint, I think we can safely assume this is more about Rogers the media empire rather than just the MLB team. There has to be someone in the corporate finance department who views anything below $50 million/year salary as an immediate cash flow positive outcome, regardless of on-field performance.

[Omar]

After the mundane and frustrating end to the season we just witnessed, the excitement was well overdue. I was all over it. At the end of the day we're fans. Can't blame anyone for wanting a little joy in their corner of the baseball world.

 

The plane, fake tweets, speculation, outrage from fans of other teams, the highs, the lows, etc....all part of a crazy day. As it should be.

[Dick_Pole]

Yesterday was fun as f***. Why shouldn't fans get excited? They're reporting on sports not something actually important.

 

People talking about all this "fake news" s*** as if that isn't all of the media, all of the time. Pretty much since Orson Welles accidentally tricked a bunch of people into believing Martians had landed. Social media just made it even easier for mass hysteria and false rumours to spread.

[metafour]

Have you read the article? Right at the very beginning he directly implicates the Dodgers Nation writer as having jumped the gun.

 

Last I checked Davidi isn't the head of Rogers Media or Sportsnet as a whole so I don't know what you expected for him to do to direct the networks decision making with regards to covering this situation as it unfolded. If it actually proved to be true they would be left holding their dicks and be completely behind the news cycle.

 

I read the article. It reads as after-the-fact "holier than thou" damage control for his industry. Notice how he has no problem throwing some random Dodgers writer under the bus, but nowhere in his timeline of events does he name Jon Morosi literally reporting that Ohtani was flying to Toronto? Wasn't that a significant event yesterday? He paints the timeline as some crazy series of wild suggestions that you'd have to be stupid to believe as true (the opera singer storyline), but conveniently omits his own colleagues being balls-deep in the events.

 

Read the article a bit more carefully, Max. Notice this little gem?

 

"Ohtani is thought to be nearing a decision and the Blue Jays very much remain in play, but nothing is set as of yet, an industry source told me and Ben Nicholson-Smith."

 

But wait, Ben Nicholson-Smith was literally active on Twitter yesterday liking and retweeting suggestions of Ohtani's flight to Toronto. So he was in fact at least partly in the group that Davidi is lecturing for "believing silly rumors", but yet here he is now being depicted after the fact as being part of the team that "confirmed through industry sources" that the whole thing wasn't trued at all. No, Shi - neither you nor Ben Nicholson-Smith confirmed anything. Their statements came after Bob Nightengale and others made statements. But again, his colleague got led along, so now Shi is rewriting events to make it sound like it was just some rando Dodgers writers and "cRaZy fAn drIvEn conSpirAcY thEorIes" that created this entire story.

 

It's a spineless article from someone who has zero sources whatsoever. He did nothing to "confirm" anything yesterday, and today he wants to play the journalistic hero by teaching us all not to believe silly rumors - all the while cleverly insulating his journalistic friends who f***ed up. Thanks, Shi.

[jaysblue]

Shi Davidi was probably pissed off he wasted his Friday night driving all the way out to Derry Road for nothing. Then driving back downtown during rush hour. He wasn't in the best of moods yesterday probably haha.

[BTS]

I read the article. It reads as after-the-fact "holier than thou" damage control for his industry. Notice how he has no problem throwing some random Dodgers writer under the bus, but nowhere in his timeline of events does he name Jon Morosi literally reporting that Ohtani was flying to Toronto? Wasn't that a significant event yesterday? He paints the timeline as some crazy series of wild suggestions that you'd have to be stupid to believe as true (the opera singer storyline), but conveniently omits his own colleagues being balls-deep in the events.

 

Read the article a bit more carefully, Max. Notice this little gem?

 

"Ohtani is thought to be nearing a decision and the Blue Jays very much remain in play, but nothing is set as of yet, an industry source told me and Ben Nicholson-Smith."

 

But wait, Ben Nicholson-Smith was literally active on Twitter yesterday liking and retweeting suggestions of Ohtani's flight to Toronto. So he was in fact at least partly in the group that Davidi is lecturing for "believing silly rumors", but yet here he is now being depicted after the fact as being part of the team that "confirmed through industry sources" that the whole thing wasn't trued at all. No, Shi - neither you nor Ben Nicholson-Smith confirmed anything. Their statements came after Bob Nightengale and others made statements. But again, his colleague got led along, so now Shi is rewriting events to make it sound like it was just some rando Dodgers writers and "cRaZy fAn drIvEn conSpirAcY thEorIes" that created this entire story.

 

It's a spineless article from someone who has zero sources whatsoever. He did nothing to "confirm" anything yesterday, and today he wants to play the journalistic hero by teaching us all not to believe silly rumors - all the while cleverly insulating his journalistic friends who f***ed up. Thanks, Shi.

 

Very cowardly to not mention Jon Morosi in his article. Probably because Morosi has a relationship with Sportsnet.

[crmr]

Very cowardly to not mention Jon Morosi in his article. Probably because Morosi has a relationship with Sportsnet.

 

And the other guy may still be right, so it's even dumber.

[metafour]

Very cowardly to not mention Jon Morosi in his article. Probably because Morosi has a relationship with Sportsnet.

 

Exactly. That was one of the biggest reports yesterday from a "TRUSTED" insider, and yet it's nowhere in his article. But he sure spends a lot of time pointing out how silly it was for anyone to believe an opera singer.

 

Morosi's colossal blunder isn't mentioned at all because he appears on Sportsnet.

 

Davidi's entire article is framed as some sort of "educational piece" on being careful what you should believe, but it's underlying point is to help out his buddies in the industry who were obviously instrumental in fanning the flames.