Around Baseball 2024

[Brownie19]

It was already explained right off the top. Ohtani knew about the gambling debts and paid them off for him. Your agent doesn't just come out and say that without knowing something. To believe the lawyer crafted second story strikes me as a little naive. Ohtani himself lied to the media about a fan interaction a couple of weeks later. It's not as if he deserves any benefit of the doubt.

 

What makes you say that? I believe it's quite common that once lawyers get involved, the tell their clients what to say to help get them out of it.

 

It also seems plausible that the interpreter has access to Ohtani's account (he's more than an interpreter - more of a personal assistant) and that the interpreter lied about how much money he needed to cover the debts and took more than Ohtani authorized.

[Grant77]

What makes you say that? I believe it's quite common that once lawyers get involved, the tell their clients what to say to help get them out of it.

 

It also seems plausible that the interpreter has access to Ohtani's account (he's more than an interpreter - more of a personal assistant) and that the interpreter lied about how much money he needed to cover the debts and took more than Ohtani authorized.

 

I think you answered the question yourself. The lawyers crafted a story to help him get out of his situation. You really believe that is the true story? I don't.

 

The initial explanation from his agent would seem to be far more authentic. Why would he lie at that point?

 

Sure, it's plausible that Mizuhara had access to the bank accounts, but that doesn't really matter if you believe the initial explanation. I really can't get over that hurdle. Ohtani's primary representative, his agent,

knew about the gambling debts, the payments that Ohtani made, and he told us.

 

It's right there, they told us the truth right off the top. I've never seen a situation like this where people believe the backpedaling, without any evidence to support it.

[Laika]

Was it Ohtani's agent? I thought it was a "spokesperson" making those initial comments and that spokesperson was a pretty new hire by Ohtani

[Jimcanuck]

MLB protecting its marquee player.

 

Petey was already retired so MLB had no plm hitting him with a ban.

 

Bauer and Franco became too toxic as assets. Detrimental to a large segment of the fanbase.

 

$$$$$ is the main criteria for these decisions.

[Jimcanuck]

Even with all the pitcher injuries, Bauer is still out there unsigned.

[BTS]

Even with all the pitcher injuries, Bauer is still out there unsigned.

 

It’s weird he hasn’t signed in Japan yet. Possibly talking to a team in MLB?

[Jimcanuck]

It’s weird he hasn’t signed in Japan yet. Possibly talking to a team in MLB?

 

Perhaps or he only went to Japan to showcase, and get back into MLB. That didn't work, and he probably prefers being in the USA. Money not an issue for him.

[wilko]

It’s weird he hasn’t signed in Japan yet. Possibly talking to a team in MLB?

 

He signed with a team in Mexico.

[Brownie19]

I think you answered the question yourself. The lawyers crafted a story to help him get out of his situation. You really believe that is the true story? I don't.

 

The initial explanation from his agent would seem to be far more authentic. Why would he lie at that point?

 

Sure, it's plausible that Mizuhara had access to the bank accounts, but that doesn't really matter if you believe the initial explanation. I really can't get over that hurdle. Ohtani's primary representative, his agent,

knew about the gambling debts, the payments that Ohtani made, and he told us.

 

It's right there, they told us the truth right off the top. I've never seen a situation like this where people believe the backpedaling, without any evidence to support it.

 

Sorry - I think we're mis-communicating.

 

I read "To believe the lawyer crafted the second story strikes me as a little naive" as in we're naive to believe that Ohtani's lawyer crafted the 2nd story.....I think you're suggesting we're naive if we believe the second story (that the lawyer obviously crafted). I don't think many (any?) actually believe the 2nd story is 100% true. I think most know it was crafted by his lawyer to protect Ohtani.

 

I think it's pretty obvious they had to change the initial story because there were components of it that could have gotten him into a lot of trouble.....that's why the lawyer was brought in and that's why the 2nd story was created.

[Grant77]

Was it Ohtani's agent? I thought it was a "spokesperson" making those initial comments and that spokesperson was a pretty new hire by Ohtani

 

I have read that Ohtani's agent is person that gave the information to the spokesperson. There's a lot of conflicting information out there, so please correct me if that's wrong. If the information came from Ohtani himself, it's even more damning. Without more information, I refuse to believe that the spokesperson simply fabricated the story.

[Grant77]

Sorry - I think we're mis-communicating.

 

I read "To believe the lawyer crafted the second story strikes me as a little naive" as in we're naive to believe that Ohtani's lawyer crafted the 2nd story.....I think you're suggesting we're naive if we believe the second story (that the lawyer obviously crafted). I don't think many (any?) actually believe the 2nd story is 100% true. I think most know it was crafted by his lawyer to protect Ohtani.

 

I think it's pretty obvious they had to change the initial story because there were components of it that could have gotten him into a lot of trouble.....that's why the lawyer was brought in and that's why the 2nd story was created.

 

That's correct and I mostly agree. However, I do see a lot of people who either don't know that the original statement exists, or are ignoring it.

[Laika]

I have read that Ohtani's agent is person that gave the information to the spokesperson. There's a lot of conflicting information out there, so please correct me if that's wrong. If the information came from Ohtani himself, it's even more damning. Without more information, I refuse to believe that the spokesperson simply fabricated the story.

 

Just hard to crucify Shohei himself when there were multiple intermediaries, an interpreter, and a language barrier.

 

I understand your perspective though.

[BTS]

He signed with a team in Mexico.

 

Ah, I didn’t even know. Thought he was still sitting around waiting for a job

[Terminator]

Yeah with all the moving parts it's difficult to say Ohtani is guilty of anything.

 

Seems just as likely that he's extremely hands off with his money and his #1 assistant (the dude was way more than an interpreter) and best friend took advantage.

 

That happens all the time to athletes.

 

The story changing is weird but when his interpreter and #1 guy was also the culprit it's easy to see how that could happen.

[Terminator]

I'd also like to point out that I am the proud owner of Ohtani in a highly competitive dynasty league.

 

I realize I have a conflict of interest but at least Ohtani is only accused of, at worst, sports betting.

 

Whereas there is a poster on this board who found themselves in a similar situation, only his player was accused of PEDOPHILIA.

 

So assail my character all you want in this situation, but please know that I would never stoop to that level. I just thought it was important to set the record straight there.

 

Thank you.

[wilko]

Ah, I didn’t even know. Thought he was still sitting around waiting for a job

 

I found out from the YouTube algorithm.

 

[Laika]

Kiley McDaniel

@kileymcd

LHP Jordan Montgomery has hired Wasserman’s Joel Wolfe & Nick Chanock as his agents, per sources.

 

Montgomery was one of the Boras Four, who were unsigned late into free agency.

 

I projected he would get 5 yrs, $106M and he eventually signed for 1 yr, $25M w/Arizona on March 26.

 

 

Scott Baris, retire bitch

[Krylian]

Scott Baris, retire bitch

 

Any chance teams are purposely making it more difficult on Boras clients to make a point?

[Laika]

Any chance teams are purposely making it more difficult on Boras clients to make a point?

 

That would be pretty wild. I don't think so.

[glory]

Any chance teams are purposely making it more difficult on Boras clients to make a point?

 

I doubt it. Boras just had a very flawed group of FAs at the same time that the regional sports network issues changed the financial landscape for many of the teams. That will change this coming winter with Soto, Bregman, Alonso, etc.

[mphenhef]

I doubt it. Boras just had a very flawed group of FAs at the same time that the regional sports network issues changed the financial landscape for many of the teams. That will change this coming winter with Soto, Bregman, Alonso, etc.

 

Hopefully teams don't consider being an unlikeable dbag a flaw as Bregman and Alonso could have some trouble if so.

[Jimcanuck]

DOJ announcement at 1:30 pm regarding Ohtani invest

[Jimcanuck]

Apparently the interpreter stole $16M and is in guilty plea negotiations

[Orgfiller]

The Royals, who are on a 6-game win streak, just put up a 5 spot against the Astros in the first inning. Hunter Brown is getting hit around.

[Orgfiller]

7 runs now, he's not fooling literally anyone. 30 pitches, no swings and misses, the Royals are poking line drives all over the place like it's batting practice.

[Orgfiller]

Bobby Witt Jr., who might be a top 5 player in baseball already, just homered. 9-0.

[Laika]

The Royals, who are on a 6-game win streak, just put up a 5 spot against the Astros in the first inning. Hunter Brown is getting hit around.

 

The Royals might actually be good

 

The top 6 in their lineup are all just legitimately good hitters. Witt, Pasta, Melendez are all good young players. Maikel Garcia is sneaky good and has good exit velos. Velazquez is a tank. Sal Perez is a reliable old f***.

 

Frazier + Renroe lengthen the roster and Isbel can field.

 

Ragans is an Ace, they reinforced the rotation with Wacha and Lugo... Marsh and Singer have made some changes...

 

The ALC is a legit 4 team race. Crazy.

[Orgfiller]

This might be one of the worst first innings ever for a guy who only walked one hitter, his last. 40 pitches, 1 swinging strike, 8 hard hit balls - 6 above 99 mph, 4 above 105, 95.7 mph avg exit velo against.

[Abomination]

I doubt it. Boras just had a very flawed group of FAs at the same time that the regional sports network issues changed the financial landscape for many of the teams. That will change this coming winter with Soto, Bregman, Alonso, etc.

 

Boras misread the market. It's not the first time it's happened either, but he seemed to learn from last time and got the players short-term face saving deals this time rather than sitting them out until the all-star break.

[BTS]

So I guess Hunter Brown just isn't very good?