jaysblue

LOL but if Atkins traded for Soto, this wouldn't even be an issue! Would have been a fantastic trade!

Springer could be a zero at some point if he doesn't turn it around. Ryu was pretty much a zero the past two seasons. So not sure how they could be much different than Stanton and Rodon. Gausman is on the wrong side of 30 as well, no different than Cole lol. Judge is still one of the most fearful hitters in the game. Even in just 106 games, he posted a 5.3 WAR and 174 wRC+. He hasn't shown any deterioration in his skillset. He's going to be 32 next season, so he's only two years older than Ohtani, but you're okay with giving Ohtani a $600M contract who will be on the wrong side of 30 as well. The difference is the Yankees don't care about those worthless players they've added. Money is never an issue for them. Even if Stanton and Rodon become dead assets, won't stop them. Yankees aren't going to have another 80-82 win team in 2024. If they add Soto + other big names, they take that jump into the 88-90 win territory, making the AL East much more tougher.

Cast iron is the best!

Do we really want him playing OF into his late 30s and 40s though here? Value is tied more into his bat, and at that stage in his career would focus more on keeping him fresh and healthy. I'm just being a realist when it comes to this big type of deal. Anything can happen. You can't expect everything to be all sunshine and rainbows over those 10-12 years.

I never ruled out him ever playing another position, though majority of the contract he likely is still just a DH if he doesn't have the longevity on the mound. He can probably play a corner OF spot or 1B like you said, but do we really want him playing a position in his mid-to-late 30s just to squeeze out some extra WAR out of him if any at all, when you risk the chance of injury? His value is tied with his bat. Would rather him stay healthy and put up 5-6 WAR seasons like he did in 2023. In terms of context, if he makes a move to the OF or 1B, likely would happen at the half way point or latter part of the deal anyways. For example, he strictly is DHing in 2024. In 2025, he'll be able to pitch. He either A) stays healthy and pitches at an elite level like he has, or struggles to get through 15-20 starts and becomes fragile like an Erik Bedard or James Paxton on the mound. Or he C) pitches more like a No. 4 or 5 starter which is meh. If option A, the question is how long does that last in terms of health and pitching at an elite level into his mid-30s? If option B, likely Jays will experiment with him as a starter for a couple of years even in this situation, so he would strictly DH still. Both situations likely have him pitching into his mid-30s. If Option C, he still likely gets a couple of years in pitching as long as he's not Alex Manoah bad. So the chances of moving him off DH and the mound to transition into a full-time OF likely doesn't take place until he's 34-35 at the earliest. And at that point, maybe he's just a part-time OF who plays 70-80 games instead of 150. Only way he transitions to an OF or 1B spot early is if he gives up pitching altogether after 2025, which lets hope not.

As long as Joe Musgrove doesn't turn into Josh Johnson and Cronenworth bounces back to be a 2-3 WAR player. Also, have to hope Soto has a 5-6 WAR season again in his one season here. Otherwise it's no different than the 2013 Marlins trade.

And do you think he'll be an effective outfielder in his mid-to-late 30's when he has only played a total of 7 games in the OF from 2018-2023 in North America? Overall, his value is heavily tied to his bat, not him playing left field when he's 33 or 34.

lol

Dude, if Ohtani doesn't pitch, contract is not looking so good unless he can hit like Barry Bonds or post 5 to 6 WAR per season consistently with the bat. You seem very confident that he could play in the OF just so easily into his mid-to-late 30's, when he has only played a total of 7 games in the outfield from 2018 to 2023 here in North America. You should really temper your expectations.

When a team flies up to Toronto, their aircraft park at North Lounge on Derry Road. Usually they have to wait for two CBSA officers to come up to that area. To clear MLB teams with 26-man rosters + other coaching staff etc., takes longer than just 2 minutes. Now when the Jays go to the US, do that whole same process again wherever the Jays land in the States.

Toronto weather is still very awful in April and May is usually 50/50. September and early October can be pleasant. November not so much. June/July/August can be extremely humid here and unpleasant at times, especially in the downtown core. California weather for the most part is pleasant all year round.

Read my post FFS. Said the chances of him being an elite pitcher for several years moving forward could be slim given the injuries and age. Who knows how many years of elite pitching you get from him.

Downtown Toronto isn't what it was. It's become an ugly concrete jungle filled with high rise condos and tent cities. Plus awful weather for a good 6+ months of the year. Not sure living in a penthouse near the Rogers Centre is that appealing. Unless he buys a property in the Bridal Path or Forest Hill. As well, crossing the border every time the team comes back from a road trip. I know it's not like regular people crossing Canadian or US Customs at the airport, but still, it's time and a process. Whereas if he plays in the US, doesn't have to worry about that. In LA, he could buy himself an oceanfront house in Malibu or somewhere in Beverly Hills and have his privacy. He has nice weather all year round. As well, if he wanted to beat the LA traffic, sure he could easily charter a private Heli to Dodgers Stadium everyday lol.

I would rather see him join the Jays and help the team win a World Series or two.

If the Jays win a World Series during the time Ohtani is here, couldn't care if he pumped out a negative WAR season at the age of 39.

Yeah obviously myself as well, but we both know a huge contract like that comes with risk. If the Jays don't win a World Series with him here or come close, likely looking back at that contract down the road as an albatross.

I definitely would have mixed reactions. Would be super excited to see the Jays landing one of the biggest FA's in the history of all sports. At the same time, the type of figures and years thrown around for a player who is going to be 30 + and who might only be strictly regulated to a DH role and not be an elite pitcher anymore is a bit concerning long term. Pretty much, you have to hope Ohtani hits like Barry Bonds for the next decade to justify the contract if he is strictly a DH. Not sure how many years you can get from him pitching at an elite level, but I doubt he makes over 25 starts again in a single season. I said this before, but would save him as a pitcher only in the second half and for the Postseason. No need for him to make starts in April. Jays have the luxury and depth to do that. At the end of the day, not my money and as a fan would love to see Ohtani here. Obviously understand the risks involved in a long term deal like this. Gotta hope the Jays take advantage in the early years of his contract in terms of going on a serious run for a World Series. Flags fly forever and if Ohtani helped bring a World Series to Toronto in the next 2-3 seasons, doubt we care what happens from 2030 on with the Jays.

They definitely did wonders on Vladdy, Kirk and Manoah!

Had some Wagyu beef tonight! Was pretty darn delicious!

Trade for both Machado and Soto!

Yeah people who think he could live more freely in Toronto vs. LA, give me a break.

Fedde signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the White Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Does anyone know who Ohtani's barber is?

Someone should make a Josh Donaldson thread!

That's what she said.