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Harry Palmer wrote:What is the deal on his not pitching, btw? His idea, team’s rec, something he’s wanted for a while, for good or for a break, what? Because if he’s just a hitter, don’t get me wrong he’s among the best, but ‘among the best hitters’ is miles less value than that + one of the best pitchers. Is the thinking that his hitting will take a leap with less wear and tear?

Mehar wrote:Will take 10 years 500 million to get him, maybe at a minimum 450 million over 10 years. Not seeing Rogers pony up that kind of money for Ohtani, even if I wish they could. Most likely he ends up with the Dodgers, since apparently he loves living in Southern California and prefers to stay on the West Coast.

LBJKB24MJ23 wrote:

Mehar wrote:Will take 10 years 500 million to get him, maybe at a minimum 450 million over 10 years. Not seeing Rogers pony up that kind of money for Ohtani, even if I wish they could. Most likely he ends up with the Dodgers, since apparently he loves living in Southern California and prefers to stay on the West Coast.

Dude would be a spokesperson for the entire brand. He’d be the face of the franchise and Rogers telecommunications.

Ohtani’s brand worth also sits outside of the franchise. Which is worthwhile for a company that also owns the Jays.

This goes beyond baseball for Rogers.

On asking players on the current roster to help recruit free agents

“Absolutely, yeah, we always do … Every situation is different based on (which recruiters) we think will have the biggest impact. And then we were also very cognizant of ... truly individualizing that in a way that (free agents) understand that we know them as individuals and we want to lean into that. We don't ever want it to feel as though it’s anything but unique and something very special.”

Atkins didn’t address Ohtani in particular here, so what follows is speculation. But if you were pursuing Ohtani and you wanted to show him how well you understood him and how much you care about him as a person, you’d probably reach out to the person who went to the same high school, wore the same number growing up and successfully made the transition from rural Japan to the West Coast of the U.S. to Toronto: Yusei Kikuchi. Now, we don’t know for a fact that Kikuchi’s been involved in the Blue Jays’ pursuit, but to say it’s imaginable might be an understatement.

Lateral Quicks wrote:I dunno, committing that kind of money to a guy coming off his second TJ surgery - and who won't even pitch until 2025 at the earliest, assuming he ever does again - seems like a pretty big risk. I guess they figure they'll make lots of it back in marketing, but still.

Do we want to be paying Ohtani $50M per year from age 35 to 40?

If we have this kind of money to spend, I'd rather trade for and lock up a younger player (or two) to a monster deal.

Obviously I'd be happy to sign Ohtani, but these big numbers are a massive risk for the organization.

Lateral Quicks wrote:I dunno, committing that kind of money to a guy coming off his second TJ surgery - and who won't even pitch until 2025 at the earliest, assuming he ever does again - seems like a pretty big risk. I guess they figure they'll make lots of it back in marketing, but still.

Do we want to be paying Ohtani $50M per year from age 35 to 40?

If we have this kind of money to spend, I'd rather trade for and lock up a younger player (or two) to a monster deal.

Obviously I'd be happy to sign Ohtani, but these big numbers are a massive risk for the organization.

LBJKB24MJ23 wrote:

Mehar wrote:Will take 10 years 500 million to get him, maybe at a minimum 450 million over 10 years. Not seeing Rogers pony up that kind of money for Ohtani, even if I wish they could. Most likely he ends up with the Dodgers, since apparently he loves living in Southern California and prefers to stay on the West Coast.

Dude would be a spokesperson for the entire brand. He’d be the face of the franchise and Rogers telecommunications.

Ohtani’s brand worth also sits outside of the franchise. Which is worthwhile for a company that also owns the Jays.

This goes beyond baseball for Rogers.

LLJ wrote:

Lateral Quicks wrote:I dunno, committing that kind of money to a guy coming off his second TJ surgery - and who won't even pitch until 2025 at the earliest, assuming he ever does again - seems like a pretty big risk. I guess they figure they'll make lots of it back in marketing, but still.

Do we want to be paying Ohtani $50M per year from age 35 to 40?

If we have this kind of money to spend, I'd rather trade for and lock up a younger player (or two) to a monster deal.

Obviously I'd be happy to sign Ohtani, but these big numbers are a massive risk for the organization.

Jays landing THE big name player only to find he is damaged goods is the most Toronto thing ever

vaff87 wrote:

LLJ wrote:

Lateral Quicks wrote:I dunno, committing that kind of money to a guy coming off his second TJ surgery - and who won't even pitch until 2025 at the earliest, assuming he ever does again - seems like a pretty big risk. I guess they figure they'll make lots of it back in marketing, but still.

Do we want to be paying Ohtani $50M per year from age 35 to 40?

If we have this kind of money to spend, I'd rather trade for and lock up a younger player (or two) to a monster deal.

Obviously I'd be happy to sign Ohtani, but these big numbers are a massive risk for the organization.

Jays landing THE big name player only to find he is damaged goods is the most Toronto thing ever

The thing is he’s still the best hitter in baseball. He would hit 50 home runs playing in the Rogers Centre/AL East no problem. But there’s also a good chance he may also be a Cy Young contender while he’s doing that.

Lateral Quicks wrote:

vaff87 wrote:

LLJ wrote:
Jays landing THE big name player only to find he is damaged goods is the most Toronto thing ever

The thing is he’s still the best hitter in baseball. He would hit 50 home runs playing in the Rogers Centre/AL East no problem. But there’s also a good chance he may also be a Cy Young contender while he’s doing that.

True, but he's also 29. I'm assuming the deal would likely be until his age 40 season. While there are lots of examples of pitchers being successful until then, for hitters there are far less so. This could turn into a Pujols like contract for like the last half. That said, it would be a demonstration that they want to win NOW, and for the foreseeable future - would make for a very entertaining half decade of Blue Jays baseball.

Hoopstarr wrote:1. This is huge and insane
2. I would kinda rather have Soto. If Ohtani isn't pitching anymore then it's not even a question as Soto is younger and more slump proof with his walk rate.

DelAbbot wrote:Why is everyone ignoring the fact he is on his 2nd Tommy John surgery this offseason?

That elbow surgery affects hitting too, not just throwing. Especially for a power hitter. I see a disastrously bad contract in a year or two with Ohtani if he signs 500M+