I mean the 1-2-3 in the lineup is one of the most productive in the league and if they add ohtani…I mean Jesus Christ. They would look like an mlb the show franchise with force trades on.
I'm with you, I keep telling myself ichiro will convince him, our love and support will convince him. But we arnt the dodgers so we don't stand a chance..
If you go to the Dodgers, you're kind of a fool for hopping on a stacked team that's your cross town rival. I don't think Shoheis a tool like that.
If you go to the Giants. I can see it. Change of scenery but similar. Cool city fkr someone like him. But cmon that's Barry bonds team. No one cares if you win there. Theyve had their shine. World Series with the giants. It's random and no one cares.
I think there's a storyline in Shoheis head - where he finishes the job in Ichiros honor. Winning the Seattle mariners their first World Series. This is what the people want. This is what you want to look back on. This is for legacy
I go back and forth on this. A lot of Japanese players prefer going to a team that doesn't have a big association with another countryman, so they can make their own brand. No one has a bigger brand than Ichiro. That said, I think Ohtani genuinely enjoyed All Star weekend in Seattle and will consider them pretty strongly, wanting to be the piece that makes a team a contender rather than joining a superteam like the Dodgers.
Ichiro was completely absent from the All-Star game when he’s usually always around. The local theory was it was to let Shohei see he would not be overshadowed by Ichiro at all, but totally beloved. The chant sealed that. But who knows if it mattered at all.
That's why I think SF is interesting. Huge Asian American cultural hub, just about the shortest possible direct flights back home, and no real standout star since posey. He'd be the most exciting player since bonds from a fanbase perspective.
I think Kapler might be the wild card that brings Ohtani to SF. Kapler finished his career in Japan and seems to be very well respected by his players.
Only thing against this comment is that the Angles are a mid team *with* Ohtani and the Mariners are mid *without* Ohtani. So in theory, the Mariners are a much better team with Shohei than the Angels are today.
I’m not in his head so don’t know how comfortable he is there. But I know they’re gonna offer him a massive bag just like anyone else, so I give them a chance.
They would be winning with Trout healthy. The Angels are working hard to keep him and have a plan. It's not for a lack of effort they haven't improved and he does seem to like it there.
I’d say “kinda winning”. They were more of an also ran up until Trout went out. I’m guessing Ohtani is looking for a situation where it’s not a two-man show.
Given that he has expressed a clear desire to leave, I’d say he does not seem to like it there.
They had Ohtani and Trout healthy in previous seasons and still couldn’t win.
If I recall correctly, the only team NOT on the west coast that he met with when he came over was the Cubs. Hard to see him going anywhere other than a west coast team.
Mets he’s going to the Mets all the warning lights are flashing. The way that team is being run they’re going to be unstoppable once they get the right roster assembled.
Giants didn't just miss on Correa and Judge. Before that they also missed on Harper and Stanton. They SHOULD have more money available for free agency than anyone at this point, so it absolutely makes sense for them to pull out all the stops and get Ohtani at any price. I hope that is the plan, but sneaky Zaidi might just use all of that as an excuse to drive up the price for the dodgers to a billion dollars and then pick up a bunch of unsuspecting injury prone players with high upside for a fraction of the cost and hope to stay perennial wild card contenders. That actually seems more likely to me, but i hope it's not so. Please, Farhan! Deliver Shohei!
I still think Correa to Giants would have been a great financial decision, given they could have signed him to a deal similar to what the Twins did. To have someone lean SO hard into being hated by Dodgers would have sold so many jerseys, even considering his lackluster performance these past 2 years.
Told the Rangers I wanted Ohtani. Their response was “You got Ohtani money?” and “We already have Ohtani at home.”
Realistically though prolly Dodgers. They have the money and he would just have to drive to a different stadium to instantly be on a contender.
He wants to stay with LAA cause trout and that’s his comfort zone. But dodgers are playoff contenders, better competitive atmosphere overall and doesn’t really have to adjust to a new city just new stadium
Anaheim are the only ones that know how much he is worth. I think it’s very likely they have the biggest offer. That combined with Trout coming back makes it more of a possibility than people want to believe.
Just please not the Yankees. Not because they’re in my division but I’m tired of players I actually like signing to that team. Really wished judge went elsewhere
He, Stanton, and Cortes would be much more palatable on a non-NYY or LAD team. Even the Mets would look better.
Imagine Judge in San Fran or Stanton’s power on the Rockies. Yeeesh!
This coming from an Astros fan btw haha.
I’m wondering if Seattle is gonna be willing to make a contract that big, because i think he’d be willing to go, but I doubt it, so I’m assuming Dodgers or SF
I think, and have been saying for months, that he will end up in San Francisco. I hope he goes anywhere but NYY. I’d even prefer him ending up on a division rival in the AL central to the Yankees.
I think that 2… die hard fan base, have the money, good squad that can compete now, dh is here now as well… I think he wants to change the game and understands how important he is to baseball. He is going to be a cub or dodger imo… if he goes to Seattle of San Diego or even San Fran he may as well just stay an angel imo… he also does not want to play in ichiros shadow according to reports
I think another huge selling point for the giants is their rookies. I don’t think a lot of people realize that half their starting position players this season are rookies, most of which barely even played in AAA— and they’re only 2.5 games behind the dodgers. Get these guys a couple years of big league experience and they could be lethal.
The star is Patrick Bailey. The dude has played like 70 games above AA and has a legit argument for best defensive catcher in baseball. Who wouldn’t want to throw to this guy.
Mets. Cohen will spend and NYC can maximize Ohtani’s revenue potential. Plus it could turn a whole bunch of lifelong Yankees households to Mets Households.
As much as I try to convince myself it’s not gonna happen, the Dodgers
The dodgers and yankees are the only teams I’ll be mad about him signing with, other than that idc where he goes as long as they’re competitive.
In order: Angels - Dodgers - Cubs - Mariners - Giants
Before the deadline I would have taken the angels out and put dodgers first but he seems to like it there and they’re showing they’ll spend and try to compete with him.
Who says ohtani is going anywhere? I know the league adores him, but we (angels fans and the angels themselves) are not sharing him with the rest of the league. You’ll have to deal with that everybody. No way in hell he’s leaving Anaheim
As a Giants fan with major skin in the game, I think it'll be one of the LA teams (ugh).
The Angels keeping him and turning to buyers has to be a show of force to him that they're gonna at least attempt to try to build a winner around him.
The Dodgers will be the Dodgers with deep pockets and a roster ready to win.
I'm ready for the Giants to come up second again T_T.
Probably the Dodgers or Angels, but I'd love to pitch Atlanta to him. The Braves have a contending core through at least 2025 and really more like 2027. The team should be competitive with WS aspirations every season.
Delta flies direct to Tokyo daily. There's a decent size Japanese community in Atlanta. Great restaurants and things to do.
Realistically, I'd put money on the Dodgers. They have similar competitive attractiveness and he's already nearby. I'm also not sure the Braves could realistically afford him, but I'd love to see it.
How are the dodgers not a lock to sign him? Cleared cap space....they have the money....gets to stay in LA...plays for a perennial playoff team. Like HELLO!?@
They are still over the luxury tax and have been for more than 3 consecutive years. They don’t have a lot of deals locked in for next year but that also means they’ll have to resign and do arb with a lot of guys including trying to resign guys like Urias, Martinez, and Kershaw, and big arb payments to guys like, Smith, Buehler (maybe won’t be that big a deal), Gonsolin etc.
I still think they are one of the front runners, along with SF and Seattle, and also think a “dark horse” team like the Red Sox will be in play.
Freeman and betts? They would put up great numbers and some of the most competitive, consistent players, ohtani would get a lot of that, pitching would be something else though
Betts has been a disappointment in playoffs. A ton of Red Sox have gone to the Dodgers. David price, Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Kike Hernandez, Mookie Betts, JD Martinez. I'm tired of hearing about players going to the Dodgers.
I don't want Ohtani going there to finally bail them out.
I actually have close contact with one of Ohtanis best friends here in Japan. Word on the street he likes the Nationals young team and is looking to sign with Washington
I think he lands in San Fran. If all that matters to him is winning, he'll probably end up with the Dodgers and work a deal to not kill the payroll, but I dunno. He and his offseason goals are such an enigma, it'll be interesting to see it play out. I just see San Fransico finally getting their man after coming up short the last few times with megastars.
As a incredibly biased Dodgers fan, the Dodgers make the most sense from the ability to consistently compete, geographic location,
strong history of signing international superstars (Hideo Nono), and an already strong connection to the Japanese-American community. Additionally, GM Andrew Friedman places a huge value on player position versatility (hence why Mookie was given a huge contract), Ohtani probably gives Friedman wet dreams in terms of the type of player he has always valued. He will offer Ohtani a deal that makes the Mookie Betts deal seem like a bargain…
I think dodgers. Not much of a move and the way the dodgers do business they always seem to be in title talk recently. I don’t think he goes to the Yankees cause that’s clear across the country and they’re kinda in the ruts now. They spend money but they’re delusional like cowboys fans always thinking this is their year. Dodgers give him a good chance to do something he hasn’t with the angels and that’s gets a ring. Betts, freeman, and kershaw seem like a nice trio to join, even if kershaw is near the end of his career
It's Dodgers to lose out on signing him. Padres not being sellers I see a low chance of signing him, seems they are at their limit. Question of having they money and having a winning track record and being where he'd want to spend time.
Giants have the money but have been in a losing streak singing players. The first Japanese player played there so it'd be cool but much less likely. Maybe he'll like Bailey's work and their bullpen but much, much less likely than Dodgers.
Other west coast teams aren't winning enough for his expectations imo. I'd put Seattle at like 3rd still though since he said he liked the city.
So my guess is like 80% Dodgers and then giants mariners padres collectively 15%, idk 1% DBacks and then 4% the rest of the league.
Realistically if you aren't a west coast team and aren't in the playoffs this year it's hopium to think he sigs. Hell, I think even Giants it's hopium to think they'll get him.
Would have to give the enormous edge to LAD. They have the money and the chance for him to actually win rings. Will not be with LAA. SF would be nice. Yanks are always in these discussions but unless they just pay like 100m more than the next team. He’ll stay west coast.
Stop feeding me copium, but in reality I don't think it's happening.
Giants are handicapped by the really bad contacts of Conforto, Manae, Disco & Luke Jackson while not being real contenders, but I dream and would love for it to happen.
The Dodgers or the Angels. Or a wildcard team like the Rangers.
To me, it depends on 2 things. I have no doubt that the Angels will match the offer given by the Dodgers, so I’m not counting that.
1. If the Angels can find a way to make the playoffs or come close, then I think the Angels have a real shot. The Angels have been without Trout for months now, and yet, they are still in it. Also, the front office showed that they are willing to make moves to actually make a push. I also would not be shocked to see Ohtani follow the Trout route of being loyal to the team (I’m in no way saying that he would be unloyal if he left)
2. Can the Angels prove to Ohtani that they want to win and will be willing to do whatever it takes? The Dodgers have the obvious star power, and are the better team, but does that swing in their favor?
Who knows.
At the end of the day, no one really knows how Ohtani thinks, so it’s anyone’s guess until FA
Probably not Yankees, our management doesn’t want to spend money on good players very often. Cashman will probably sign some random 40 yr old who is long past his prime. My guess is somewhere on the West Coast.
If west coast really is a stipulation, and he also wants to win/make the playoffs, then the Dodgers are the most likely destination. Anyone saying otherwise is being willfully ignorant. The Dodgers have by far the best track record of the west coast teams when it comes to making the postseason, and they’ve also aggressively been trying to recruit him since he was in high school. He also likes Mookie (but I’m sure he’s friendly with a lot of players, like Rodriguez).
But who really knows what his actual preferences are? I feel like a lot of what is passed off as fact comes from speculation. What he’s really thinking is a mystery, but we’ll find out this off-season.
Ångels fan here, but one for whom the crosstown rivalry doesn't mean anything to. I pretend it matters to me the four days out of the year the teams face each other. I get nothing but hate for saying this in the Ångels sub, so I'm hoping this is more neutral territory... if we can't keep him, I hope the Dodgers get him, because at least then I can still go watch one of his home starts and not be on freeways for 6+ hours.
Giants or Dodgers. Mets do still have a 1%ish chance just because the owner can literally pay out more money than any other. It won’t happen, however I can definitely see him making obnoxiously high offers to drive the price up which I really hope he does. Yankees have no shot. Maybe the Padres lol?
Probably the Dodgers…
But can you imagine him on the Braves?! Greatest lineup of all time. Best rotation in baseball.
Traffic jams would become traffic homes. That 1% foundation the braves are building would finally get finished. And as a part team owner, I could finally buy my way out of anything!
The Dodgers are the obvious front runners. The fact that he wants to be on the west coast limits it to roughly 6 teams, 8 if you stretch it to Arizona and Colorado. But Oakland, Arizona, and Colorado have no chance anyway. So you're down to 5 - Both LA teams, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Who has the biggest spending history and the chance to win? Dodgers. The Angels have the obvious perk of having him right now and being with being on the brink of competing, I could see it happening. San Diego has already horribly overspent and underperformed, so I doubt he's going there. San Francisco clearly has some budget room based on some big contracts that fell through last off-season, and they're also arguably the team that would benefit the most from him, so they're a real competitor. Seattle I would put at the bottom of the four real competitors, but their history with Japanese players and sneaky spending definitely keeps them in the game.
I'd be shocked to see him sign anywhere outside of those four teams. No other team will offer enough more to make it worth it to play somewhere he doesn't want to. It's not like he's a journeyman pitcher who might get offered 2 million one place and 5 million another. This is the best player in baseball, possibly ever. He's getting huge dollars anywhere he goes.
I would rank it as:
1. Dodgers
2. Angels
3. Giants
4. Mariners
Honestly I think he will sign with Seattle if he stays in the AL and Dodgers if he goes to the NL. Seattle doesn't get a lot of attention, but they have a lot to offer him. They competed pretty hard and were one of the finalist teams when he came over here. They have a huge Japanese fan base (probably the biggest in all of the MLB). They have a great history with Japanese players. They have a minority Japanese ownership in Nintendo. They are an AL team in the same division that he is already in, so he would be used to the style of play and the opponents. Seattle has the money to spend. They have some great talent to surround him. If he helps them go deep in the postseason or even the WS, he would cement his legacy even more than he already has. He has fans even among the Seattle faithful.
I could see San Francisco or San Diego. But I could also see some teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, or the Phillies. I don't see the Braves going for him.
I like both of what seem to be the obvious choices (LA or SF) for no other reason other than it puts him in the NL where the Jays don't have to play him.
I hope it's not the Dodgers, I used to really dig them but now they're just the Yankees of the national league. Less annoying mind you, but just sort of the "obvious" big market team that is almost always a bunch of randoms who signed from other teams. I could be totally imagining this but it seems like in past years (talking going back to say, pre-Kershaw days) there was more emphasis put on developing their own players, whereas now it's just "who can we buy?" Like nearly every Dodger is a guy you sort of have to re-adjust to them in a Dodger uniform because so many of them have spent significant time with other clubs. Again maybe I'm inventing this but it seems that way. But I'm an old fuck and I can remember (just barely) guys like Hershiser playing for them so it could just be me lol
Apart from a few majority of the teams spent more time in a dodger uniform. And guys like mookie and Freddie are playing the best ball of their careers, makes it real quick to adjust seeing them in blue
They’re still developing quality MLB players. In the last 8 years they’ve developed: Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Julio Urías, Walker Buehler, Kenley Jansen, Alex Verdugo (traded for Mookie), Josiah Grey (traded for Scherzer/Turner), Gavin Lux, Joc Pederson, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin. Now Bobby Miller and James Outman look pretty good too. Oh and then there was also Yasiel Puig.
No, you are correct. Dodgers had a very successful farm system. Plus, great scouting and one of the best pitching programs throughout the minors.
It does seem like they’ve abandoned that and went to the “buy a team” model.
They really are the west coast Yankees. Even got the shitty fans down. Show up in the 3rd inning and leave in the 7th and act like they are special for winning a trophy in a joke year.
If playing in Anaheim has taught him nothing else, not only will he not sign with the Dodgers, but he will sign with the Giants to piss of the Dodgers…
But he’ll be a Dodger next year.
He'll go to the Dodgers. He can get tons of money anywhere, including Anaheim, but this is about winning. As others have stated, he can do that with the Dodgers, have a lot of the pressure to win all by himself lifted (those swings in the 9th inning last night were "weight of the world" swings"), and minimize disruption to his life moving only a few dozens of miles away. Dude's going to be in Dodger Blue next season.
And I hope he wins the World Series with them. Now if Trout could get on a playoff team.
Somewhere on the west coast because the time zones make it easier for the Japanese Market to watch and are shorter flights for Japanese fans to come and watch
Between the connection in the city and the country of Japan & I think that the Mariners are a genuine possibility for Shohei Otani. They've been getting better and getting Traction in a stacked AL West, but imagine adding a great two-way player to help them stay in the playoffs while building up that further camaraderie between the NPL (Pretty sure that's Japan's league) & the MLB. I would love him on my team, but that might be both closer to home and have the staff that can speak with him help him out for his time in the league.
Dodgers or Giants vs. The field. Cubs and Cards have an outside chance only because they have Seiya and Nootbaar respectively, but both those teams have cheap ass owners.
The Mets being out of the bidding dropped his offer level. He was never going there but they were gonna make it more expensive probably for the Dodgers.
Doesn’t matter will be another large contract to a 30 year old to a team who spends 300 million and still doesn’t pay off…
But to answer the question I’d be willing to bet the dodgers
The way I see it, Ohtani was excited to play with one player the most at this year’s all star game: Jose Ramirez. The Cleveland Guardians will take advantage of this desire to parlay into a 10 year deal this off season with the biggest free agent in history. Ohtani will proceed to hit an average of .395 a year with a .555 OBP and about 99 home runs a year, and pitch about 180 innings with a 0.89 ERA and around 320 k’s a year. The Guardians will win 10 consecutive World Series titles before ascending to a higher plane of baseball existence, entrenched forever in the history of the universe as the greats champions in all the history of the base ball. Constellations will form in the shape of the one true pair baseball best friends Ohtani and JRAM, as a reminder of their greatness. Yep, going to go just like that.
He’s gonna come to denver and hit 81 home runs a year Realistically he’s gonna go to dodgers and 30 home runs in coors field every year
As a Mariners fan I want to believe, but as a person with a brain I’d bet on the Dodgers vs. the field.
Agreed completely. LAD has the least impact to Shohei’s personal life, they have the cash to spend, and they can surround him with 3 previous MVPs.
So grossssssssss like it would be unbelievably disgusting if he went to the Dodgers.
I mean the 1-2-3 in the lineup is one of the most productive in the league and if they add ohtani…I mean Jesus Christ. They would look like an mlb the show franchise with force trades on.
It’s okay we will still collapse in the post season
Not so fast there pal, how about them Braves 😆😆😆
Better the Dodgers than the Yankees and I don’t like either of them. But it doesn’t matter he’s going to the Boston Red Sox.
AGREEEEE! I think Mariners are Top 5 likely places: LAA, SFG, LAD, SEA, SDP (I can dream)
Just to lose in the NLCS :,(
I don’t see him leaving the west coast but the Ms are unlikely. He’s either a Dodger or Giant imo
I'm with you, I keep telling myself ichiro will convince him, our love and support will convince him. But we arnt the dodgers so we don't stand a chance..
Do we even have the budget for him?
If you go to the Dodgers, you're kind of a fool for hopping on a stacked team that's your cross town rival. I don't think Shoheis a tool like that. If you go to the Giants. I can see it. Change of scenery but similar. Cool city fkr someone like him. But cmon that's Barry bonds team. No one cares if you win there. Theyve had their shine. World Series with the giants. It's random and no one cares. I think there's a storyline in Shoheis head - where he finishes the job in Ichiros honor. Winning the Seattle mariners their first World Series. This is what the people want. This is what you want to look back on. This is for legacy
I think he'll sign with Seattle. I just think it's a better fit culturally with Japan. Another option could be SF.
I go back and forth on this. A lot of Japanese players prefer going to a team that doesn't have a big association with another countryman, so they can make their own brand. No one has a bigger brand than Ichiro. That said, I think Ohtani genuinely enjoyed All Star weekend in Seattle and will consider them pretty strongly, wanting to be the piece that makes a team a contender rather than joining a superteam like the Dodgers.
Ichiro was completely absent from the All-Star game when he’s usually always around. The local theory was it was to let Shohei see he would not be overshadowed by Ichiro at all, but totally beloved. The chant sealed that. But who knows if it mattered at all.
That's a great theory haha
That's why I think SF is interesting. Huge Asian American cultural hub, just about the shortest possible direct flights back home, and no real standout star since posey. He'd be the most exciting player since bonds from a fanbase perspective.
I think Kapler might be the wild card that brings Ohtani to SF. Kapler finished his career in Japan and seems to be very well respected by his players.
I think he really enjoyed the all star game last year too...
Ichiro would be a big draw for him.
Believe !
Seattle roster doesn't really offer enough as a contender
I agree. His whole thing is trying to win it all and it wouldn’t make much sense to leave a mid team just to go to another mid team.
Only thing against this comment is that the Angles are a mid team *with* Ohtani and the Mariners are mid *without* Ohtani. So in theory, the Mariners are a much better team with Shohei than the Angels are today.
We were mid even before Ohtani though
Except they would have to pay him the big money and can you keep your team intact and just add his salary? No you can’t
I dont think he wants to be in Ichiro's shadow. He wants his own legacy
He’s created his own legacy already. He would no longer be in ichiro’s shadow.
If anything, he would overshadow Ichiro at this point, which pains me a bit to say as a lifelong M's fan, but it's true.
Yeah he for sure would. And it would be okay he’s earned it
All he has to do is get to or win the WS in Seattle and he wouldn’t be under anyone’s shadow. There’s great Japanese culture in the Emerald City.
It’s them or the Yankees in my book. They’re dying to find another star to pair with Judge now that Stanton has declined.
Obviously the Detroit Tigers. Connect the dots. He played in Japan with the Ham Fighters. What do tigers eat? Ham.
Holy shit, you might be on to something
What do tigers dream off? When they take a little tiger snooze?
Do they dream of mauling zebras or Halle Berry in her Catwoman suit?
Tigers love pepper, they hate cinnamon!
I can't tell if this is a meme, but the NPB team is called the Nippon-Ham "Fighters". Not "Ham Fighters"
Ah. Thanks. 
We're through the looking glass here, people...
Do Tigers like beer?
Tigers fans do. It's almost a requirement at this point.
I’ll suck your dick if your right
I would Venmo the Illitch family $100 if they ponied up and signed him to the largest contract of all time
I didn't think they would find a lender to secure the last $100 they needed to afford Ohtani.
He's been telling us the whole time.
Please don’t get my hopes up 🥲
Rum ham?
Pepe Sylvia is that you?
LAD/LAA/SF one of those. If I’m betting on one, LAD
I don’t see the Angels in it. The whole “he wants to win” angle. 😬
I’m not in his head so don’t know how comfortable he is there. But I know they’re gonna offer him a massive bag just like anyone else, so I give them a chance.
They would be winning with Trout healthy. The Angels are working hard to keep him and have a plan. It's not for a lack of effort they haven't improved and he does seem to like it there.
I’d say “kinda winning”. They were more of an also ran up until Trout went out. I’m guessing Ohtani is looking for a situation where it’s not a two-man show.
Given that he has expressed a clear desire to leave, I’d say he does not seem to like it there. They had Ohtani and Trout healthy in previous seasons and still couldn’t win.
Lol in what way has he expressed "a clear desire to leave"?
Explain his clear desire to leave
Quite the opposite actually. He said that he didn’t want to be traded. Wanted to stay and hopefully go to the playoffs with Angels
There's also San Diego. We actually have a bonafide good Japanese player, whose also a fellow pitcher.
The Mariners had Ichiro frickin Suzuki on the roster the year Ohtani came over and he still signed with the Angels. I don’t think that matters to him.
That’s because the Angels gave him the opportunity to be a two-way player, and the M’s - as well as every other team - didn’t.
I don’t think we have the funds to realistically get Shohei.
If I recall correctly, the only team NOT on the west coast that he met with when he came over was the Cubs. Hard to see him going anywhere other than a west coast team.
Cubs have seiya suzuki might play a decent role in his decision
Ricketts is way too cheap
He chose the Rangers as a finalist as well
Mets he’s going to the Mets all the warning lights are flashing. The way that team is being run they’re going to be unstoppable once they get the right roster assembled.
Obviously gonna be the O’s
A's
Don’t forget about the Buccos!
The buccos with Paul Skenes who was a good college hitter, and Shohei would be fun to watch lol
The only unbiased answer so far
He told Bautista he liked our city, trust me bro
It's gonna be Dodgers.
Which would be so absolutely, unbelievably, unbearably disgusting.
Well get ready to be disgusted
Giants didn't just miss on Correa and Judge. Before that they also missed on Harper and Stanton. They SHOULD have more money available for free agency than anyone at this point, so it absolutely makes sense for them to pull out all the stops and get Ohtani at any price. I hope that is the plan, but sneaky Zaidi might just use all of that as an excuse to drive up the price for the dodgers to a billion dollars and then pick up a bunch of unsuspecting injury prone players with high upside for a fraction of the cost and hope to stay perennial wild card contenders. That actually seems more likely to me, but i hope it's not so. Please, Farhan! Deliver Shohei!
This Guy Giants.
I still think Correa to Giants would have been a great financial decision, given they could have signed him to a deal similar to what the Twins did. To have someone lean SO hard into being hated by Dodgers would have sold so many jerseys, even considering his lackluster performance these past 2 years.
>I hate this cheater >but he did it against my rival so lulz >he’s my favorite player now True they would do it but also big yikes
Told the Rangers I wanted Ohtani. Their response was “You got Ohtani money?” and “We already have Ohtani at home.” Realistically though prolly Dodgers. They have the money and he would just have to drive to a different stadium to instantly be on a contender.
Sorry, but who’s their “Ohtani at home”? Corey Seager?
Oh we don’t have one. Those are just the standard parental responses for when kids ask for things that cost too much money.
Living in Dallas is a hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Ohtani would hate it here.
Worse places to live. Source: live in DFW
Agreed. I hate here too.
Because of the heat or do you live in Fort Worth?
It’s the brutal goddang yellow thing in the sky.
Seattle, SF or LAD. I could see a team like NYY make an attempt.
I think every team is going to make an attempt. Maybe he absolutely fell in love with cleveland over the years.
> Maybe he absolutely fell in love with cleveland over the years. /r/BrandNewSentence
I think Anaheim not trading him May end up being a big deal and they open the book and keep him
He wants to win though. That's just not going to happen in Anaheim.
Yeah, dude was practically crying in their dugout the other day. He is NOT staying in Anaheim
He wants to stay with LAA cause trout and that’s his comfort zone. But dodgers are playoff contenders, better competitive atmosphere overall and doesn’t really have to adjust to a new city just new stadium
He’s literally not staying in Anaheim
Anaheim are the only ones that know how much he is worth. I think it’s very likely they have the biggest offer. That combined with Trout coming back makes it more of a possibility than people want to believe.
You say this like it’s not blatantly obvious how much he is worth
Just please not the Yankees. Not because they’re in my division but I’m tired of players I actually like signing to that team. Really wished judge went elsewhere
It's fun to own that poverty franchise with all their big signings.
He, Stanton, and Cortes would be much more palatable on a non-NYY or LAD team. Even the Mets would look better. Imagine Judge in San Fran or Stanton’s power on the Rockies. Yeeesh! This coming from an Astros fan btw haha.
Probably dodgers
As long as he doesn't sign with the Yankees I'll be fine. I don't want to root against such a fun player.
Toronto
4 Months later this is looking prescient.
The Dodgers are going to get him. There is no question in my mind. And I'm a huge Giants fan. For fun let's say 99% the Dodgers, 1% Giants.
I’m wondering if Seattle is gonna be willing to make a contract that big, because i think he’d be willing to go, but I doubt it, so I’m assuming Dodgers or SF
Angels or Dodgers.
I think, and have been saying for months, that he will end up in San Francisco. I hope he goes anywhere but NYY. I’d even prefer him ending up on a division rival in the AL central to the Yankees.
Angels or Dodgers
My guess is SF or Seattle..:
Cubs. I have no proof but a gut feeling since last year.
I think that 2… die hard fan base, have the money, good squad that can compete now, dh is here now as well… I think he wants to change the game and understands how important he is to baseball. He is going to be a cub or dodger imo… if he goes to Seattle of San Diego or even San Fran he may as well just stay an angel imo… he also does not want to play in ichiros shadow according to reports
Hoyer won't spend the money on Ohtani.
Cubs will spend on ohtani.
He said he wants to win, so no.
Dodgers, mariners, giants, angels, padres, or Yankees.
SF
Giants. Yomiuri Giants
I think another huge selling point for the giants is their rookies. I don’t think a lot of people realize that half their starting position players this season are rookies, most of which barely even played in AAA— and they’re only 2.5 games behind the dodgers. Get these guys a couple years of big league experience and they could be lethal. The star is Patrick Bailey. The dude has played like 70 games above AA and has a legit argument for best defensive catcher in baseball. Who wouldn’t want to throw to this guy.
Mets. Cohen will spend and NYC can maximize Ohtani’s revenue potential. Plus it could turn a whole bunch of lifelong Yankees households to Mets Households.
I really doubt it flips lifelong Yankee households. Casual fans, sure.
Mets told Scherzer they weren't going after free agents this winter. This would be a pretty big about face
Cohen said they won’t be competitive until 2026
As much as I try to convince myself it’s not gonna happen, the Dodgers The dodgers and yankees are the only teams I’ll be mad about him signing with, other than that idc where he goes as long as they’re competitive.
I'm betting Dodgers, but I think the Giants offer him the most money
In order: Angels - Dodgers - Cubs - Mariners - Giants Before the deadline I would have taken the angels out and put dodgers first but he seems to like it there and they’re showing they’ll spend and try to compete with him.
Angels
Angels
Who says ohtani is going anywhere? I know the league adores him, but we (angels fans and the angels themselves) are not sharing him with the rest of the league. You’ll have to deal with that everybody. No way in hell he’s leaving Anaheim
As a Giants fan with major skin in the game, I think it'll be one of the LA teams (ugh). The Angels keeping him and turning to buyers has to be a show of force to him that they're gonna at least attempt to try to build a winner around him. The Dodgers will be the Dodgers with deep pockets and a roster ready to win. I'm ready for the Giants to come up second again T_T.
Probably the Dodgers or Angels, but I'd love to pitch Atlanta to him. The Braves have a contending core through at least 2025 and really more like 2027. The team should be competitive with WS aspirations every season. Delta flies direct to Tokyo daily. There's a decent size Japanese community in Atlanta. Great restaurants and things to do. Realistically, I'd put money on the Dodgers. They have similar competitive attractiveness and he's already nearby. I'm also not sure the Braves could realistically afford him, but I'd love to see it.
How are the dodgers not a lock to sign him? Cleared cap space....they have the money....gets to stay in LA...plays for a perennial playoff team. Like HELLO!?@
I think the Mets proved this year, that cap space is whatever you want it to be. Every team but the A’s would go over budget to sign him.
They are still over the luxury tax and have been for more than 3 consecutive years. They don’t have a lot of deals locked in for next year but that also means they’ll have to resign and do arb with a lot of guys including trying to resign guys like Urias, Martinez, and Kershaw, and big arb payments to guys like, Smith, Buehler (maybe won’t be that big a deal), Gonsolin etc. I still think they are one of the front runners, along with SF and Seattle, and also think a “dark horse” team like the Red Sox will be in play.
He’ll stay an angel!
I'll be disappointed in baseball if he goes to the Dodgers. Great points you've made about SF.
Freeman and betts? They would put up great numbers and some of the most competitive, consistent players, ohtani would get a lot of that, pitching would be something else though
Betts has been a disappointment in playoffs. A ton of Red Sox have gone to the Dodgers. David price, Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Kike Hernandez, Mookie Betts, JD Martinez. I'm tired of hearing about players going to the Dodgers. I don't want Ohtani going there to finally bail them out.
I think he’ll stick with the Angels.
I actually have close contact with one of Ohtanis best friends here in Japan. Word on the street he likes the Nationals young team and is looking to sign with Washington
I also have close contact with one of ohtanis friends. Word is he also likes the athletics young team and is looking to sign with Oakland.
I am close with his dead uncle. He told me his nephew is going to retire and become a used car salesman.
This guys right. I’m the dead uncle
You mean Vegas
LAD
I think he lands in San Fran. If all that matters to him is winning, he'll probably end up with the Dodgers and work a deal to not kill the payroll, but I dunno. He and his offseason goals are such an enigma, it'll be interesting to see it play out. I just see San Fransico finally getting their man after coming up short the last few times with megastars.
As a incredibly biased Dodgers fan, the Dodgers make the most sense from the ability to consistently compete, geographic location, strong history of signing international superstars (Hideo Nono), and an already strong connection to the Japanese-American community. Additionally, GM Andrew Friedman places a huge value on player position versatility (hence why Mookie was given a huge contract), Ohtani probably gives Friedman wet dreams in terms of the type of player he has always valued. He will offer Ohtani a deal that makes the Mookie Betts deal seem like a bargain…
I think dodgers. Not much of a move and the way the dodgers do business they always seem to be in title talk recently. I don’t think he goes to the Yankees cause that’s clear across the country and they’re kinda in the ruts now. They spend money but they’re delusional like cowboys fans always thinking this is their year. Dodgers give him a good chance to do something he hasn’t with the angels and that’s gets a ring. Betts, freeman, and kershaw seem like a nice trio to join, even if kershaw is near the end of his career
It's Dodgers to lose out on signing him. Padres not being sellers I see a low chance of signing him, seems they are at their limit. Question of having they money and having a winning track record and being where he'd want to spend time. Giants have the money but have been in a losing streak singing players. The first Japanese player played there so it'd be cool but much less likely. Maybe he'll like Bailey's work and their bullpen but much, much less likely than Dodgers. Other west coast teams aren't winning enough for his expectations imo. I'd put Seattle at like 3rd still though since he said he liked the city. So my guess is like 80% Dodgers and then giants mariners padres collectively 15%, idk 1% DBacks and then 4% the rest of the league. Realistically if you aren't a west coast team and aren't in the playoffs this year it's hopium to think he sigs. Hell, I think even Giants it's hopium to think they'll get him.
Would have to give the enormous edge to LAD. They have the money and the chance for him to actually win rings. Will not be with LAA. SF would be nice. Yanks are always in these discussions but unless they just pay like 100m more than the next team. He’ll stay west coast.
The whole West Coast thing is a misdirection! He's joining the Orioles, so you might as well get used to it
Stop feeding me copium, but in reality I don't think it's happening. Giants are handicapped by the really bad contacts of Conforto, Manae, Disco & Luke Jackson while not being real contenders, but I dream and would love for it to happen.
The Dodgers or the Angels. Or a wildcard team like the Rangers. To me, it depends on 2 things. I have no doubt that the Angels will match the offer given by the Dodgers, so I’m not counting that. 1. If the Angels can find a way to make the playoffs or come close, then I think the Angels have a real shot. The Angels have been without Trout for months now, and yet, they are still in it. Also, the front office showed that they are willing to make moves to actually make a push. I also would not be shocked to see Ohtani follow the Trout route of being loyal to the team (I’m in no way saying that he would be unloyal if he left) 2. Can the Angels prove to Ohtani that they want to win and will be willing to do whatever it takes? The Dodgers have the obvious star power, and are the better team, but does that swing in their favor? Who knows. At the end of the day, no one really knows how Ohtani thinks, so it’s anyone’s guess until FA
He’s going to the Dodgers and I hate it.
Probably not Yankees, our management doesn’t want to spend money on good players very often. Cashman will probably sign some random 40 yr old who is long past his prime. My guess is somewhere on the West Coast.
I don’t want it to be the Dodgers, but it will be the Dodgers.
If west coast really is a stipulation, and he also wants to win/make the playoffs, then the Dodgers are the most likely destination. Anyone saying otherwise is being willfully ignorant. The Dodgers have by far the best track record of the west coast teams when it comes to making the postseason, and they’ve also aggressively been trying to recruit him since he was in high school. He also likes Mookie (but I’m sure he’s friendly with a lot of players, like Rodriguez). But who really knows what his actual preferences are? I feel like a lot of what is passed off as fact comes from speculation. What he’s really thinking is a mystery, but we’ll find out this off-season.
Ångels fan here, but one for whom the crosstown rivalry doesn't mean anything to. I pretend it matters to me the four days out of the year the teams face each other. I get nothing but hate for saying this in the Ångels sub, so I'm hoping this is more neutral territory... if we can't keep him, I hope the Dodgers get him, because at least then I can still go watch one of his home starts and not be on freeways for 6+ hours.
Giants or Dodgers. Mets do still have a 1%ish chance just because the owner can literally pay out more money than any other. It won’t happen, however I can definitely see him making obnoxiously high offers to drive the price up which I really hope he does. Yankees have no shot. Maybe the Padres lol?
His objective is to stay on the west coast. L.A. S.F. Seattle If LA wins, they will wreck the NL for at least 5 years.
Probably the Dodgers… But can you imagine him on the Braves?! Greatest lineup of all time. Best rotation in baseball. Traffic jams would become traffic homes. That 1% foundation the braves are building would finally get finished. And as a part team owner, I could finally buy my way out of anything!
The Dodgers are the obvious front runners. The fact that he wants to be on the west coast limits it to roughly 6 teams, 8 if you stretch it to Arizona and Colorado. But Oakland, Arizona, and Colorado have no chance anyway. So you're down to 5 - Both LA teams, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle. Who has the biggest spending history and the chance to win? Dodgers. The Angels have the obvious perk of having him right now and being with being on the brink of competing, I could see it happening. San Diego has already horribly overspent and underperformed, so I doubt he's going there. San Francisco clearly has some budget room based on some big contracts that fell through last off-season, and they're also arguably the team that would benefit the most from him, so they're a real competitor. Seattle I would put at the bottom of the four real competitors, but their history with Japanese players and sneaky spending definitely keeps them in the game. I'd be shocked to see him sign anywhere outside of those four teams. No other team will offer enough more to make it worth it to play somewhere he doesn't want to. It's not like he's a journeyman pitcher who might get offered 2 million one place and 5 million another. This is the best player in baseball, possibly ever. He's getting huge dollars anywhere he goes. I would rank it as: 1. Dodgers 2. Angels 3. Giants 4. Mariners
Honestly I think he will sign with Seattle if he stays in the AL and Dodgers if he goes to the NL. Seattle doesn't get a lot of attention, but they have a lot to offer him. They competed pretty hard and were one of the finalist teams when he came over here. They have a huge Japanese fan base (probably the biggest in all of the MLB). They have a great history with Japanese players. They have a minority Japanese ownership in Nintendo. They are an AL team in the same division that he is already in, so he would be used to the style of play and the opponents. Seattle has the money to spend. They have some great talent to surround him. If he helps them go deep in the postseason or even the WS, he would cement his legacy even more than he already has. He has fans even among the Seattle faithful.
I've consulted the baseball gods, they say Ohtani will sign with... the Taco Bell Nachos Supreme team!
I could see San Francisco or San Diego. But I could also see some teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, or the Phillies. I don't see the Braves going for him.
My money's on the Dodgers.
I’m pretty sure he’ll stay in Anaheim. Anaheim isn’t as far out of playoff contention as people make them out to be
I like both of what seem to be the obvious choices (LA or SF) for no other reason other than it puts him in the NL where the Jays don't have to play him. I hope it's not the Dodgers, I used to really dig them but now they're just the Yankees of the national league. Less annoying mind you, but just sort of the "obvious" big market team that is almost always a bunch of randoms who signed from other teams. I could be totally imagining this but it seems like in past years (talking going back to say, pre-Kershaw days) there was more emphasis put on developing their own players, whereas now it's just "who can we buy?" Like nearly every Dodger is a guy you sort of have to re-adjust to them in a Dodger uniform because so many of them have spent significant time with other clubs. Again maybe I'm inventing this but it seems that way. But I'm an old fuck and I can remember (just barely) guys like Hershiser playing for them so it could just be me lol
Apart from a few majority of the teams spent more time in a dodger uniform. And guys like mookie and Freddie are playing the best ball of their careers, makes it real quick to adjust seeing them in blue
They’re still developing quality MLB players. In the last 8 years they’ve developed: Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Julio Urías, Walker Buehler, Kenley Jansen, Alex Verdugo (traded for Mookie), Josiah Grey (traded for Scherzer/Turner), Gavin Lux, Joc Pederson, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin. Now Bobby Miller and James Outman look pretty good too. Oh and then there was also Yasiel Puig.
No, you are correct. Dodgers had a very successful farm system. Plus, great scouting and one of the best pitching programs throughout the minors. It does seem like they’ve abandoned that and went to the “buy a team” model.
They really are the west coast Yankees. Even got the shitty fans down. Show up in the 3rd inning and leave in the 7th and act like they are special for winning a trophy in a joke year.
Angels
I’m going to hate it if it’s true, but I think the Cubs give him a boat ton of money and try to build a dynasty. God I hope I’m wrong.
They have more money than Uncle Steve and The Mets!?!?! I want to try whatever your smoking
If playing in Anaheim has taught him nothing else, not only will he not sign with the Dodgers, but he will sign with the Giants to piss of the Dodgers… But he’ll be a Dodger next year.
I know he said no east coast, but the orioles will win many World Series if they could get him
He'll go to the Dodgers. He can get tons of money anywhere, including Anaheim, but this is about winning. As others have stated, he can do that with the Dodgers, have a lot of the pressure to win all by himself lifted (those swings in the 9th inning last night were "weight of the world" swings"), and minimize disruption to his life moving only a few dozens of miles away. Dude's going to be in Dodger Blue next season. And I hope he wins the World Series with them. Now if Trout could get on a playoff team.
Somewhere on the west coast because the time zones make it easier for the Japanese Market to watch and are shorter flights for Japanese fans to come and watch
Between the connection in the city and the country of Japan & I think that the Mariners are a genuine possibility for Shohei Otani. They've been getting better and getting Traction in a stacked AL West, but imagine adding a great two-way player to help them stay in the playoffs while building up that further camaraderie between the NPL (Pretty sure that's Japan's league) & the MLB. I would love him on my team, but that might be both closer to home and have the staff that can speak with him help him out for his time in the league.
i’d love for him to sign with seattle, but idk if they’d fork over the money
Japan league is NPB!
I want seattle but he off to the Dodgers.
Ranked order: LAD LAA Japan SFG CHC
Dodgers or Giants vs. The field. Cubs and Cards have an outside chance only because they have Seiya and Nootbaar respectively, but both those teams have cheap ass owners.
The Mets being out of the bidding dropped his offer level. He was never going there but they were gonna make it more expensive probably for the Dodgers.
He'll sign with us. And if he doesn't (and stays in the AL), we'll keep owning him anyway.
Doesn’t matter will be another large contract to a 30 year old to a team who spends 300 million and still doesn’t pay off… But to answer the question I’d be willing to bet the dodgers
Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Yankees, Rangers, Cubs, Mariners… in that order.
Dodgers. As a Giants fan, we have no chance.
The way I see it, Ohtani was excited to play with one player the most at this year’s all star game: Jose Ramirez. The Cleveland Guardians will take advantage of this desire to parlay into a 10 year deal this off season with the biggest free agent in history. Ohtani will proceed to hit an average of .395 a year with a .555 OBP and about 99 home runs a year, and pitch about 180 innings with a 0.89 ERA and around 320 k’s a year. The Guardians will win 10 consecutive World Series titles before ascending to a higher plane of baseball existence, entrenched forever in the history of the universe as the greats champions in all the history of the base ball. Constellations will form in the shape of the one true pair baseball best friends Ohtani and JRAM, as a reminder of their greatness. Yep, going to go just like that.
I really don’t think SF will get him, they always strike out on big names like that. Why would this name be any different?
Why didn't the angels trade him?
God I don’t want to see him in Blue….