Angels Pursuing Ohtani

[Inside Pitch]

3 minutes ago, totdprods said:

I actually started wondering about a pre-arranged deal this morning between the Padres and Ohtani. 

The fact that the organizations had so many previous ties and business allows some back-end methods for money to be exchanged...
There was an extensive media push talking about the Padres are a darkhorse candidate - almost too much of a media push, as if it was trying to get ahead of a 'conspiracy' (remember Heyman's article detailing an excessive number of reasons why the Padres made the most sense) and paint it as a fit, despite the lack of a DH, the lack of a contending team, etc. 

And A.J. Preller hasn't exactly proven to be a guy of high integrity.

LOL -- you beat me to it.  Preller has twice been suspended by MLB for being shady -- would be HILARIOUS if they win and then MLB refuses to allow them to sign him...

[Turd Ferguson]

This is all BS. Unless, he doesn't come to us, in which case they may be on to something there.

[totdprods]

Just now, Inside Pitch said:

LOL -- you beat me to it.  Prellar has twice been suspended by MLB for being shady -- would be HILARIOUS if they win and then MLB refuses to allow them to sign him...

There's been so much emphasis and clarifications on the Padres and Nippon having connections because of ST facilities and it "may or may not mean anything" and how their CEO came out and announced that the deal ended just recently but they didn't want to go public and have it appear as a tactic for Ohtani...

There is something a little fishy.

[Chuck]

2 minutes ago, totdprods said:

There's been so much emphasis and clarifications on the Padres and Nippon having connections because of ST facilities and it "may or may not mean anything" and how their CEO came out and announced that the deal ended just recently but they didn't want to go public and have it appear as a tactic for Ohtani...

There is something a little fishy.

[Troll Daddy]

[Stradling]

8 minutes ago, totdprods said:

I actually started wondering about a pre-arranged deal this morning between the Padres and Ohtani. 

The fact that the organizations had so many previous ties and business allows some back-end methods for money to be exchanged...
There was an extensive media push talking about the Padres as the surprising darkhorse candidate - almost too much of a media push, as if it was trying to get ahead of a 'conspiracy' (remember Heyman's article detailing an excessive number of reasons why the Padres made the most sense?) and paint it as a fit, despite the lack of a DH, the lack of a contending team, etc. 

And A.J. Preller hasn't exactly proven to be a guy of high integrity or someone above shenanigans.

Just ask Preller if he is willing to get banned for life for paying him in some back end method.  

[Angelsfan1984]

7 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

All of these would be fine if he signs with the Angels. If he signs with Seattle I hope Dipoto trades him for a PTBNL and cash considerations for Jason Werth.

[totdprods]

6 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Just ask Preller if he is willing to get banned for life for paying him in some back end method.  

There's a chance these deals may have been in motion before the Coppolela ban occurred. Preller may be sweating it a bit more, hence the media push to establish the Padres' legitimacy as a candidate, despite the cap in int'l money, lack of a winning team, lack of a DH, etc. etc.

[Chuck]

3 minutes ago, totdprods said:

There's a chance these deals may have been in motion before the Coppolela ban occurred. Preller may be sweating it a bit more, hence the media push to establish the Padres' legitimacy as a candidate, despite the cap in int'l money, lack of a winning team, lack of a DH, etc. etc.

I think you may be onto something here. 

I was just happy to hear yesterday that the Angels are doing everything they possibly can to land Ohtani. That's really all we can ask for in the end from this org. 

[Stradling]

24 minutes ago, Calzone said:

Some teams are complaining about the process.

Some MLB front offices involved in the sweepstakes to sign Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani are reportedly "suspicious" a decision was made before the recruitment process was completed.

On Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic used the term "eyewash," a baseball phrase for a lack of sincere effort, to describe how certain teams view the Ohtani free-agent derby.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported earlier Wednesday the dual-threat sensation, a starting pitcher and outfielder, finished meeting with the seven finalists. Those teams included the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres.

So, if this was how teams felt, why would the Angels and Mariners acquire more money?   I could see how teams that are on the east coast, that may have saved money for a chance to sign him would be bitter.  Also, if this was the case and he already decided where he was going, why choose 7 teams to meet with?  Why not just three?  If it is the Padres, why have the Rangers or Cubs on the list?  Why not just three Ca teams?  If I had to guess it is a cultural misunderstanding type of thing.  

[Troll Daddy]

Why are the Cubs still in the Ohtani sweepstakes?

[Ohtaniland]

The Angels need to get some assistance from a major Japanese company to seal the deal. 

 

[Jobu]

O'Hare is a United hub. 

[ksangel]

17 minutes ago, Jobu said:

O'Hare is a United hub. 

In a MLBTrade Rumors article it stated a pro for Cubs was they travel far less during a season than Texas, Angels or Mariners...

"the Cubs’ setting in the Midwest means they travel as many as 10,000 miles less per season than the Rangers and upwards of 23,000 fewer miles than the Angels and Mariners in a given season".

They have had winning teams recently and are losing two of their starting pitchers - Arrieta and Lackey - so there's opportunity to step in and start.  Not sure how they would use him in the field though - not at 1B with Rizzo there and they seem set in the OF too.

[kevinb]

So some of you are already setting yourself up that if the Angels don’t get him it’s a conspiracy? But if they do sign him it’s not a conspiracy. Fucking love fandoms. 

[totdprods]

2 minutes ago, Kevinb said:

So some of you are already setting yourself up that if the Angels don’t get him it’s a conspiracy? But if they do sign him it’s not a conspiracy. Fucking love fandoms. 

If the Padres signed him I'd be suspicious. Any other team, not really. Don't see much hint at something there. But there's a little too much smoke around San Diego for me not to be surprised if there's a fire....

Whoops, sorry. I'm in Texas. Hope everyone's safe!

[Stradling]

The only rumor I actually believe about him is that he wants to pitch and hit.  The rest is just dumb.  

[Angelsfan1984]

2 minutes ago, Stradling said:

The only rumor I actually believe about him is that he wants to pitch and hit.  The rest is just dumb.  

I believe the rumor that he prefers Tapatio to tabasco. Sources are rock solid.

[Stradling]

Just now, Angelsfan1984 said:

I believe the rumor that he prefers Tapatio to tabasco. Sources are rock solid.

That would explain why he would want to play in SD.

[Chuck]

4 minutes ago, Stradling said:

The only rumor I actually believe about him is that he wants to pitch and hit.  The rest is just dumb.  

All speculation really. But it makes for good talk. 

[Angelsfan1984]

1 minute ago, Stradling said:

That would explain why he would want to play in SD.

SD would defeat the purpose of him wanting 25 wins. I don't think he meant 25 wins for a career.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Just now, artesmustache said:

chatwood to the cubs

Weak, had some hope.

If we sign ohtani today, December 7, and he flops, I vote his AO nickname is japanese zero.

[krAbs]

Just now, artesmustache said:

cubs are out now

Oh thats true, hu? In my head the Cubs have never really been in it, so I hadn't really put that together.

[m0nkey]

Don't know if I'd connect a chatwood signing to them being out on ohtani

[Angelsfan1984]

No way Ohtani signs today. Clearly nobody remembers what the Japanese did on December 7th!