MLB 2023/2024 Free Agency Thread

[nate82]

6 minutes ago, dlk9s said:

Sources saying it's the Jays.

https://dodgersnation.com/shohei-ohtani-to-sign-with-toronto-blue-jays-over-los-angeles-dodgers-sources/2023/12/08/

That would be good for the Brewers at least for a Burnes trade.  That leaves the Braves, Rangers, Dodgers and Giants all looking for starters.

[patrickgpe]

Agreed, Dodgers need to do something. If he signed with Toronto because Roberts talked (which is a dumb reason to do so), he has got to be in some hot water. Would have bet my house he stayed in LA. 

[jerichoholicninja]

5 minutes ago, nate82 said:

That would be good for the Brewers at least for a Burnes trade.  That leaves the Braves, Rangers, Dodgers and Giants all looking for starters.

Yankees got Soto. Blue Jays (allegedly) get Ohtani. Orioles probably need to do something about their pitching now to keep up.

[Matt Breen]

24 minutes ago, dlk9s said:

Sources saying it's the Jays.

https://dodgersnation.com/shohei-ohtani-to-sign-with-toronto-blue-jays-over-los-angeles-dodgers-sources/2023/12/08/

I love it. Keep him in the AL, and make all those other teams desperate for our players - now and in the future.

[patrickgpe]

7 minutes ago, reillymcshane said:

I love it. Keep him in the AL, and make all those other teams desperate for our players - now and in the future.

There are now conflicting reports that he hasn't decided yet. I wish he would get this over with, so the offseason can begin. 

 

[wibadgers23]

7 minutes ago, patrickgpe said:

There are now conflicting reports that he hasn't decided yet. I wish he would get this over with, so the offseason can begin. 

 

Yeah him and Yamamoto are holding everything up.

[CheeseheadInQC]

13 minutes ago, patrickgpe said:

There are now conflicting reports that he hasn't decided yet. I wish he would get this over with, so the offseason can begin. 

 

On the other hand it is nice to have someone new to blame for holding up the offseason. It was getting dull blaming Boras every year.

[nate82]

If Ohtani signs with the Blue Jays or someone else that will make it two years in a row where the Giants have offered large contracts to the #1 FA.  Supposedly the Giants offer to Judge last year was more than what the Yankees offered I believe?  I could be wrong on this.  But if Ohtani also forgoes the Giants is this something that is telling about the Giants or just some white noise?

[wibadgers23]

This whole thing has a LeBron James “The Decision” vibe to it.

 

[DR28]

Sounds like Ohtani has landed in Toronto.

[Brewcrew82]

Ohtani is going to the Jays. He's not flying there to tell them he's not coming. 

[Brewcrew82]

Hope the Giants sign Bellinger now, and the Cubs are left worse off than last year. 

[wibadgers23]

Anybody venture a guess at the contract terms? I’d guess 10 years, $600 million which is absurd just thinking about it.

[Brewcrew82]

3 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

Anybody venture a guess at the contract terms? I’d guess 10 years, $600 million which is absurd just thinking about it.

I think it's going to be 12 years and over $600 million. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

10 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Ohtani is going to the Jays. He's not flying there to tell them he's not coming. 

That would be the most epic head fake, ever...gets off the plane and throws on a Dodgers hat - "Syke"!

[owbc]

I'm just glad it wasn't the Dodgers. And it makes sense that the team that got him has the highest TV viewership in MLB and no concerns about RSN problems. 

[Axman59]

35 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

Anybody venture a guess at the contract terms? I’d guess 10 years, $600 million which is absurd just thinking about it.

That's a lot of money for a DH.

[Brewcrew82]

7 minutes ago, Axman59 said:

That's a lot of money for a DH.

I mean he's also got the whole pitching thing (resuming in 2025) and averaging 9.5 WAR over the past three seasons....

[wiguy94]

Boob Nightengale says not so fast!

 

[Brewcrew82]

8 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Boob Nightengale says not so fast!

 

NVM I'll believe Bowden...What a circus. 

 

[TURBO]

9 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Boob Nightengale says not so fast!

 

What a clown show.  It's too bad every team doesn't just bow out and make him sweat until spring training...  I mean, obviously, that isn't going to happen, but these idiot teams stumbling all over themselves to see who will make the biggest mistake is just whacko.

Just get it done already so the rest of the market can start to play out.

Not even sure why anything hinges on this guy.  The amount of money only involves what, 3 teams realistically, why does he have anything to do with a guy like Hoskins signing, or the other free agent pitchers for that matter.  Different stratospheres.  If the Dodgers do or don't get him, why would that matter on a decision to trade for Burnes?  Burnes will require minor league capitol (and a small amount of cash in Dodger money to pay this year's salary), and I'm pretty sure the Dodgers are going to go for 2 stud pitchers anyway.  So if they do or don't get him, they will probably still come after Burnes.

[Brewcrew82]

1 minute ago, TURBO said:

What a clown show.  It's too bad every team doesn't just bow out and make him sweat until spring training...  I mean, obviously, that isn't going to happen, but these idiot teams stumbling all over themselves to see who will make the biggest mistake is just whacko.

Just get it done already so the rest of the market can start to play out.

Not even sure why anything hinges on this guy.  The amount of money only involves what, 3 teams realistically, why does he have anything to do with a guy like Hoskins signing, or the other free agent pitchers for that matter.  Different stratospheres.  If the Dodgers do or don't get him, why would that matter on a decision to trade for Burnes?  Burnes will require minor league capitol (and a small amount of cash in Dodger money to pay this year's salary), and I'm pretty sure the Dodgers are going to go for 2 stud pitchers anyway.  So if they do or don't get him, they will probably still come after Burnes.

It's not just Ohtani, it's Yamamoto, too, which would affect Burnes' market. 

[wiguy94]

1 minute ago, Brewcrew82 said:

It's not just Ohtani, it's Yamamoto, too, which would affect Burnes' market. 

Ohtani would also impact JD Martinez which could hold up the 1B/DH market. I imagine Martinez wants to return to LAD but if Ohtani goes to LAD then that makes no sense because Ohtani will be the full time DH.

[Brewcrew82]

If I were Ohtani, I'd go straight to Japanese media whenever the decision is made after how the American press has handled this. 

[Axman59]

1 hour ago, Brewcrew82 said:

I mean he's also got the whole pitching thing (resuming in 2025) and averaging 9.5 WAR over the past three seasons....

2x Tommy John. There's no guarantee he ever pitches effectively again. But if a team wants to risk $500 million on it they can go right ahead. This contract has disaster written all over it.