So now it comes out that the Angels are, in fact, “very interested” in Blake Snell whether or not Shohei Ohtani returns. They are not even on the radar screen in the Yamamoto sweepstakes. Yoshinobu Yamamoto won the MVP in Japan for the third year in a row which will probably only increase the frenzy of the various suitors. Jaime Barria now has a minor league deal with the Guardians.
Emilio Pagan goes to the Reds for two years. Joey Wendle got a major league deal with the Mets for around $2 Million while Luis Severino went to the Mets for perhaps $13 Million. The Kansas City Royals signed Garrett Hampson for one year at $2 Million. Nick Martinez has a two year deal with the Reds.
Penn Murfee and Jackson Stephens have split deals with the Braves, meaning they get paid differently while they are in the minor leagues than they do when they are in the majors.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
https://www.inquirer.com/sports/mike-trout-trade-market-rumors-phillies-offseason-20231129.html
OMG, now I’m very interested in Blake Snell, anyone else?
Even-with-craig-counsell-setting-a-new-bar-for-manager-salaries-could-more-mlb-coaches-leave-pro-ball-for-college
https://sports.yahoo.com/even-with-craig-counsell-setting-a-new-bar-for-manager-salaries-could-more-mlb-coaches-leave-pro-ball-for-college-011138446.html
I got to see Snell live in perfect seats behind home plate, just a little offset so I could see everything. His stuff is flat-out nasty. Not Darvish nasty, but absolutely nasty.
I read this somewhere – Most Angels game of year?
“On August 18, the Rays hit into a triple play and gave up a grand slam to the Angels…and still won the game.”
I can feel the pain.
Still rooting for Ohtani to the Giants or Braves.
anywhere but to an AL West opp plzzzzzz
I would really prefer him to not be on the team of Barroids Bonds.
No more Dia-Barria……..got that going for us, what a relief. Feeling much better now.
A five inning lefty on a staff full of lefties with poor control coming off a career year. We really need that compared to 25 year old Yamamoto. C’mon, Minasian, wake up and get on the radar.
Just because we want Yamamoto, does not mean he wants us
Make him a big enough offer to at least tempt him. Money is a powerful persuader.
As I mentioned previously, he would most likely go to the highest bidder, so that both he and his team Orix Buffaloes would benefit. It will cost at least $200 and 15 to 20 % additional as transaction/fee.
I predict a bidding war between MFYankees and Mets. I personally would like the Mets to get him. I have never seen MLB team with two NPB pitchers, #1 and #2 of the rotation.
I think he makes the most sense of any free agent for us to pursue. I hope it isn’t true that Perry isn’t even interested.
Other pitchers are older, have QO attached, and have a higher possibility of there performance dropping off in the next couple of years.
I think Id prefer Eduardo Rodriguez. Hes a little younger, averages more innings per start and wont cost us a draft pick.
OK, fair enough.
Now we go from linked to very interested…..
which is soon followed by came in a close second
I sure as hell wouldn’t want the Mariners to get him.
Even just the thought depresses me.
“….but….but everyone gets a trophy!”
(Gen X, Gen Y & Millennials)
Regarding Ohtani —
Heyman “reporting (guessing)” that the Dodgers are the frontrunner (duh).
Nothing has changed in my mind — Ohtani is comfortable in SoCal and will choose between staying with us or making the short drive to LA.
Objectively speaking, the Dodgers make the most sense for him, but who knows.
99% faith, 1% chance he stays in Anaheim imho
Dodgers are always the safe bet for the alleged sports prognosticators for FA signings. Of course, they said that too when Ohtani came to the states.
If the universal DH was in place when Shohei came to the MLB, he would have probably chose the Dodgers.
Other than comfort, why would Sho pick to re-sign with us? It doesn’t really make sense lol
Staying out of the spotlight, while playing in the greatest place on earth. Probably the same reason Trout is happy enough being here.
BTW, I want him to move on quickly so we can move on.
As a person that moved to Laguna Niguel from LA 5
years ago (I’ve
also visited MANY countries) I can tell you that it’s hard to top living in the South OC.
I just have a basic condo, but when you extrapolate that out with having F’ You money and a baller house, it only makes this area that much more attractive.
Yall make really great points, all of which lead back to my opinion that the only reason Shohei stays with us is out of comfort.
If he wants to win above all else, he’ll jetpack it out of Anaheim.
If one of his life goals is to win the championship with a small market team like the Angels, he will stay. The problem is that we do not know that is the case.
Yes, Doyers make the most sense, but he is a unicorn. He can do whatever he desires to do. Sorry, MarineLayer. Shohei will not be rushed.
You understand that right now, Ohtani is perhaps the most famous person in Japan. Followed around by a crowd reporting breathlessly every time he farts? I don’t buy he would prefer “avoiding the spotlight” vs the intensity of a playoff/World Series. And that isn’t happening here anytime soon.
Please see my reply to Pineapple above. Also it might help to read what I translated yesterday.
Also, that is the reason why he prefers to spend more time in the US, where his farts will not be listened to, smelled and analyzed or reported. He can fart all he wants.
I’m starting to wonder if you are actually Ohtani, and you have been coming on this site to mess with us all along… 😀
its the OC vibe why Shohei will resign in Anaheim
I still believe in Rex!!
I still believe in The George . Ohtani’s home away from home
Is this the view?
I agree he will resign from the Angels
Autocorrect…reside!!!
By signing a little lower contract AAV for 5-7 years with the Halos with a bail-out option after two makes a lot of sense. He would have another pitching season in 2025 and could gauge the market, if he blows his arm out (Again) he would stay with the halos. It actually makes a lot of sense. he already rehabbed once with Halo staff.
If they ask Shohei if he wants to be part of a team on the rise, don’t underestimate his possible buy-in.
Heyman’s burned everyone before. Just ask Arson Judge.
“Arson Judge” LOL, laughed & choked on my spaghetti on that one….
As far as Yoshinobu Yamamoto is concerned, the article conveniently stayed away from the fact that his record in NPB playoffs have not been that impressive as he lasted only 5 and 2/3 innings giving up 7 runs and 10 hits during the first game against Hanshin Tigers though he did throw no hitter in the second opportunity in this year’s NPB championship series with MFY’s GM Cashman attending the game.
I agree that he will be probably as good a pitcher as Masahiro Tanaka (that’s the reason why MFY will pay top dollars), but I will be curious how MFY would adjust their rotation to accommodate him (5 man vs 6 man). Furthermore, perhaps they will hire a private jet for him to travel with sleep therapist and masseuse.
As long as Shohei has not made his decision, I will continue to do my due stirring up the minds of CtPGers. I have read Fansince1971’s piece with great interest. Just for the fun of it, I will take the exact opposite view. For this purpose, I will assume Arte and Minasian will go crazy and will go over the luxury tax line.
Shohei after seeing all highly FAs making their moves, he will re-sign with the Angels for one year $50 million deal. This move also provides the Angels an opportunity of lifetime if Angels do not make significant win loss record by next year’s trade deadline. Just think of what the Angels can get for 2025 Shohei with his true Nitoryu (two way) potential.
Looking at what Texas did last year, who spent humongous amount of money for Seager and Semien in 2022 season (for which they were heavily criticized) and more money for deGrom and Scherzer this season. They were fortunate that they were 20 games over 0.500 in the first two months of the season.
The Angels despite fairly good start in April and May, they were decimated by Rendon’s inability to stay on field, Trout’s fractured hamate bone, and Urshela’s how-you-could-break-your-pelvis injury. You might say it is the Angels or curse or something like that, but despite those unfortunate incidents, the Angels were still competing for playoff spot as late as the end of July.
I think Shohei learned a lot from this season. He was exhausted. He will be smarter in pacing himself. He will take off days. He will not start in the second game of double header if he pitched the first game.
Another thing I was wondering is that he actually had very similar UCL repair to that of Brock Purdy, who has been quite sensational in my humble opinion. Everyone thinks that he will not pitch in 2024; I don’t remember Shohei saying he won’t pitch in 2024. I think there is good possibility that he might pitch or possibly play another position such as 1st base or outfield, which would be useful if Trout or Rendon needs time off and just DH.
So, my ‘crazy’ idea is to stand pat for Shohei to return to Anaheim.
I like your brand of crazy, man. Sonkei.
I am hoping he stays too, but I wonder if a 2-year deal makes more sense (even if the plan is to move him). 2 years means you get more potential pitching/2-way, whereas 1-year is a very expensive DH/Part-time OF, even for a 2-time MVP.
Hmmm, $50 Million or $500 Million Guaranteed?
(I know you’re being facetious but…)
seems obvious Shohei will return here – he just seems loyal and not interested in glitz and the distractions a new environment provide.
What would 1-year at $50M do for the Angels? Okii shimpa shita. If this team just rolls back the same heavyweights, only stretching out the the playoff drought. This team needs to prove the to the fans they tried and walk away. This feels like the Lakers front office. Just cannot make the hard, smart, long term decisions.
Nick Martinez was a potential underrated piece that I know some had in their GM articles if they were Perry. $13 million a year though. Ugh. The money being given out this year is quite high. Snell will be over the moon.
Snell is 31?…. I think I’d pass if the price too high.
Snell will regress and a multi-year contract greater than 4 years will be ugly.
Not to mention we will have to give up a draft pick.
Draft picks? Do they allow The Angels to have those?
Luis Severino signed up with the Mets, apartments hard to find in NYC so why move when you got one. 😄
Oh boy, Blake Snell-another 5 inning pitcher with control issues, should fit right in with us.
I think he tries too much to miss bats. If he ended up with DBacks – Strom would get him to 6 innings. How he keeps his ERA what it is with his 5 walks per 9 is crazy. Definitely a fighter.
I think it is fair to say that given what the narrative was with Shohei in Anaheim that we are probably not on the shortlist for future Japanese superstars at the moment. You wanna waste 6 years of your career? Sign in Anaheim! Unless you’re cool with just being used for marketing.
Gotta say, i’m not sad to finally be out of the Barria busiess. He showed his flashes, but feels like there was more pain than pleasure in that relationship.
Keep those tweet notifications on for your favorite baseball reporters. Winter Meetings are upon us.
Look at that, two mornings in a row i’ve made an appearance in the links since who knows when. Will we make it to three? 🧐
As for Shohei, he has had his fun holding up the Angels as a leverage tool for a big contract long enough now. Time to move on. I got called to the carpet the other day for being basically a Doomer for implying that Shohei would not return. Barria I will not miss, jumped off his band wagon finally last year.
BTW, see you tomorrow. 😀
It’s funny how a position on even one player can put you in one of these made up CtPG camps. I got a handle due to my early position on the worthlessness of Rendon, and I say truth is an absolute defense. Now my camp is filling up.
I also agree it’s time to let Shohei go due to where he and we are at. Let’s enjoy the great memories and start rebuilding.
We all hope so!