The slightly too early trade deadline thread

[Donn Beach]

On the mariners being a dark horse, there's that pesky geography again

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NBC Sports Boston
Angels star Shohei Ohtani reveals what's important to him as free agency looms
Nick Goss
Wed, Jul 12, 2023, 12:05 AM GMT+8·2 min read

16
Angels star Shohei Ohtani reveals what's important to him as free agency looms originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is the overwhelming favorite to be the American League MVP winner for the second time in the last three years, and he might finish the season on a new team.

The MLB trade deadline is scheduled for Aug. 1, and if the Angels don't think Ohtani will re-sign with them in free agency, they should move him and not risk the possibility that he leaves for nothing over the winter.

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What's most important to Ohtani as his contract winds down? What is he looking for? How much does winning factor into it all? He was asked that last question Monday during All-Star Game media availability in Seattle.

"Those feelings get stronger year by year," Ohtani said through his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. "It sucks to lose. He wants to win, so it gets stronger every year."


The Angels are on track to miss the playoffs in all six of Ohtani's seasons in Los Angeles. The last time the franchise reached the postseason was 2014. If winning is really Ohtani's preference, he's not going to enjoy a ton of success with the Angels.


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Unfortunately for the Boston Red Sox, they also aren't in a good position to offer Ohtani a chance to consistently win. Ohtani would be a massive addition to the Red Sox with his ability to both hit and pitch at an elite level. Boston is desperate for another ace in the rotation, and the idea of Ohtani and Devers in the middle of the lineup for many years is an exciting one.

But the Red Sox are on pace to finish last in the American League East for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Ownership also has let many talented players -- Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts, etc. -- leave the franchise via trade or free agency in recent years instead of paying them to stay.

However, the Red Sox do have a great history, they have a great manager in Alex Cora, the fanbase is among the best in the sport, and they do have a Japanese star in Masataka Yoshida who has played with Ohtani on Team Japan several times during international tournaments.

The Red Sox shouldn't be completely ruled out as a possible landing spot for Ohtani, but if he does prioritize winning over everything else, there are better options than Boston for him to pursue in free agency.

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NBC Sports Chicago
Ahead of historic free agency, a look at 6 potential landing spots for Shohei Ohtani
Peter Marzano
Fri, Jul 14, 2023, 4:51 AM GMT+8·5 min read

489
Ahead of historic free agency, a look at 6 potential landing spots for Shohei Ohtani originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

As Chicago baseball fans soak in an All-Star break with two teams performing well below expectations, it's natural to look ahead to the upcoming offseason for opportunities for the Cubs and White Sox to improve their clubs heading into 2024.

However, fans of all 30 baseball teams will have their eyes squared in on one player, whose impending free agency is poised to test the limits of what can reasonably offered to an athlete in a contract.


Shohei Ohtani, who turned 29 just over a week ago, is a unicorn not just in today's game, but in all of baseball history.

Redefining the limitations of what baseball players are capable of, Ohtani has emerged over the past several seasons as both one of the game's finest pitchers and perhaps its most feared slugger.

Following an MVP season in 2021 and an incredible follow-up season in 2022, Ohtani is continuing to push boundaries.

This season, Ohtani leads all of the majors with six triples and 32 home runs, with video game-like offensive metrics.

Ohtani leads all of baseball in slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+ and total bases at the All-Star break, with his 1.050 OPS and 182 OPS+ exceeding what a league MVP compiles in a given season.


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That's of course, not to mention his 3.32 ERA over 17 starts on the mound, leading all of baseball by allowing just six hits per nine innings.

Needless to say, Ohtani's free agency will be unlike any other in baseball history, with the monetary value widely expected to exceed any contract in the past.

Here's a look at six teams where Shohei Ohtani may end up next season:

Los Angeles Dodgers
Perhaps the most financially feasible outcome is Ohtani simply heading north on the Santa Ana Freeway and joining the interleague rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

A perennial contender and recent world champion, the Dodgers have built a reputation as an organization with a farm system continually churning out homegrown talent while also never shying away to spend big money in free agency.


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The Dodgers turned heads last season when they sat out on many of the market's biggest names after a 111-51 season came to a shocking end in the NLDS at the hands of the San Diego Padres, with speculation arising that the Dodgers were preparing to make a run at Ohtani in 2024.

Ohtani would find himself entrenched on a win-now team at Chavez-Ravine, and the Dodgers have proven to have the pocketbook to make the move happen.

New York Yankees
A serious contender for any major free agent by default, the Yankees remain the most valuable team in the sport and have not shown any indication that they will stop spending anytime soon.


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A hallmark of perennial success, the Yankees last finished under .500 in 1992, and haven't finished worse than 84-78 since the 1994 players' strike.

Still in search of their first title and pennant since 2009, the Yankees recently locked down franchise cornerstone Aaron Judge, and in all likelihood would love to give him a long-term counterpart.

Los Angeles Angels
Far from the most tantalizing option, Ohtani may simply stay put with the Angels, though demonstration from the team that they are closer to a contender is likely needed for that to happen.

At a 45-46 record at the All-Star break, the Angels are five games outside of a Wild Card spot, poised to miss the postseason for the ninth consecutive year.


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Despite being teammates with who is widely regarded to be the other half of the best two players on the planet, the Angels have struggled to build a contender over the years. A consistently mediocre pitching staff and free agent contracts that have not panned out have left the Angels in perpetual purgatory.

However, if the Angels make other moves on the free agent market or perhaps make the most extravagant offer, Ohtani may stay right where he is at.

Seattle Mariners
After recently getting swooned by fans during the All-Star Game, the Mariners have positioned themselves as a notable dark-horse to land the blockbuster of a century.


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Seattle generally presents itself as a unique free agent destination by default, thanks to none other than geography.

Typically dealing with the longest travel schedule in the league, Mariners players are tasked with making a difficult adjustment while also being presented an opportunity to seize a unique advantage at home.

The city is also home to one of the league's more popular ballparks and a large Japanese American population, and a franchise that is likely one major piece away from being a bona fide title contender.

[Donn Beach]

On Seattle being a dark horse, there's that pesky geography again

Seattle Mariners
After recently getting swooned by fans during the All-Star Game, the Mariners have positioned themselves as a notable dark-horse to land the blockbuster of a century.

Seattle generally presents itself as a unique free agent destination by default, thanks to none other than geography.

Typically dealing with the longest travel schedule in the league, Mariners players are tasked with making a difficult adjustment while also being presented an opportunity to seize a unique advantage at home.

The city is also home to one of the league's more popular ballparks and a large Japanese American population, and a franchise that is likely one major piece away from being a bona fide title contender.

[harmony]

Bryce Miller is listed as the Mariner starter on Sunday:

https://twitter.com/RyanDivish/status/1 ... 0670536707

... leaving Logan Gilbert absent from the probable pitcher forecast for the Mariners despite the righthander's stellar last two starts :

https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/probable-pitchers

Are the Mariners about to trade Gilbert?

[Big_Maple]

Bryce Miller is listed as the Mariner starter on Sunday:

https://twitter.com/RyanDivish/status/1 ... 0670536707

... leaving Logan Gilbert absent from the probable pitcher forecast for the Mariners despite the righthander's stellar last two starts :

https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/probable-pitchers

Are the Mariners about to trade Gilbert?

Interesting!!

The news I’ve been reading says the Cards are interested in Gilbert. At least that’s the latest I’ve read on that front.

He should be good for one or two young hitters in their club.

I gather that Goldschmidt and Arenado both have no trade clauses, so they are unlikely to be dealt. Also, some say the Cards just want a couple of stud pitchers and not a full rebuild, so that means they aren’t motivated to move Goldie:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/co ... r-AA1dl2Yx

[harmony]

Bryce Miller is listed as the Mariner starter on Sunday:

https://twitter.com/RyanDivish/status/1 ... 0670536707

... leaving Logan Gilbert absent from the probable pitcher forecast for the Mariners despite the righthander's stellar last two starts :

https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/probable-pitchers

Are the Mariners about to trade Gilbert?

Interesting!!

The news I’ve been reading says the Cards are interested in Gilbert. At least that’s the latest I’ve read on that front.

He should be good for one or two young hitters in their club.

I gather that Goldschmidt and Arenado both have no trade clauses, so they are unlikely to be dealt. Also, some say the Cards just want a couple of stud pitchers and not a full rebuild, so that means they aren’t motivated to move Goldie:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/co ... r-AA1dl2Yx

More on the rumored St. Louis interest in Logan Gilbert:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/ ... l#comments

[Big_Maple]

On paper, a Walker and Edman would equal exactly one Gilbert. THAT would be a good haul, but it’s unlikely the Cards would deal away that much talent.

[harmony]

St. Louis fans discuss the rumored Cardinal interest in Logan Gilbert:

https://interact.stltoday.com/forums/vi ... ?t=1484898

[Pharmabro]

I was looking at mlbtr and saw this

https://twitter.com/i/status/1672025023245344769

It says one of the targets they have is Logan Gilbert.

The article says we want Gilbert but we want our core:
Notably, the Cards are uninterested in trading core players like Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker. They are open, however, to trading pitchers like Jordan Montgomery, Jordan Hicks, Ryan Helsley and Génesis Cabrera, while Jack Flaherty is already generating interest from other clubs. As for what kind of player they are looking to bring in, Goold lists Logan Gilbert of the Mariners as someone they are interested in.

I guess they did not list Nolan Gorman

[Seattle or Bust]

I was looking at mlbtr and saw this

https://twitter.com/i/status/1672025023245344769

It says one of the targets they have is Logan Gilbert.

The article says we want Gilbert but we want our core:
Notably, the Cards are uninterested in trading core players like Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker. They are open, however, to trading pitchers like Jordan Montgomery, Jordan Hicks, Ryan Helsley and Génesis Cabrera, while Jack Flaherty is already generating interest from other clubs. As for what kind of player they are looking to bring in, Goold lists Logan Gilbert of the Mariners as someone they are interested in.

I guess they did not list Nolan Gorman

Did you read the comments below? Everyone knows the article is full of shit.

GM's will never tip their hand when it comes to what they'll give up for a player. You can't get Logan Gilbert with a combination of ANY of the players listed above.

A Gilbert trade starts with a headliner of Walker or Gorman and ends with 2x other, young controlled bats.

[Pharmabro]

Montgomery gives them a decent #3 to cover the innings. 134 ERA+ on the year and a 113 career

McGreevy is the Cards #5 prospect and an ok pitching prospect listed as a 50 a 1st rounder #18 from, 2021

Gorman is a lefty swinger with a 115 OPS+, 110 OPS+ career but is just 23 and a former top 100 and 1st rounder

Walker has a 113 OPS+ so far as a 21 year old rookie and was ranked as high as #4 in prospect lists. He is huge at 6'6" and played a lot more 3rd in the minors vs the outfield

Woo and Gilbert are huge assets.

2023 Castillo, Montgomery, Kirby, Miller, #5 ( Milone, Marco, McGaughan Maybe even McGreevy or Hancock

2024
Castillo, Kirby, Ray, Miller, (#1 Ohtani) #6 (Marco, McGreedy Hancock, Dollard.)

The Lineup
1. *JP SS
2. Julio CF
3. *JK RF
4. France 1B
5. Teo OF
6. *Ford DH
7. Geno 3B
8. *Gorman 2B
9. **Cal C

Bench Walker 3B/DH/OF, Cabbie middle Inf, Murphy C (you pick AJ, Dilly, Sam, TT, etc