Ohtani's Looming Free Agency

[VladdyforHOF]

1 hour ago, Trendon said:

I’d be more upset about that than if he goes to the Dodgers.

Really. I feel like most Angels fans would be most upset about him going to the Dodgers out of any team. He wouldn't even need to change his residence. It would be a major slap in the face.

If he went to Seattle then at least you could point to things like he prefers living up there, likes the weather, etc.

[BTH]

1 minute ago, VladdyforHOF said:

Really. I feel like most Angels fans would be most upset about him going to the Dodgers out of any team. He wouldn't even need to change his residence. It would be a major slap in the face.

If he went to Seattle then at least you could point to things like he prefers living up there, likes the weather, etc.

It’s more understandable if he goes to LA, IMO.

Because he’d be living in the same climate, not moving that far, and be on a team that perennially wins.

[VladdyforHOF]

6 minutes ago, Trendon said:

It’s more understandable if he goes to LA, IMO.

Because he’d be living in the same climate, not moving that far, and be on a team that perennially wins.

You're suddenly talking about what would be more "understandable" when we were actually talking about what would sting the Angels fanbase the most. WAY different.

Of course it would be more understandable if he signed with the Dodgers over any other team besides the Angels. Very practical for him. It would also hurt a lot. If he went to Seattle or Texas or some east-coast team then it would be like an entire change of scenery for his career.

[BTH]

1 hour ago, VladdyforHOF said:

You're suddenly talking about what would be more "understandable" when we were actually talking about what would sting the Angels fanbase the most. WAY different.

I'm just speaking for myself, and the "sting" would be less if he makes an "understandable decision."

And I also hate the Mariners more than the Dodgers, which is why I'd be more upset with him going to Seattle.

[cals]

All we can hope for is that Ohtani is like one of these chicks that dates a loser that constantly disappoints her, but she sticks around because she’s sure she loves him can “change him”.  

Please Shohei, be that chick.

[Brian Ilten]

14 hours ago, Trendon said:

It’s more understandable if he goes to LA, IMO.

Because he’d be living in the same climate, not moving that far, and be on a team that perennially wins.

Really???

My how you all forget.  Tell me, how much winning did they do from 1988 - 2008

Its cyclical.

[Chuck]

For me, it would be worse if he signed with the Seattle Mariners. 

I mean at that point, stick a pineapple in my mouth and pull the plug. 

[Angels 1961]

Seattle going to 6-man rotation starting now.

[FromJapan]

On 8/18/2023 at 11:32 AM, Angel Oracle said:

If he leaves, sign Yamamoto, as a foreign FA, no lost draft pick.

 

Strength
He is a good command pitcher and has many types of breaking balls.
He is still 25 years old.
Stable Stats (the Sawamura Award* in 2021 and 2022)

Weakness
He is not very tall (5ft10).
His four-seam isn't so fast (average 94.3mph and maximum 98.8mph in 2022).

*, Japan's equivalent to the Cy Young Award

------

His curveballs

(YouTube) His artistic curveballs Splitters Yamamoto vs Ohtani (2017)

 

 

[Angel Oracle]

Is it just me, or does his delivery remind one a little of Ohtani’s?

Maybe some similarity to Darvish’s repertoire?