Vlad27Trout27

well there goes my pick for the top Bp option for us to get.

the fact that Ohtani doesn't hit when he pitches can cross out the NL teams. so, they have a small chance, 15% padres, 10% dodgers and 5% Cubs Mariners- they have an aging roster, with not much going in the farm system. Nothing after Paxton, still a decent lineup but also have a terrible manger. than they had the greatest Japanese player to ever play. I would give them a 25 % chance just do to being a west coast, team Angels- a mix of veterans and guys at there primes, a system that should be ranged towards the middle in a year or 2 and talent coming up in 2-3 years time. Best player in the game plus a mentor that was once greatest player in his prime. A young pitching staff, never had a Japaneses start. I can see the injury to the Sp decrease our chances at about 35% Texas- combination of young and aging starts, Rotation not strong at all, system is OK, but not great. Weather? not a pitchers park but a good hitters park. had Darvish- 10%

I have to believe that its going to come down to us or the Mariners. with the few facts that i've heard about ohtani's wants and the fact the Billy randomly made a trade to acquire intl bonus, i have to say our chances are good.

Quick question, why is Ohtani having his meeting in LA? is it because his agency is located here or would Ohtani like to stay towards the west coast? Well what ever the reason is, just the fact that's he in LA gives us a head start on signing him. Its going to be interesting seeing who we bring with us to the meetings? probably Trout, Pujols, and Richards.

I'd look at Hector rodon and slmyly as another Bp piece by mid season.

Well if Adrian Beltre can play 3rd with his bad hip and legs, i don't see why Pujols can't plan 1st after having a " normal" off season. Plus you also have to consider that yes Ohtani did dominate in the KBO, buts this isn't the KBO. Just look at Eric Thames after the all-star break, also Thames was a much better hitter than Ohtani was in the KBO. with that said i think the rigid schedule and the adjustments are going to take an toll on Ohtani and he's going to switch to being a pitcher for most of the season.

so wait does that mean,of the 1.3mil we have in intl bonus, we've spend 500K on this kid? leaving us with 900K. So, no Ohtani than?

aahhh the suffering......... oh wait, i never listen to her.

I think we are 1 of the two unknown team simply due to Eppler getting the intl bonus just before ohtani gets posted. Its interesting that billy has been quite about Ohtani and most fan's( except for me) weren't buying into the idea of getting ohtani until now.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2747062-shohei-ohtani-reportedly-wants-to-sign-with-mlb-team-with-no-japanese-stars So just saw this, don't know if its true or not.

I agree with both parts and also don't get the fact why people are down on Skaggs. So far i would say he's had a nice career a bit the injury hurt, i personally think that theirs still a lot of potential left in him.

for a guys that's giving up millions of dollars, 1-mil wouldn't be a big difference for him. I think he's mostly looking for a team that will allow him to be a 2-way player and a place that he feels comfortable in. which is the main reason that i think we have a chance, with heavy Japaneses community it could help.

I felt as if Shoe was going to have a solid year last year before injuries. If you look at his stats for last year, he started slow and that got hot before getting hurt, compare these to his career stats for months he could have had a solid year. I think skaggs will have a really good year next year, he'll have a year where he doesn't have to worry about healing from a injury, but instead work on a few things to improve on. also another thing, if Skaggs adds a cutter to his fastball/ 2 steamer, it could help him out. He could attack righties inside with that, eventually opening up the outside for a curve/ Change, against lefties it could work like a slider and make the 2 steamer more effective. heck i think if shoe add a cutter to his pitch selection it can be beneficial for him aswell, helps his struggles against lefties.

Quick question, do we have 1.3 mil or 1.5 mil in intl bonus?

From fletcher last tweet it looks like we may bring ohtani in to pitch and hit. I could see a 3 way platoon for 1st and DH, also on certain days( when Richards or another groundball pitcher is pitching) i can see Ohtani in the outfilder to give rest to either Upton/ Calhoun. From what i'm hearing is that he's looking at about 200-250 ab's per season so roughly 50 games. if my math is correct- 1st half of the season- 2nd half- 1st- 10 games 10 games Dh- 10 games 10 games Rf/Lf - 5 games 5 games so total depending on the amount of bats - 50 games ( 200-250 abs) this also doen't limit the Ab for Pujols, Cron, Upton and Calhoun. also looks like Pujols may play more 1st next season probably 20-25 games.

Plus if Billy has a clear chance to sign ohtani, he could still trade to get more intl bonus.

Icould see him either at 1st/DH or right.

Ooh wow, this definitely is sign that we are going after ohtani. Yes, I know about the braves kids as Well but we can spend next year's bonus on them aswell.

I have give Props to Eppler and co for the talent that've put in the system in the past 2 years. Everyone knows that've stock pilled on Of but they also slowly have stock pile on young raw arms, Rivera is one of those young guys similar to Crod, Soriano and many more. Just can't wait to see how they develop by 2019-2020

its going to be tough replacing petit, but i think the reason Billy let him walk was do to the emergence of Paredes, looking at him pitch last year was like petit pitch, they both are similar whit the except of padres having better stuff. With an improving Paredes and an Middleton, included to Parker and a healthy Bedrock we may have the best 7-9th inning guys in the AL with Bostons, that's if they pitch to there potential ( Which we've seen) plus wouldn't be surprised to see Chavez back with us as long reliever.

and the former first round pick, Kaleb Cowart had his first all-start year, silver slugger and won his 2nd gold glove at 2nd. 2017- .298/.359/.531 with 30 Hrs and 103 RBI.

interesting that we didn't sign him especially for that price. It could also mean that billy and co could be going after Minor, Davis or Morrow. But really surprised that we didn't sign him.

Drew smyly would also be a depth move as well.

I'd say bring back EYJ, loved his attitudes in the clubhouse, sign JJ as a backup ss/2nd base, Let coward and valbumea fight for 3rd, depending on what billy's plan is at catcher, id stick with juan or sign a lefty offensive minded catcher as a backup to Maldonado.

WOW!! just checks his walks from the last year few years and they are not good, while the strikeouts was OK. I think the biggest issue with pujols is that he's trying to pull every dam pitch, its so frustrating watching him hit into these the shifts when everyone knows that he can can go off with the best. I Even tho age is getting up to him, i still think he's still a good hitter and it starts with lowering the pull rate. The walks will increase and doubles will increase as he'll start to see the ball better going middle and right field, if he brings the pull rate down to 38-40% keep the center at 38% and increase his usage to fight field to 20% we could get a .270/.335/.475/ slash line.