FromJapan

Ohtani will donate a total of about 60,000 gloves, three to each of around 20,000 elementary schools in Japan. The Japanese text on the right, handwritten by him, means “Let’s play baseball!”

The GM meeting was covered by NHK 7PM News Show on November 8th (JST). None of the teams revealed their plans regarding Ohtani's free agency. Dodgers and Giants are scheduled to respond to an interview on the 8th.

Certainly, the contents of this Japanese sports media article were nothing more than speculation. They went of their way to hold meetings in person rather than online. At least, it is speculated that It is necessary to maintain a high level of confidentiality. It has a huge impact on the management of the team. At the GM meeting, it is certain that many other teams would ask questions about this, so it was necessary to carefully prepare answers to anticipated questions.

I'm paraphrasing a little. (Original article in Japanese) Sankei Sports on November 7th [MLB] Did Angels' Moreno, Carpino, Minasian hold an exceptional strategy meeting at the venue of GM meetings to retain Ohtani? [Scottsdale, Arizona on November 6th (7th, Japan Standard Time)] The day before the MLB general managers meetings, which bring together all GMs, front office executives and agents, Arte Moreno, the owner of the Los Angeles Angels, John Carpino, the team president, and Perry Minasian, the general manager, held a meeting at the venue. It seems that the top brass of the Los Angeles Angels held an emergency meeting regarding the retention of Shohei Ohtani, who is the biggest free agent attraction this offseason. It is unusual for Moreno and Carpino to appear at the venue of the GM meeting. The three of them, including GM Minassian, discussed for over two hours in a restaurant at the venue in the morning. After completing the meticulous "strategy meeting" for the GM meeting, Minasian saw off Moreno to the parking lot and moved around the venue with a smile. Ohtani became a free agent for the first time in his career on November 2 (November 3, JST). The Angels, his team until this season, had an exclusive negotiating period for 5 days from November 2, but after the deadline of 5pm Eastern Time on November 6 (7am on November 7, JST), Ohtani's side will be able to negotiate with any team in MLB. Minasian, the Angels' general manager, is scheduled to be interviewed on both November 7 and 8 (November 8 and 9, JST) during the GM meetings. His comments on Ohtani's future will be closely watched.

(Link) MLB.com on November 5th Where's Ohtani headed? Our guess is 1 of these 8 teams Dodgers are still 'favorites' for Ohtani (report) MLB.com on November 6th The 9 most fascinating free agents of the offseason Japanese sports media is rife with speculation about Ohtani's future, with most articles simply re-reporting American news.

The Orix Buffaloes announced on November 5 (Japan Standard Time) that they have approved pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto's transfer to MLB through the posting system. He has already signed a contract with the agency Wasserman in preparation for his transfer. His comment: "During my seven years at Orix Buffaroes, I was able to grow a lot as a baseball player. I want to become a player competing in the world's best league."

In game 6 of the Japan Series, Yamamoto pitched 9 complete innings with 14 strikeouts and 1 earned run. Yamamoto allowed just two home runs in the 2023 regular season. The 1 earned run of this game was third home run this year.

On October 31 (Japan standard time), Bauer departed from Haneda Airport (Tokyo) to return to the United States. This will be my last post about him.

The Orix Buffaloes, to which Yamamoto belongs, recently advanced to the post-season in 2021 and 2022. 2021 In the playoffs (NPB calls it the "Climax Series"), which will compete for the right to participate in the Japan Series, he pitched in one game and won a shutout with four hits and no walks. (YouTube) Highlights on Nov. 10, 2021 In the Japan Series, he appeared in games 1 and 6 as a starting pitcher. He pitched 15 innings over two games with 20 strikeouts and two runs allowed. Game 1: 25 BF, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 HR, 2 BB, 0 HBP, 9 K, 1 ER Game 6: 35 BF, 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 11 K, 1 ER 2022 He started the one game of the Climax Series and pitched with eight scoreless innings. (YouTube) Highlights on Oct. 12, 2022 In the Japan Series, he started in Game 1, but left the mound in the begining of 5th inning with injuring his side, giving up 4 runs and being the losing pitcher. Game 1: 17 BF, 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 HR, 1 BB, 0 HBP, 4 K, 4 ER ----- Yamamoto won the Sawamura Award for the third consecutive year, which is equivalent to the Cy Young Award.

Yamamoto allowed a large number of earned runs in the post-season games. Even good pitchers can have bad stretches, and he is no exception. (X below) On October 18, in one of the games of the playoffs to participate in the Japan Series 7.0 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 9 K On October 28, in the game 1 of the Japan Series 5.2 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

HKS, Inc. designed Globe Life Field (opened in 2020). This company was also involved in the design of Escon Field Hokkaido (opened in 2023), home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (NPB).

The following articles were featured in Japanese sports news media. Los Angeles Times on October 25, 2023 Trevor Bauer wants back in the majors. Will any team even consider signing him? Los Angeles Times on October 30, 2023 Mookie Betts is at the World Series, but not as player. ‘I have to do better, no matter what.’

In 2016, Garcia appeared in only 4 games for the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants and was released from his contract after getting no hits in seven at-bats. He then defected and signed with the Cardinals.

Houston is in more trouble

(YouTube on October 23 (JST)) I Faced My Own Team To Prepare For Playoffs In this vlog, at 16:58, Bauer commented, "I've never said that I want to sign with a team that has a DH system." He avoided further mention of his future. The Yokohama DeNA BayStars, where he plays, is a Central League team that has not yet adopted the DH system. He is currently staying in Australia.

After Yokohama DeNA BayStars lost in the playoffs, Bauer no longer had a chance to pitch. The future of BayStars pitchers Shota Imanaga and Bauer is attracting attention. Imanaga is widely expected to move to MLB through the posting system.

(Link) Dragons release Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez - The Japan Times on Oct 6, 2023 The Angels also scouted him.

”42” was aired on NHK (a Japanese public broadcaster) at midnight on October 9, 2023 (Japan Standard Time). The subtitle of this film in Japan is "The Man Who Changed the World".

(Link) "Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream" Debuts November 17 on ESPN+ In Japan, it will be exclusively distributed on "Disney+".

On October 9th (JST) (YouTube) This Was Almost Bad News For Playoffs... ---------- On October 6th (Japan Standard Time), Bauer threw Live Batting Practice at Yokohama Stadium and joined the team practice for the playoff. The camera on the left rear in the first X(tweet) below was set up by himself for YouTube. He threw a total of 86 pitches to 6 players, and the fastest pitch was 93.8mph.

Cecil Fielder was the first MLB player to become the home run leader after playing NPB. He moved to the Hanshin Tigers (NPB) from the Blue Jays after the 1988 season, and then transferred to the Detroit Tigers after the 1989 season. He was the home run leader for two consecutive years in 1990 and 1991. On April 28, 1998, Hideo Nomo (Dodgers) hit a solo home run off José Mercedes against the Brewers, which was the first home run by a Japanese player in MLB.

Don't worry! I'm wearing pants.

English translation of Ohtani's comment on becoming the first MLB home run leader as a Japanese player: "I am humbled and honored to be mentioned in the same breath as the great Japanese players who have excelled in MLB. I would like to thank my teammates, coaching staff, and fans for their support in helping me achieve this goal." Reference in Japanese: Sponichi Annex (the website of Sports Nippon Newspapers) on October 2nd, 2023