✹The PERENNIAL Shohei Ohtani Thread✹

[anusinha]

Jeff Passan says that there is no current decision nor timetable for one to be made.

Seems like only the BJs and Angels are in contention

[Jaypers]

Originally Posted by Jaypers

He's chosen the Blue Jays.

I stand corrected. Alden Gonzalez reports he hasn't decided yet.

[NCWolf]

Acuna’s path to multiple MVPs just got a lot easier…

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by ClevelandIC

I know a lot of people have BBases on their block list but this is a fun one.

Can we name this The (Wrong) Call if he signs with Toronto

[cholodolo]

This thread has been quite revealing...one thing that bothers me...when did Shohei become some sort of ethno-nationalist? When did he say he needs some large "Asian population" (as if they are all the same)? And Toronto has more Japanese than OC/LA/SF?

Originally Posted by njsportscardguy

Large[r] Japanese/Asian presence in Toronto,...

Originally Posted by pezzicle

LA population is about 12% Asian. Toronto population is about 30% Asian, with about 13% Japanese/Korean. The Asian community here in Toronto is massive.

Originally Posted by pezzicle

It cites a high Asian Population as a reason for this, ignoring that Toronto has a massive Asian population too

According to the 2021 Toronto Census: massive South Asian as in Indian/Pakistani/Bengali/Sri Lankan (14%). Chinese next at 10%...the Japanese population of Toronto is 0.5% (Yes I went and looked it up because I found that an insane comparison based on historical migration trends and geography LOL).

Originally Posted by pezzicle

They also suggest "baseball is a niche sport" in Canada which it isn't and that they would "probably be trying to trade him in two years."

Which I also think is very wrong and just shows an absolute lack of knowledge about baseball in Canada and the popularity of the Jays up here.

Baseball is niche similar to the NBA in that it is dwarfed by the NHL/OHL/other hockey...there's zero chance of Ohtani and the Jays unseating the Leafs in popularity or media coverage. Also think you are overestimating how many people in Western Canada follow the Jays. (and yes I've seen Jays fans in Seattle, but how is that any different than Leafs fans in Vancouver? Or Yankees fans in LA?)

Originally Posted by Triple B

Hell play in Toronto with a team much better than the Angels, he’ll have Canada behind him, he’ll have Japan watching and he’ll have all of the fans in the US still cheering him on.

Yeah, I don't see US fans caring that much about him taking 3-4 ABs a game for the Jays. It won't be appointment viewing like when he pitched, or as big as playing for Angels, Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, Yanks etc. Would be like us saying Connor Bedard playing for Chicago is the same as if he played in Ottawa or Toronto. Toronto media is also as insufferable as New York...so good luck there.

Back to cards, I concur with a post that questioned whether Jays fans (among others) will rush to buy his Angels cards...I also find that hard to believe. I'm sure some will want to get a "piece of the action", but not sure there will be a ton of movement. I'd really be interested in what happens if he stays with the Angels...any movement either way? Aesthetically, at least, the cards would still be relevant/good looking. Going from red to blue is jarring on the eye. Maybe that's just me.

Also, that baseball cards are not popular in Canada. 100% true as evidenced by every single show review from the Toronto Expo. Largest percentage someone estimated was 10% of the show had baseball and 80-90% of those were Jays cards. Given we wouldn't see a Jays card until, maybe Series 2, not sure what to make of this alleged decision to select Toronto.

I'm glad I scooped up Ohtani's on the cheap in the Summer of 2020 after his injury...just wish I held some of them and didn't unload them all during the 2021 MVP run. I knew the house of cards (pardon the pun) wouldn't last, but should have bet on his staying power in the hobby. I was afraid he'd break again, which he did, but people still want to buy his cards. Much to think about.

Originally Posted by theredmenace

I was referencing Pujols/Trout, I completely forgot about Tony lmao. Back out to 2 decades and I could also be referring to Gary Matthews Jr/Vernon Wells/CJ Wilson/Josh Hamilton/Justin Upton, being an Angels fan sure is fun!

Post reported for violent speech/intentional infliction of emotional distress.

[BBases31]

Originally Posted by amg2002

Springer, Bichette, Ohtani, Vlad Jr. - I would not want to face the top of that lineup!

.732 OPS George Springer and .789 OPS Guerrero

[awz50]

Originally Posted by BBases31

.732 OPS George Springer and .789 OPS Guerrero

Yeah springer being the odd man out for sure

[ThoseBackPages]

i collect players, not teams

im not alone

[DonnieBBall23]

Originally Posted by cholodolo

Yeah, I don't see US fans caring that much about him taking 3-4 ABs a game for the Jays. It won't be appointment viewing like when he pitched, or as big as playing for Angels, Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, Yanks etc. Would be like us saying Connor Bedard playing for Chicago is the same as if he played in Ottawa or Toronto. Toronto media is also as insufferable as New York...so good luck there.

The Ohtani ABs/pitching highlights were what was appointment viewing, not the Angels. He'd give the BJs a big boost, and they'll be a fun team to watch-I wouldn't assume they're done after Ohtani either.

[NCWolf]

Bowden reporting no decision has been made and no decision is imminent.

Good grief

[cholodolo]

Originally Posted by DonnieBBall23

The Ohtani ABs/pitching highlights were what was appointment viewing, not the Angels. He'd give the BJs a big boost, and they'll be a fun team to watch-I wouldn't assume they're done after Ohtani either.

Not highlights...his pitching performances were must see TV. He's not pitching next season...for whoever it is.

[pezzicle]

Originally Posted by cholodolo

According to the 2021 Toronto Census: massive South Asian as in Indian/Pakistani/Bengali/Sri Lankan (14%). Chinese next at 10%...the Japanese population of Toronto is 0.5% (Yes I went and looked it up because I found that an insane comparison based on historical migration trends and geography LOL).

you're right, the thing I was looking at also included Chinese in the stat and I read it wrong. 13% is china/japan/korea which makes much more sense

Originally Posted by cholodolo

Baseball is niche similar to the NBA in that it is dwarfed by the NHL/OHL/other hockey...there's zero chance of Ohtani and the Jays unseating the Leafs in popularity or media coverage. Also think you are overestimating how many people in Western Canada follow the Jays. (and yes I've seen Jays fans in Seattle, but how is that any different than Leafs fans in Vancouver? Or Yankees fans in LA?)

Baseball is certainly not dwarfed here by the OHL, or any other hockey league outside of the NHL. The Quebec Ramparts play in the largest junior arena in the country. It holds about 20,000 people. They pace the QMJHL for attendance with averages under 9000. The Knights are the most popular team in the OHL, and they play in Budweiser arena (in my hometown actually) and are generally sold out. They are generally seen as one of the most popular junior teams in the country. They hold about 10,000 people in that place for games and the usually have an average attendance around 9000. The WHL has similar numbers for their popular teams.

I agree with you that they won't unseat the Leafs (they won't unseat a few NHL teams for popularity) but I also never suggested that they would, or that that even matters. And ya...maybe RE popularity? Guess it depends on what you think I'm estimating for how popular they are. They are extremely popular here in Toronto, and extremely popular in Ontario. It is lessened throughout the rest of the country but i've read things that say like 30% of Canadians outside of Ontario pay attention to the Jays and that number is closer to 50% in Ontario

However, I'm a bit confused by this statement " I've seen Jays fans in Seattle, but how is that any different than Leafs fans in Vancouver?" What does there being Leafs fans in Vancouver have to do with the fact that the Jays are the only team in Canada and represent the entire nation in MLB and a huge amount of people across the country are fans of the team? Like sure, its def more here in Toronto or in Ontario, but that also is like 40% of the entire Canadian population in that small area

[theshowandme]

amateur hour with these reporters

what else do you expect when social media likes/engagement drive promotions?

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I still feel like there’s a chance all this Toronto talk is just to get the Dodgers to hit $600. I’m guessing they’re playing hardball right now and won’t budge from their current number, and this is the agent’s way of rattling the pots and pans. I just can’t see him going to Toronto on a 10+ year deal. They don’t have the budget to compete year in and year out like the Dodgers do.

[pezzicle]

Originally Posted by cholodolo

Back to cards, I concur with a post that questioned whether Jays fans (among others) will rush to buy his Angels cards...I also find that hard to believe. I'm sure some will want to get a "piece of the action", but not sure there will be a ton of movement.

and ya they won't. Jays fans by cards of Jays cards. Unloading a Varsho rookie is much harder then unloading a Varsho 2023 card up here because they collect in a specific way

[pezzicle]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

I still feel like there’s a chance all this Toronto talk is just to get the Dodgers to hit $600. I’m guessing they’re playing hardball right now and won’t budge from their current number, and this is the agent’s way of rattling the pots and pans. I just can’t see him going to Toronto on a 10+ year deal. They don’t have the budget to compete year in and year out like the Dodgers do.

they could though. they are owned by Rogers which is a like 15B dollar corporation

[ThoseBackPages]

rare cards are good, regardless of team pictured

[hammertime]

SI reported it as if it was a done deal, no details though. It's entirely possible, even if the jet thing etc is true it's just a negotiation tactic, right?
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/news/s...ue-jays-ml0802

[hammertime]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

I still feel like there’s a chance all this Toronto talk is just to get the Dodgers to hit $600. I’m guessing they’re playing hardball right now and won’t budge from their current number, and this is the agent’s way of rattling the pots and pans.

Basically what he said.

[theshowandme]

Originally Posted by hammertime

SI reported it as if it was a done deal, no details though. It's entirely possible, even if the jet thing etc is true it's just a negotiation tactic, right?
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/news/s...ue-jays-ml0802

Did their AI tool write that?

[pezzicle]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

Did their AI tool write that?

legit exactly what I was thinking

[Inferno]

As a Canadian sports fan I would be absolutely floored if a megastar of Ohtani’s caliber actually chose to sign up here. I can’t help feel we (the Jays) are being used as a pawn in this whole thing. If he does come up here.. wow. I’ll have to make another trip to Toronto one of these summers.

[MyckKabongo]

Originally Posted by hammertime

SI reported it as if it was a done deal, no details though. It's entirely possible, even if the jet thing etc is true it's just a negotiation tactic, right?
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/news/s...ue-jays-ml0802

SI is just another click bait content farm now. This is just a guy quoting the original "report," not a confirmation.

I would be utterly shocked if he actually picked TOR. This does feel like a reporter got used for a bit of public negotiating.

[ThoseBackPages]

SI is still around?

[theredmenace]

Originally Posted by MyckKabongo

SI is just another click bait content farm now. This is just a guy quoting the original "report," not a confirmation.

I would be utterly shocked if he actually picked TOR. This does feel like a reporter got used for a bit of public negotiating.

JP Hoornstra would be an odd choice, he's pretty well respected in LA and I don't think he'd jump the gun if it weren't true.