# MLB Hotstove, or the 2024 Ohtani sweepstakes **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [November 2, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492 "2023-11-02T17:48:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/1 "2023-11-02T17:48:39Z")
The Angels are now in their 5 day exclusive negotiations with Ohtani. I don’t think anyone believes he’s staying. His agent will push for a huge salary for a unique talent. Meanwhile another Tommy John surgery might mean he’s not so unique anymore. He’s currently scheduled to be able to hit next season but not pitch until 2025. I’m guessing he goes to the Giants. There are already some big manager and front office openings. Probably the biggest is to replace Dusty in Houston. Whoever takes that will inherit a team that’s still pretty great. What is going to be the first big move? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/2 "2023-11-02T23:07:16Z")
The Yankees making some early roster moves to clear space. Domingo German had about the biggest roller coaster ride you can have this year. He threw a perfect game in June then got placed on the restricted list for alcohol abuse treatment in August. > **[Domingo German’s controversial Yankees tenure likely over with latest roster...](https://nypost.com/2023/11/02/sports/domingo-germans-yankees-tenure-likely-over-with-latest-roster-move/amp/)** > > The Yankees’ 40-man roster cleanup is underway, beginning with the likely end of Domingo German’s time with the organization. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/3 "2023-11-02T23:21:58Z")
I’m guessing Ohtani lost about $100 million by suffering that late-season injury, but he may still get something like 10-years $500 million. The Dodgers were long considered the frontrunner, but Ohtani likes to defy convention, so who knows, he might go to the Mariners, Giants or Rangers. The Angels thoroughly wasted every single drop of opportunity with Ohtani. Not only did they fail to make the playoffs once with Ohtani’s 6 prime years, but they also refused to trade him and get whatever value they could - and still wound up missing the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/4 "2023-11-04T18:58:54Z")
White Sox decline their option on the very disappointing Tim Anderson. > **[White Sox decline team option on Tim Anderson, making him a free agent](https://wgntv.com/sports/white-sox/white-sox-decline-team-option-on-tim-anderson-making-him-a-free-agent/)** > > CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have declined their team option on shortstop Tim Anderson, making him a free agent, according to a press release from the team Saturday. After Anderson put together … ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/5 "2023-11-06T00:13:48Z")
Open season on free agents starts tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/6 "2023-11-06T05:38:55Z")
Marcus Stroman (surprisingly) and Cody Bellinger (non-surprisingly) both declined their options to remain in Chicago, meaning that the Cubs have to address their starting rotation, corner infield, and outfield deficiencies. There was speculation that Stroman, due to the injury he suffered late in the season, would exercise his option and remain with the club to try to increase his value going into the next offseason. There are whispers about Pete Alonzo from the Mets being a 1B target. Jaimer Candelario is a possibility for resigning. The Cubs have a fairly stacked minor league system. They have prospects to trade. I’m still not sold on Ross as the manager, but people seem to like playing for him, and it’s his first managerial job ever, so I’m trying to be patient with him. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/7 "2023-11-06T18:21:04Z")
Cleveland decided to go with a newly retired ex-player with no managerial experience and one year as a coach. > **[Former catcher Stephen Vogt named next Guardians skipper](https://www.mlb.com/news/stephen-vogt-named-guardians-manager)** > > CLEVELAND -- The search is over. > The Guardians announced on Monday that former catcher Stephen Vogt has been named the 45th manager in franchise history. > Throughout a rigorous interview process that also included candidates like Brewers manager Craig... ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/8 "2023-11-06T18:21:35Z")
> **[Mets reportedly hire Carlos Mendoza, not Craig Counsell, as new manager](https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/mets-reportedly-hire-carlos-mendoza-not-craig-counsell-as-new-manager-181502721.html)** > > The Mets have a new manager, and it's not the guy everyone has been talking about for the last few months. Carlos Mendoza as new Mets Manager ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/9 "2023-11-06T18:32:26Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > [Mets reportedly hire Carlos Mendoza, not Craig Counsell, as new manager](https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/mets-reportedly-hire-carlos-mendoza-not-craig-counsell-as-new-manager-181502721.html) > > Carlos Mendoza as new Mets Manager Rumors were unanimous that he was getting a manager job somewhere. Taking a job across town and not having to move seems like a good deal. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/10 "2023-11-06T18:36:09Z")
EDIT: now seeing multiple sources confirming Counsell to the Cubs?! Didn’t have that on my bingo card > ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/11 "2023-11-06T19:52:39Z")
[ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38833334/sources-craig-counsell-bolts-brewers-manage-cubs) is reporting it, as well. I saw an article a few months back that Counsell was the target the Cubs should pursue in the offseason. As I said upthread, I was willing to let him grow into the job. I wonder if Dansby Swanson had any input into this. He was taking an active role in the Cubs’ offseason moves. Speaking of the Cubs, Swanson, Ian Happ, and Nico Hoerner were all Gold Glove winners this year. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/12 "2023-11-06T20:56:57Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38833334/sources-craig-counsell-bolts-brewers-manage-cubs) is reporting it, as well. My understanding was that the Brewers were letting Counsell test the market, and if he got another offer, the Brewers had the option to match it, to keep him in Milwaukee. But, the Cubs (who weren’t known to be in the running, at least not from what I was reading last night) gave him a 5 year, $40 million contract, which makes him the highest paid manager in MLB history. I suspect that the Brewers’ response was, “we like you, Craig, but not at $8 million a year.” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/13 "2023-11-07T00:53:01Z")
The clock has reset for Ohtani. He was given a qualifying offer. He has until the 14th to reject or accept. I’m assuming he will reject it but I guess it’s possible he takes the one year deal and hopes his comeback from injury raises his price tag in a year. Nah. Some top free agents received qualifying offers also. > **[Sources: Ohtani among 7 to get qualifying offer](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38835153/sources-shohei-ohtani-7-receive-qualifying-offer)** > > Seven of Major League Baseball's most highly sought-after free agents were extended qualifying offers ahead of Monday's deadline. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/14 "2023-11-07T04:18:30Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The Angels thoroughly wasted every single drop of opportunity with Ohtani. Not only did they fail to make the playoffs once with Ohtani’s 6 prime years, but they also refused to trade him and get whatever value they could - and still wound up missing the playoffs. One of the most stunning wastes of talent in MLB history, all in the last phase of blowing Mike Trout’s career. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/15 "2023-11-07T19:09:47Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > > [@Velocity](#): > > > > The Angels thoroughly wasted every single drop of opportunity with Ohtani. Not only did they fail to make the playoffs once with Ohtani’s 6 prime years, but they also refused to trade him and get whatever value they could - and still wound up missing the playoffs. > > One of the most stunning wastes of talent in MLB history, all in the last phase of blowing Mike Trout’s career. Now they’ll get some compensation if he goes. Not nearly enough. It’s really hard to understand what they were thinking. Unless they planned on opening up the vault and paying him to stay why not trade him before the deadline to a contending team that was willing to give some value to rent him? I’m sure someone was willing to give up some prospects. Then a couple weeks later he gets injured to make things even worse. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/16 "2023-11-07T19:20:02Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Unless they planned on opening up the vault and paying him to stay why not trade him before the deadline to a contending team that was willing to give some value to rent him? Because at the trade deadline the Angels were within a reasonable distance from the playoff picture, and they made considerable moves to improve their team in order to get there. It all blew up spectacularly, but this is one move where the Angels should actually be applauded. I wish more teams would take low odds risks to make a run. As we’ve seen, once you’re in the playoffs, nearly anything can happen. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/17 "2023-11-07T20:23:52Z")
I’m sure it’s against MLB rules, but I’ve often wondered why a GM has never had a conversation with a player like this: > [@](#): > > GM: okay, here’s the deal…we’re not going anywhere this season, and we know that. The trade deadline is coming up, and you’re being asked about quite a bit. I know this is your walk year, and we love having you on this team. So this is going to sound crazy, but here’s what I propose: the Yankees are wanting to send us a package of X/Y/Z players, along with a decent prospect. I know you love being here. We want you to finish your career here. So what would you say to us trading you for these players as a rental, then resigning you in the offseason? We would be willing to pay a little over market value for the inconvenience. You know, just like a handshake agreement that upgrades the team, but allows the player to come back to a team that he enjoys playing for. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/18 "2023-11-07T20:53:53Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I’m sure it’s against MLB rules, but I’ve often wondered why a GM has never had a conversation with a player like this: Pretty sure the Oakland A’s had this talk with Rickey Henderson in 1993. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/19 "2023-11-07T21:10:56Z")
I’m not sure. I’m a big baseball fan, but I wasn’t too aware of the inner workings of everything at that point in my life. I was a lad of just 20 and more concerned about hedonism. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/20 "2023-11-07T23:45:45Z")
I always figured the Yankees had a similar chat with Aroldis Chapman. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492.md?page=2)