# 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:** 12
**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:** [January 28, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/221 "2024-01-28T00:37:10Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > In fact, among relievers, they’re pedestrian. His first “season” was 1 IP, and his 7th was 2020. Among relievers, he’s pitched the most innings since 2016. He’s not a closer, but they also didn’t give him $20m/year. He’s a highly effective high leverage reliever, and was the best reliever on the market once Hader was signed. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2024, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/222 "2024-01-28T04:40:17Z")
4.40 ERA in the postseason suggests otherwise (4 homers, 7 runs total in 14 innings) but he did have two scoreless innings in the World Series. It’s a thin market. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2024, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/223 "2024-01-28T13:32:14Z")
It’s absurd to draw any conclusions on 14.1 innings. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/224 "2024-01-28T20:44:50Z")
He’s a fourth relief pitcher. Might be worth it, might not. It’s not much of a commitment. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/225 "2024-01-31T00:48:44Z")
Good fucking riddance. DC and Baltimore finally both purged of a couple of the worst owners in the history of their respective sports. Now just need to get Ted Leonsis to sell the Wizards and Caps… > **[Angelos family agrees to sell Orioles for $1.725 billion to private equity...](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/angelos-family-agrees-to-sell-orioles-for-1-725-billion-to-private-equity-moguls-per-report/)** > > David Rubenstein and Mike Arougheti will initially purchase 40% of the club before buying out the rest ---
**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:** [February 1, 2024, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/226 "2024-02-01T04:07:58Z")
The Angels signed Aaron Hicks to a one year deal. The Yankees are on the hook for most of his contract. I’m surprised the Orioles didn’t hold on to him. He seemed like a good fit last year ---
**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:** [February 1, 2024, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/227 "2024-02-01T13:54:18Z")
Orioles have too many OFers as it is (especially with Cowser, Kjerstad and Stowers in AAA), but it’s weird that they’d go out and sign Sam Hilliard instead of just keeping Hicks. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/228 "2024-02-02T01:58:07Z")
Holy crap, I didn’t see this coming, and I can’t say I see why Milwaukee would do it. > **[In blockbuster trade, O's acquire Burnes from Brewers](https://www.mlb.com/news/corbin-burnes-traded-to-orioles?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share)** > > With Spring Training just around the corner, the Orioles pulled off a blockbuster trade Thursday night by acquiring right-hander Corbin Burnes from the Brewers. > Shortstop Joey Ortiz and left-hander DL Hall are going to Milwaukee, along with a 2024... I believe Burnes is on his final year, so he’d be a huge trade chip - but I’d also think he’d attract more than the 5th and 6th prospects of an organization. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/229 "2024-02-02T03:13:51Z")
Wow. Nice trade for Baltimore. Right to the top of the rotation. Gives them at least 3-4 good starters now. As an Orioles fan I can tell you Ortiz and Hall are both good young players. They have a logjam in the infield so he’s always been expendable to them, but we’re less happy about losing Hall. He’s a good pitcher and proven himself good in a relief role. Plus a #34 pick in the next draft, whatever that’s worth. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2024, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/230 "2024-02-02T15:44:35Z")
Great move by Baltimore. And who knows? Maybe the new ownership will extend Burnes. The Angelos regime wouldn’t have even considered it. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/231 "2024-02-02T15:45:04Z")
To be fair, the Orioles have what most people would call the most respected farm system in MLB—their 5th and 6th best prospects are probably on the level of most other teams’ 2nd and 3rd, or even 1st and 2nd. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/232 "2024-02-02T16:19:53Z")
Looks like the White Sox are stuck with Cease for now. The horror! ---
**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:** [February 2, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/233 "2024-02-02T21:02:01Z")
Absolutely - both prospects do seem to be MLB-ready guys. But none of them are major prospects. I think Baltimore got an absolute steal. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/234 "2024-02-02T23:59:20Z")
I’m hearing that draft pick is actually a fairly significant value. Even being the only type of draft picks that can be traded, it still doesn’t happen that often, because small market teams like the Orioles and Brewers rely on them to keep their farm systems stocked. It’s at the end of the first round, but it’s still essentially a first round pick. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/235 "2024-02-05T18:17:11Z")
Bobby Witt, Jr. rings the register as the Royals move closer to a new downtown stadium. 11 years, 288 million. > **[Royals sign Bobby Witt Jr. to largest contract in franchise history,...](https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/royals-sign-bobby-witt-jr-to-largest-contract-in-franchise-history-reportedly-worth-2888m-181054133.html)** > > The Royals have signed shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to the largest contract in franchise history. > **[Sources: Witt Jr., Royals agree to $288.8M deal](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39464757/sources-bobby-witt-jr-agrees-11-year-2888m-deal-royals)** > > Bobby Witt Jr. and the Royals are in agreement on an 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension, sources told ESPN, a staggering guarantee that will keep the young star in K.C. as they attempt to build a team, and a new stadium, with him at the... ---
**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:** [February 5, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/236 "2024-02-05T19:39:11Z")
Wooooooooooo! Man that’s great news. I was getting worried they not only were they not going to sign him, but the Royals were going to continue their long term death spiral by trading away serviceable (and free!) assets like Samad Taylor and spend too much money on Samad Taylor-level production guys like Adam Frazier. I’m super-excited Witt is here to stay. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/237 "2024-02-06T18:28:05Z")
Dodgers resign Kershaw. Details unavailable, but he will go on the 60 Day Disabled List Thursday. The goal is to be ready to play after the All-Star break. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/238 "2024-02-08T18:27:03Z")
Orioles pick up LF/utility guy Nick Maton from the Tigers for cash. 26 years old, 3 years in the majors, career .208/.306/.361/.666; numbers have gone down every season, but across only 438 total at-bats. There’s the final piece on a World Series team! 😁 But seriously, GM Mike Elias has earned the benefit of the doubt on guys like this. Ryan O’Hearn, Aaron Hicks, Adam Frazier, Yennier Cano, all guys picked up off someone else’s trash heap and they rewarded him with the best season they’ve had in years. Or maybe he’s just a warm body to occupy a roster spot. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/239 "2024-02-10T16:01:10Z")
Apparently Toronto’s big additions this offseason will be 39-year-old Justin Turner and a middle reliever who didn’t pitch last year but had a good year in Japan in 2022. The contention window is closed now; they will not make the playoffs this year, and I will be mildly surprised if they’re a .500 team. They don’t seem interested in extending Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., either, at least one of whom will win an MVP Award for another franchise. ---
**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:** [February 10, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/240 "2024-02-10T16:30:35Z")
Scott Boras is still playing chicken. Both Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell are available. The Yankees offered Snell a very good contract but it was turned down. Not sure what has been offered to Montgomery. 3 days until pitchers and catchers and these two still don’t have a team. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492.md?page=13)