# 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:** 9
**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:** [December 11, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/161 "2023-12-11T23:34:10Z")
Well, a little less crowded. Attendance was 66.2 million last season, up a bit from last year, but it’s been on a downhill run since a peak of 79.6 million in 2007. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/162 "2023-12-11T23:42:50Z")
Ohtani is deferring all but 2 million per year of his salary for 10 years. > **[Shohei Ohtani contract: Deferrals drop annual salary to $2 million on massive...](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/shohei-ohtani-contract-deferrals-drop-annual-salary-to-2-million-on-massive-700-million-dodgers-deal/)** > > Ohtani has signed with the Dodgers on a 10-year deal > “In an effort to enable the Dodgers to continue spending around stars Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, Ohtani agreed to defer all but $2 million of his annual salary — $68 million of his $70 million per year — until after the completion of the contract. The deferred money is to be paid out without interest from 2034 to 2043.” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/163 "2023-12-11T23:54:09Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Ohtani agreed to defer all but $2 million of his annual salary — $68 million of his $70 million per year — until after the completion of the contract Dang, he must really not need the money. $2M per year to live on (for these guys) is not much. I assume (but don’t know) that he has a ton of money from endorsements. ---
**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:** [December 11, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/164 "2023-12-11T23:58:44Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I assume (but don’t know) that he has a ton of money from endorsements. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that his endorsement deals in Japan are even more lucrative than his deals here in the U.S. This article indicates that it’s believed he makes upwards of $45 million annually on endorsements. > **[Shohei Ohtani will defer $680M in deal with Dodgers, sources say](https://abc7.com/sports/shohei-ohtani-will-defer-$680m-in-deal-with-dodgers-sources-say/14168468/)** > > Shohei Ohtani's 10-year contract with the Dodgers will see him defer $68 million of his annual $70 million salary, sources said. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/165 "2023-12-12T00:50:42Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > That is possible but it’s also possible that the pitchers’ union figures out how to pitch to him and his hitting stats take a tumble. Pitcher’s union? I mean, I don’t think they’re going to suddenly figure out how to pitch to him in a way that makes him suck when they couldn’t figure it out in six years. I think concentrating on hitting may help his hitting. > [@BlankSlate](#): > > Well, a little less crowded. Attendance was 66.2 million last season, up a bit from last year, but it’s been on a downhill run since a peak of 79.6 million in 2007. Attendance was over 70 million last year. MLB teams don’t have quite the attendance they did in 2007, but they make WAY more money. Bear in mind stadiums are smaller now but of MUCH higher quality, so they charge more. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2023, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/166 "2023-12-12T00:57:29Z")
Down is down. Viewership has been declining too. It’s unsustainable, unless the younger generations suddenly develop attention spans. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2023, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/167 "2023-12-12T01:04:58Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Viewership has been declining too. It’s unsustainable, unless the younger generations suddenly develop attention spans. I’m curious to learn if the improved pace of play this past season (thanks to the pitch clock and limited throws to first) led to any improvement in viewership numbers. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/168 "2023-12-12T01:16:52Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Down is down. Viewership has been declining too. It’s unsustainable, unless the younger generations suddenly develop attention spans. Attention spans has nothing to do with it. There’s just lots of entertainment to choose from. Things go in and out of fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/169 "2023-12-12T01:21:30Z")
The Orioles’ home for next season is back up in the air, thanks to Sen. Bill Ferguson and Gov. Moore. > **[Baltimore 'pauses' Camden Yards lease agreement with Orioles amid...](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baltimore-pauses-camden-yards-lease-agreement-with-orioles-amid-land-development-concerns/)** > > The Orioles' current lease expires on Dec. 31 ---
**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:** [December 12, 2023, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/170 "2023-12-12T05:34:38Z")
Not a bad deal for either team but I think the Yankees get the better of it. Sweeney doesn’t have to be on the 40 man to be protected yet. The Dodgers gain 2 needed spots on their 40 man. The Yankees get decent lefty bullpen help which is needed if they can’t keep Peralta. Vivas is doing better in the minors than Sweeney. I saw Sweeney at AA. I like him. I think he will be good. Time will tell. > **[Dodgers, Yankees swap INF prospects in 3-player trade](https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-yankees-trade-infield-prospects)** > > NEW YORK -- The Yankees acquired left-handed reliever Victor González and infielder Jorbit Vivas from the Dodgers on Monday, part of the ripple effect of Shohei Ohtani’s stunning 10-year, $700 million agreement with Los Angeles late last week. > The... ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2023, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/171 "2023-12-12T14:50:25Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Ohtani to the Bluejays? That’s a surprise. > [@nightshadea](#): > > tho all those places that said he was going to the Blue Jays look silly now, don’t they? > [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > So many people in Toronto were convinced he was coming here. Wanna know why some were convinced Ohtani was meeting with the Jays? [https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/12/11/robert-herjavec-shark-tank-mistaken-shohei-ohtani-disappointed-blue-jays](https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/12/11/robert-herjavec-shark-tank-mistaken-shohei-ohtani-disappointed-blue-jays) ---
**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:** [December 12, 2023, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/172 "2023-12-12T15:48:10Z")
From what I understand the Ohtani deferment isn’t nearly the break (or huge hit in 10 years). The cap hit is calculated over the length of the contract. By deferring the salary the Dodgers save $24 million on the cap not $68 million. Ohtani will be a $46 million cap hit over the length of the contract. > **[Shohei Ohtani contract: Explaining the massive $680 million deferral, why it...](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/shohei-ohtani-contract-explaining-the-massive-680-million-deferral-why-it-benefits-both-ohtani-and-dodgers/amp/)** > > Ohtani will earn just $2 million in salary a year thanks to the deferrals ---
**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:** [December 12, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/173 "2023-12-12T17:19:55Z")
I agree with the senators objection. Why should the Angelos family get to control public land for their own profit for the next 99 years just for the privilege of having them play here? Fuck that noise. The Angeloses and the Orioles can shove it, even if they are mymy team. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/174 "2023-12-12T19:05:49Z")
wow… you gotta admit that’s a story you can tell for years at the pub … ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/175 "2023-12-13T03:21:04Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Why should the Angelos family get to control public land for their own profit for the next 99 years just for the privilege of having them play here? Fuck that noise. True, but [why wait ten weeks?](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baltimore-orioles-sign-new-30-year-lease-at-camden-yards-the-ballpark-that-forever-changed-baseball/) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/176 "2023-12-13T03:22:43Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The Orioles’ home for next season is back up in the air, thanks to Sen. Bill Ferguson and Gov. Moore. This is a hell of a thing to leave until four months before a new season starts. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/177 "2023-12-15T00:50:40Z")
The next big move is probably going to be the two Asian pitchers. Yoshinobu Yamamoto a starter and Woo Suk Go a closer. Both are being circled by the same few teams. The Giants just signed Jung Hoo Lee who happens to be Go’s brother in law. That might give them an advantage. The KBO is the third best league in the world. I think it’s risky to pay a lot for players who have only faced inferior competition. Yamamoto is the less risky move but the competition is fierce. There is an excellent chance the Dodgers get him too. ---
**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:** [December 21, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/178 "2023-12-21T14:48:43Z")
I don’t quite understand what the Braves were doing with Matt Carpenter. They traded for him then dumped him 3 days later. Apparently they were looking to trade him. Cost them $3 million for nothing. ---
**Author:** ![RobotDevilDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@RobotDevilDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobotDevilDog)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2023, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/179 "2023-12-22T04:21:04Z")
It has just been revealed that Yamamoto will sign with…the Dodgers! Sorry New York teams. [Yoshinobu Yamamoto signs with Dodgers: 25-year-old NPB ace joins Shohei Ohtani on deal worth more than $300M - CBSSports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yoshinobu-yamamoto-signs-with-dodgers-25-year-old-npb-ace-joins-shohei-ohtani-on-deal-worth-more-than-300m/) ---
**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:** [December 22, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492/180 "2023-12-22T04:22:44Z")
Interesting. I would have thought he’d not want to have to share the limelight with another Japanese co-star. But having his pitching will help the Dodgers a lot while they wait a year for Ohtani’s elbow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hotstove-or-the-2024-ohtani-sweepstakes/992492.md?page=10)