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Bink
12:58
How much of a concern is Darvish's control for the Dodgers this post season and for his free agency next year?  Darvish is still more desirable than Tanaka, true or false?
Dave Cameron
12:59
I don't think the Dodgers will abuse Darvish this winter just because he's heading to FA, and yes, he's significantly more valuable than Tanaka.
Average Team Age
1:00
if Arenado is a top 5 contender for NL MVP, why is Blackmon not?
Dave Cameron
1:01
He is. But he's not going to be an obvious candidate for voters who want to tell an easy story, and he hasn't separated himself from the pack enough to be championed by those pushing for the  most deserving winner. He's one of many good candidates.
Ray
1:01
What would you say to someone who thinks Hoskins is the next Russell Branyan?
Dave Cameron
1:01
That person doesn't know what contact rate is.
Jackson C
1:01
The scouting report for Otani is obviously extremely positive, but is there any chance he disappoints against MLB competition?
Dave Cameron
1:01
Of course.
Gronch
1:02
Question: why is the Pitch Talks event in SF 21+? Personally, this is really the first time It's been in my area, and I would've loved to go
Dave Cameron
1:02
The venue makes that call.
Bink
1:02
Apparently Otani asked people to spell his name Ohtani like Jojima asked to have his name spelled Johjima because it phoneticizes a sound for which there is no sufficient character in English, aka roman alphabet.  I think I have this right.
Dave Cameron
1:02
I will take your word for it.
PF
1:02
Does each team truly have an equal chance of signing Ohtani?
Dave Cameron
1:03
Well, no, definitely not. But I think every team has a >0% chance.
1:04
If you're handicapping it, maybe it's something like 15-20% for the top contenders, and 1% for the middle-of-the-country teams.
Bink
1:04
I think a number of teams (Mariners for sure, Angels almost certainly) would be more than happy to write consistent DH opportunities into an Otani contract.  I think if he struggles a ton, maybe it gets reworked, but I find it unlikely Otani would be satisfied with hitting once every five days.
Dave Cameron
1:05
The Mariners are going to force Nelson Cruz to the OF, where he'd almost certainly hurt himself and miss time, in order to guarantee DH at-bats to a guy who may or may not be able to hit big league pitching?
No.
Bernard
1:05
Hey Dave, would you recommend being an Economics major? Not for the purposes of baseball jobs, but I was considering switching my major from a humanities major.
Dave Cameron
1:06
An econ degree gets you in the door in a lot of different things. If you want to keep your options open, it's a good choice.
El Jefe
1:06
If you HAD to guess TODAY, where do you think Ohtani lands?
Dave Cameron
1:06
I'd probably say the Dodgers or Cubs are the favorites.
Jackson C
1:07
Do you see any teams trading for extra international bonus pool money in hopes of wooing Ohtani with the monetary edge?
Dave Cameron
1:07
Some teams have already done that.
But is he really going to choose where to sign based on $4M versus $7M? Unlikely.
Dooduh
1:07
Are there any non-Ohtani questions in the queue?
Dave Cameron
1:08
Not that many.
Webster
1:08
Would using him as a closer in the ninth and a hitter the rest of the game provide more WAR? Or would starting be the most viable option.
Dave Cameron
1:09
It depends on how good the bat is. But we also have no idea what the fatigue affect would be for trying to pitch after playing the first eight innings as a hitter.
Matt
1:09
Ohtani has to sign a standard contract, but if the team determines the salary, could they just totally throw the arbitration system out of whack and give him a contract for, say, 5M? Or would that fall under the "circumventing the international pool" rule?
Dave Cameron
1:09
MLB would shoot that down.
Kiermeier
1:09
so, in regards to Ohtani, if the O's keep trading international bonus pool $$, this affects what they could offer bonus-wise to Ohtani, correct?  As an O's fan, I really can't stand the O's.
Dave Cameron
1:10
Correct. They've traded away money that could have been offered to him for non-prospect minor league depth.
But again, if he really wanted to go to Baltimore, he probably wouldn't decide to go elsewhere because of a few million in signing bonus.
Ray
1:12
I don't get why Ohtani would rather be NL than AL. I get that an AL team couldn't guarantee he take the DH whereas NL could guarantee 1/5 days plus PH, but this is a guy who gave up $200 Million for the competition. You don't think he expects to be good enough hit every day & will take the chance in AL?
Dave Cameron
1:13
Realistically, no one is going to DH their star pitcher the day after he starts regardless, and probably not the day before either. That has to be some rest/prep period to let his body recover. So best case scenario, he's a 2-3 times per week DH, which means the team has to carry someone else to DH those other games, which creates a roster problem.
Bink
1:13
I know the Yankees aren't entitle to him but a) money, b) New York is a big cosmopolitan city with high visibility, c) they're a good, young team that's getting better, needs pitching, and really lacks a DH.  I think their history of signing Japanese players is at least a neutral factor,  and I find it hard to believe that they don't have at least a 20% chance compared to less than 10% for anyone else.
Dave Cameron
1:14
The Dodgers have money, are in a big city, are a good young team that is getting better, and don't have to contend with the DH problem.
1:15
You could just replace Yankees with Cubs in your description too.
David
1:15
Is there a possibility Ohtani's deal is the impetus for reworking the CBA regarding international signing bonuses? It seems like a superstar getting screwed financially could cause enough outrage for the Players Association to actually start fighting for international players.
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