I understand. I just took advantage of the opportunity to say some additional things. All that I said wasn't meant to be aimed at you.
Best way to sell Otani for Houston is ask him if he wants to be another Japanese player on the Yankees, Dodgers, etc or do you want to create a legacy by setting forth your own path. The impact of a Japanese player in cities like Houston can reap benefits on and off the field... almost Yao-like if you’re as good as advertised.
Giants are in that 2nd tier. They are in the NL which complicates the idea of him being a 2-way player plus they were terrible last season and their core is aging. But they do have a shot because of their city.
Yao had an impact because he was the first great Chinese player in the NBA. Otani isn't breaking any barriers or anything like that - there have been plenty of great Japanese players before him. He's not going to be more famous or more impactful by going to Houston than he would a west coast team or the Yankees.
We had matsui and aoki Although the weather where he plays isn't really similar to Houston. A lot of Japan is hot and humid like Osaka most of the island is hot and humid. I've been all over Japan it's surprising how similar the weather is to Houston in a lot of the very small country. Plus there is very large Japanese import export business done through Houston ports and some of Japan's biggest companies oil/energy and manufacturing base in Houston. The last 2 years have seen a large increase in Japanese businesses and residents. Our food imports from Japan have increased dramatically over the last five years. We have a huge Japanese super market which is Japanese businessmen preparing for even more growth as a result of the dramatic increase in Japense businesses.
Two players that no one cares about. Based on this, almost every team in MLB has a Japanese connection. Why on earth would Otani care about any of these things? You think being hot and humid and having a Japanese supermarket is how he's going to make his decision where to play?
You asked what the connection with Japan was.......seriously? Point Is houston is becoming more and more "connected" with Japan.... If you go to another country to live you will likely want a place that has some connection to your culture. In fact almost every Japanese player has chosen a market with at least that. Aoki and matsui may not mean something to you but every Japanese player that makes it in the MLB is a legend. These aren't really difficult jobcrots not sure why it's difficult for you to put it together...
Except I didn't. By those standards, lots of MLB cities can make that case. Absolutely true - and none have picked Houston. There are about 30-40 Japanese players that have played in MLB over the last 20 or so years, and they've played for a whole bunch of teams. Relatively speaking, Houston has had fewer Japanese players than many other teams. This is not a pro-Houston argument.
Otani will sign with Houston if the front office can put together a package that he feels is the best for him, same goes for every other front office.
You can’t count on that being happening again. The Astros will certainly be aggressive in adding a very good reliever through trade (most likely) or free agency. The Astros went very hard at three high end relievers at the deadline. Giles will be back and may even close, but the Astros will have a very adequate back up player in place.
Astros do not have the upper hand: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ly-to-sign-with-mlb-in-costly-move/105569680/ "In the signing period that began July 2, 12 teams are prohibited from giving signing bonuses of more than $300,000 as penalties for exceeding their bonus pools under the previous labor deal: Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs and White Sox, Cincinnati, Houston, Kansas City, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington." ..."Otani would receive a 2018 salary at or just above the major league minimum of $545,000. He would not be eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2020 season and for free agency until after the 2023 season."
Can't count on it, but not end of the world if they don't replace him. I tend to believe Verlander that the balls were too slick to throw sliders effectively. If MLB doesn't get ball fixed, Giles is done because he's a one trick pony.
Predicting destinations for top 25 free agents 1. Yu Darvish, 31, RHP 2. Shohei Ohtani, 23, RHP/DH 3. J.D. Martinez, 30, OF 4. Jake Arrieta, 32, RHP 5. Eric Hosmer, 28, 1B 6. Wade Davis, 32, RHP 7. Mike Moustakas, 29, 3B 8. Greg Holland, 32, RHP 9. Jay Bruce, 31, OF 10. Lorenzo Cain, 32, OF 11. Lance Lynn, 31, RHP 12. Alex Cobb, 30, RHP 13. Zack Cozart, 32, SS 14. Yonder Alonso, 31, 1B 15. Logan Morrison, 30, 1B/OF 16. Carlos Santana, 32, 1B/DH 17. Carlos Gonzalez, 32, OF 18. Jason Vargas, 35, LHP 19. Addison Reed, 29, RHP 20. Brandon Morrow, 33, RHP 21. Anthony Swarzak, 32, RHP 22. Eduardo Nunez, 31, 2B/SS/3B/OF 23. Todd Frazier, 32, 3B 24. Jonathan Lucroy, 32, C 25. CC Sabathia, 37, LHP
Hope most of those predictions aren’t true, otherwise the Yankees, Mariners, and Rangers are going to be a lot better next season.
I am not too worried about the Rangers and Mariners catching us. But the Yankees getting a lot better could be troubling.
