Ohtani CARDS are Mostly UNDERVALUED

[Peter_Spaeth]

The Dodgers do not need him to pitch and if it were my team I would not risk a career or season ending injury by putting him back on the mound. He is killing it as a batter, leave well enough alone.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

The Dodgers do not need him to pitch and if it were my team I would not risk a career or season ending injury by putting him back on the mound. He is killing it as a batter, leave well enough alone.

While I agree with this take on the surface, he does specifically choose to bat lefty while pitching righty to minimize the impact arm fatigue or injuries would have on his hitting. Some credence can be given to the effectiveness of this considering he put up a historic all-time offensive season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

While I agree with this take on the surface, he does specifically choose to bat lefty while pitching righty to minimize the impact arm fatigue or injuries would have on his hitting. Some credence can be given to the effectiveness of this considering he put up a historic all-time offensive season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

If he blows out his pitching arm, he isn't batting, he's on the DL and back in surgery. Why risk it when he's arguably the best hitter in the league and you are the best team in baseball with your existing staff?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

The Dodgers do not need him to pitch and if it were my team I would not risk a career or season ending injury by putting him back on the mound. He is killing it as a batter, leave well enough alone.

The Dodger's pitching is pretty awful. They can get away with it in the regular season but they're going to need another strong starter come the post season.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

The Dodger's pitching is pretty awful. They can get away with it in the regular season but they're going to need another strong starter come the post season.

So they can buy one. Why risk the straw that stirs the drink, Ohtani? Besides, playoff baseball is pitching by committee these days.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

So they can buy one. Why risk the straw that stirs the drink, Ohtani? Besides, playoff baseball is pitching by committee these days.

You're also ignoring the fact that he signed with the understanding that he would pitch. It's always been part of the deal with him.

[cliffyb]

Ohtani has won three MVPs. I think he’s a shoo-in for the Hall given what he’s accomplished.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

You're also ignoring the fact that he signed with the understanding that he would pitch. It's always been part of the deal with him.

If I'm paying him a billion dollars I will tell him where he plays.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If I'm paying him a billion dollars I will tell him where he plays.

I'm sympathetic to the employer-billionaire employee argument, but I'm also cynical enough to believe that the Dodgers want Ohtani to pitch for a couple of years, even if it shortens his career (and reduces the medium term winningness of the Dodgers). The increase in franchise value for two years of a prime, two-way Ohtani is so massive.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If I'm paying him a billion dollars I will tell him where he plays.

If, when I signed him, I agreed to let him pitch, I would probably stand by that agreement. Nothing has changed since they signed him. Right now the Dodgers are a preferred destination. Piss off a couple superstars and that could change.

[Peter_Spaeth]

So he not only makes a billion dollars, he gets to dictate to the ownership and management? It might piss him off to take him out in the fourth inning too, or to limit his starts. Gee that might not go over well nobody's going to want to go there any more.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

So they can buy one. Why risk the straw that stirs the drink, Ohtani? Besides, playoff baseball is pitching by committee these days.

They can't buy a starter during the season, but they can trade for one. There's a big difference. Instead of just outbidding the other teams with the highest salary offer, they have to have prospects they are willing to give up that another team wants which they may not be able to easily outdo every other team.