MLB (Non-Phillies) Hot Stove, 2024-25

[zambonir]

Well, here's a much firmer reason why Pressly could have never joined the Phillies - he was not happy the Astros signed Hader and took away his closer job.

Dana Brown Discusses Ryan Pressly, Alex Bregman, Astros' Roster

[jimbomill]

And why weren't the Phillies the ones making this trade?

I think Pressley is in decline. I'm glad we didn't allocate budget for him.

[andyb]

Scherzer to Blue Jays. More money than I thought he would get.

Sources: Scherzer to Blue Jays on 1-year deal

[bkeich]

At some point, you have to start to wonder if this guy is just taking the fall for Ohtani. So many things don’t make sense, he wasn’t known for gambling, he didn’t have financial issues and apparently had any money he wanted from Ohtani.

Where there is smoke….

Feds: No evidence of Mizuhara gambling addiction

[jimbomill]

he wasn’t known for gambling

Was Ohtani known for gambling?
It remains an interesting situation. As you said, some things don't make sense.

[zambonir]

That just sounds like the feds trying to get a bigger sentence. I don't see how you can say he didn't have a gambling addiction. Honestly I never found any of this to be suspicious. The idea that Ohtani was behind it all seems even more implausible - a much more complicated theory than, this guy really was just a crook, and couldn't resist having such free and easy access to so much money, and a client who couldn't speak English.. Financial advisors do it all the time, in sports and otherwise, for far less money and with English-speaking victims. .

I think if there was really evidence Ohtani was behind it all the feds would have absolutely loved to nail him.

[bkeich]

he wasn’t known for gambling

Was Ohtani known for gambling?
It remains an interesting situation. As you said, some things don't make sense.

No, definitely not. It just is a very odd circumstance to me. I like Ohtani, but then again I liked Bill Cosby, my ability to judge some of these guys is just suspect.

[bkeich]

That just sounds like the feds trying to get a bigger sentence. I don't see how you can say he didn't have a gambling addiction. Honestly I never found any of this to be suspicious. The idea that Ohtani was behind it all seems even more implausible - a much more complicated theory than, this guy really was just a crook, and couldn't resist having such free and easy access to so much money, and a client who couldn't speak English.. Financial advisors do it all the time, in sports and otherwise, for far less money and with English-speaking victims. .

I think if there was really evidence Ohtani was behind it all the feds would have absolutely loved to nail him.

I agree it is unlikely to be Ohtani, it is just odd that the evidence is so soft. Normally a guy stealing millions leaves a much clearer trail, but this guy was not gambling, had money in his accounts, etc. it just is suspicious, but you are right, I suspect they would love to catch a bigger fish. Maybe, just maybe, the trail was covered up well.

Obviously nothing to look poorly upon Ohtani, who truly is a generational player. I genuinely hope it isn’t him.

[zambonir]

But he was gambling. They are just saying he can't prove he had a gambling problem before he had someone else's money.

They also have him on tape embezzling Ohtani's money by pretending to be him. Now, that still could have been with Ohtani's cooperation, and he probably did the same exact thing to pay the phone bill.

If Ohtani was the guy who gambled, the only thing he really did wrong was implicating his interpreter. Assuming, that is, he didn't bet on Dodgers games and we think players not be allowed to gamble period (even with bookies) is really fair given MLB is so deeply in business with it now.

[bkeich]

But he was gambling. They are just saying he can't prove he had a gambling problem before he had someone else's money.

They also have him on tape embezzling Ohtani's money by pretending to be him. Now, that still could have been with Ohtani's cooperation, and he probably did the same exact thing to pay the phone bill.

If Ohtani was the guy who gambled, the only thing he really did wrong was implicating his interpreter. Assuming, that is, he didn't bet on Dodgers games and we think players not be allowed to gamble period (even with bookies) is really fair given MLB is so deeply in business with it now.

Well, any gambling on baseball would be a problem, not just the Dodgers. Yes, it is a bit of a “don’t do what we support”, but there is logical reason to not let players, managers and owners to bet on ANY baseball. It is just so easily corrupted.

Sadly, Pandora’s box is open, Baseball will never move away from that money. My guess is that it will eventually ruin the sport, but it will take awhile (hopefully).

Sports gambling in the Information Age is a truly bad idea so many ways, but future generations clearly won’t want sports that take 2-4 hours, as Boxing versus MMA already proved. I don’t know what Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey and Soccer will look like in 50 years, but you and I will not recognize it.

[zambonir]

Yeah. I guess the face value scenario - that the interpreter is guilty and he lied about it initially - still seems considerably more plausible than the idea that Ohtani was involved and MLB, the Dodgers, his agent and the federal government all conspired to protect him so it wouldn't embarass baseball or get Ohtani banned. And that they forced an innocent man to plead guilty in the process. They should have just fixed the World Series too if that's the case.

[bkeich]

I would have no trouble at all believing that Ohtani, the Dodgers and MLB. All conspired. None.

[dcsman]

No, definitely not. It just is a very odd circumstance to me. I like Ohtani, but then again I liked Bill Cosby, my ability to judge some of these guys is just suspect

Don't be so hard on yourself. Cosby was "America's Dad." But I hear what you are saying as I also had a great deal of respect for Paterno and supported John Edwards.

[bkox]

BREAKING: Right-hander Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a two-year, $35 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) February 3, 2025

Jack Flaherty's deal will pay him $25 million this year, after which he can opt out. The guaranteed salary in 2026 is $10 million, and it can get as high as $20 million if he starts 15 games this season. Flaherty found a lot of success with the Tigers last year and now he's back.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) February 3, 2025

[zambonir]

MLB fires ump Hoberg for shared betting account

[bkox]

BREAKING: Slugger Pete Alonso and the New York Mets are in agreement on a free agent contract, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) February 6, 2025

Pete Alonso's deal with the New York Mets, which is pending physical, is for two years and includes an opt-out after the first season. He'll make $30 million this year.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) February 6, 2025

In total, Pete Alonso's deal will guarantee him $54 million over two years, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) February 6, 2025

[zambonir]

Don't make any spring training travel plans for 2027 (at minimum).

In a vacuum, all owners would likely back a salary cap for the cost control it provides. Some owners are deterred in practice, however, by the lengthy work stoppage expected to be required to achieve one. The Major League Baseball Players Association has long opposed a cap, and many missed games could ensue if the owners aggressively seek one. Not all owners agree that’s a reason to back down, however.

MLB owners debate push for salary cap at summit this week

[Philsmania]

The definition of insanity.

[dcsman]

If there's a cap there also needs to be a floor.

[zambonir]

yeah there probably would be. it would change the whole system. it also probably won't happen, we'll just see another revision of the luxury tax stuff. but, there might be enough owners who want it to cost them regular season games. Players won't budge either. We'll see.