Shohei Ohtani

[Former Athletics GM (Das)]

 Being that the MLB owners had to handle Ohtani differently, I thought it might be worth bouncing this idea around.  What if all 30 teams submitted to Ohtani's request for his questionnaire?  We would post our plea, as a league we would vote which 7 win, from there have it be random as to which team is awarded Ohtani, that team would post $20M of their 2018 salary cap.  I'm thinking that since we have a high quality collection of owners in this league that something like this might be more fun than just going along with the current IFA rule for Ohtani.

Here is a couple articles that sort of flow with the idea of having to submit to Ohtani's request of teams in pursuit of him.

m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/11/26/262415514/shohei-ohtani-letters


eastvillagetimes.com/2017/11/the-questionnaire-and-why-the-padres-could-still-have-a-shot-at-shohei-ohtani/

[Former Twins GM (Robin)]

That's an interesting and fun idea, but I think it opens too big a can of worms. We've always put these guys into the draft and if I was the team with that number 1 pick (I'm not), I'd be deeply unhappy.

[Cubs GM (Beau)]

Yup. That would be an absolute blast. Can't screw 1.1 though.

[Royals GM (Mac - Retired)]

UCL damage in his pitching elbow might have just saved 1.1 from getting screwed

[Former Twins GM (Robin)]

I'd still take him. If he's a true 2 way, Fantrax is going to have to make adjustments. You could just roll him out in CF.

[Nationals GM (Preston - Old)]

Dec 13, 2017 16:41:52 GMT -8 Former Twins GM (Robin) said:

I'd still take him. If he's a true 2 way, Fantrax is going to have to make adjustments. You could just roll him out in CF.

Would he be a two way? Would he take up two roster spots on Fantrax, one on each side?

[Former Twins GM (Robin)]

Ahead of this, perhaps we should examine pitchers and AB's.

[Royals GM (Mac - Retired)]

Dec 13, 2017 18:38:22 GMT -8 Nationals GM (Preston - Old) said:

Dec 13, 2017 16:41:52 GMT -8 Former Twins GM (Robin) said:

I'd still take him. If he's a true 2 way, Fantrax is going to have to make adjustments. You could just roll him out in CF.

Would he be a two way? Would he take up two roster spots on Fantrax, one on each side?

Since we are a head-to-head match up, I think the person who owns him he’s probably going to have to decide whether he uses him as a hitter or a pitcher and that it sticks for the entire week until the next match up

[Rockies GM (Dan)]

I think that kind of diminishes a lot of his value if he's not able to both pitch and hit.

I think the biggest issue with software and coding comes up if you want Ohtani's batting stats on days he's pitching. Otherwise, position eligibility should make sure he's only getting batting stats on days he's batting or pitching stats on the other days. I know I've read that ESPN and Yahoo! plan on having two Ohtanis - one as a batter, and one as a pitcher. We may just have to make an exception, and say that if Fantrax does the same, that technically whoever owns him can roster 51 players (as long as Ohtani is 2 of those players)

[Royals GM (Mac - Retired)]

For draft purposes, will Brandon McKay have the same status as ohtani. He played 1st and pitched.

Fantrax has him as dual status. His value would increase in the draft with it

[Rockies GM (Dan)]

I think yes, unless/until he's forced to give up one or the other. I don't see why we would limit a player.

[Nationals GM (Preston - Old)]

I agree, Dan.