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The media added, "No player generates as much advertising revenue as Ohtani ($100 million). According to Sportico's rankings, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies recorded the second-highest advertising revenue after Ohtani, but that amount is only $10 million (14.7 billion won)." This is a tenfold difference. Harper is also a superstar representing Major League Baseball, but it has been reaffirmed that Ohtani is the "superstar among superstars." The Tokyo opening series was, quite literally, a stage for Ohtani, by Ohtani, and for Ohtani. As Edman mentioned earlier, billboards featuring Ohtani's face could be seen anywhere, and Japanese fans, without exception, purchased and wore Ohtani's jersey as well as the Dodgers' blue merchandise. According to the American economic magazine Forbes, the Dodgers earned $70 million in new sponsorship revenue thanks to Ohtani last year. Furthermore, Ohtani personally has been earning extra money by filming over 20 advertisements across various industries. This is the Ohtani effect that always exceeds expectations." https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-sports/2025/03/21/MLO53JMFZJDTLF4MOXF2PLFZHE/

There aren’t a ton of options remaining in free agency. The Cards could kick the tires on a one-year deal for Miguel Andujar or Austin Hays, each of whom is coming off a big season with the platoon advantage. Old friend Tommy Pham is coming off a middling season against lefties but carries a .261/.368/.434 line in those situations over his career. Chas McCormick hasn’t hit in either of the past two years. He has a 20-homer season with a .273/.353/.489 showing in 2023 on his résumé. The Cardinals could also look into a switch-hitting utility option like Willi Castro or Luis Rengifo. mlbtraderumors.com

The White Sox have signed left-handed reliever Sean Newcomb to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. Newcomb found his footing in a relief role last season, posting a 2.73 ERA between the Red Sox and Athletics, including a 1.18 ERA from June 18 onward, but he is reportedly expected to at least have the chance to transition back into a starter. yahoosports.com

20% share in club split between groups $500 million in overhanging debt gone, poof...like magic

This guy will take Chicago by storm. The White Sox finally make a move that figures to show in the standings and the stands. Finally some activity on the south side.

“Rather than explain my swing, I would like for you to see my swing once the season starts,” he said. "I’ve been relentless working to tinker my swing to the U.S.” Murakami will become the the fourth Japanese-born player to play for the White Sox, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07) and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Takatsu managed Murakami in Japan. Murakami said he has connected with other Japanese players about their adjustment to the majors. That includes outfielder Seiya Suzuki and left-hander Shota Imanaga of the crosstown Cubs." https://japantoday.com/category/sports/white-sox-expect-japanese-slugger-munetaka-murakami-to-make-quick-impact-and-put-up-big-numbers Also, Rafael Devers might be a better comp than Schwarber in terms of swing and miss in the strike zone. "Gone are the days of having $25 million to spend and splitting it between Leury Garcia, Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, and Josh Harrison. Fans have been begging for even limited budgets to be allocated to higher-impact players like Murakami, considering that the former approach typically yields low (or negative) returns and replacement-level production. Even if the White Sox do not make more significant signings after Murakami and Anthony Kay, most fans would prefer this approach to the alternative." https://www.soxon35th.com/3-takeaways-from-the-munetaka-murakami-signing/ We shall see, lol.

The Twins have announced 3 new limited partners in their ownership group. Tom Pohlad is also taking over day-to-day operations of the ballclub from his brother. https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-ownership-group-welcomes-new-limited-partners

"They’re a long way off from spending to the levels of franchises like the Dodgers, Yankees and Mets, but the Pirates are being a little less miserly ahead of the 2026 season. With hopes of maximizing their window with Cy Young winner Paul Skenes on the mound, Pittsburgh has acquired outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe via trade and signed reliever Gregory Soto to a one-year deal. In perhaps the most significant sign that the Pirates are ready to contend in the NL Central, Pittsburgh is signing former Orioles designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million deal. The deal is far from the kind of eye-popping contract that those aforementioned franchises throw out each season, but it represents an important step forward for a franchise that has scant looked interested in serious contention at the ownership level. As noted by the Tribune-Review, this is the first multiyear deal that Pittsburgh has given out in free agency since 2016." www.si.com

Mehhhhh...

Random article posits that the Mets could beat the Reds' offer of injured pitchers with RHP Jack Wenninger (Mets #13, MLB), OF Nick Morabito (Mets #16, MLB) and picking up all the Robert cash. How NY Mets can outbid Reds for Luis Robert Jr. after latest trade swerve - MLB

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/what-happened-with-munetaka-murakami-how-did-a-player-projected-for-a-9-figure-deal-end-up-with-34-million-212938881.html More articles in one week than OHearn his entire career. Thought the joke comparing this with the Joc Pederson FA deal last year was pretty on target considering how often he was linked to the Sox in the last 5-7 years.

Sox scout Takahashi signs...Takahasi? Well, we've only been stressing this for about give years now. Better late than never, I guess.

Bleday has perfect defensive profile for a corner. you could put him in CF just to fill some time in '26 but it'd be nice if '26 has some competitiveness since i suffered so long just now and as a result stare at my family with eyes of hate(daily)

If the Reds do trade Hunter Greene, they won’t be able to afford to jettison young pitching unless they get more back. But they really are missing one more impactful middle of the order hitter.

I’ll happily take comp pick and Petty. Do it

Well we got a "Pacific Rim" scout now! Getz is For real tho, it's about time we starting finding asian players again. The silly thing is the Sox got useful seasons out of Shingo and Iguchi so it's not like JR didn't know the value of Japanese players. Or maybe he just forgot honestly.

This thread started before 2025…fwiw.

How are you feeling about Smith? He had a solid showing in the AFL, I believe. Not sure how much that matters, but it seemed like he was getting better near the end of minor league season, as well.

He spent alot of time on Petty...seems to suggest like in the other report that there also need to be something else added from CIN. Ruled out Duno and Stewart.

It’s mostly just due to no success on international market. I don’t really agree on the reaching part and the “punting” is necessary to spend on premium talent without extra picks.

Re depth, the Sox have 11 45+ or better ranked prospects, the fewest of the teams reviewed: Brewers 20; Dodgers 18; D’Backs 18; Reds 15. This has been persistent. A lot of reaching and a lot of punting.

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/the-starting-pitching-market-has-been-particularly-slow-this-offseason-whats-the-deal-015357345.html

Cubs and Yankees both seem to be out on Tatsuya Imai Leaves SFG AZ SD A's NYM Phillies Orioles Braves