caulfield12

"Prior to signing Ohtani, the Dodgers hired Lorenzo Sciarrino as their senior vice president of global partnerships. The role called for Sciarrino to lead the team’s global sponsorship department, supervising and engineering franchise partnerships with businesses domestically and internationally. With Ohtani in the fold, Sciarrino’s job was surely made easier as numerous partnership deals were announced early in the year. This included deals with All Nippon Airways, Kinoshita Group, Tsukiji Gindaco (concessions/food/catering), AFEELA, Yakult (milk products), THK, Kosé Corporation (cosmetics/skincare), Daiso, Kowa Company, Ltd. (beverages), and Toyo Tires, among others." New Balance/Gatorade https://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-added-70-million-in-sponsorship-revenue-after-signing-shohei-ohtani/2025/01/10/ Kinoshita Group is a prominent Japanese conglomerate involved in construction, real estate, healthcare, and notably, a wide range of arts and sports sponsorships, including major tennis tournaments (Japan Open), figure skating events (Kinoshita Group Cup), film production, and supporting ballet companies like the Paris Opera Ballet and The Royal Ballet School. https://m.yelp.com/biz/tsukiji-gindaco-los-angeles&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiyxNTxmtaRAxU1mWoFHaJbHAoQFnoECAIQAg&usg=AOvVaw0my4Rratp89Rw0Ca9tFaKB Afeela is the brand name for a new electric vehicle (EV) from Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture combining Sony's tech/entertainment with Honda's auto engineering, aiming for a "mobility partner" experience. Another day, yet another Japanese corporate marketing agreement with the Dodgers, this time with Tokyo-based machine parts manufacturer THK. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-los-angeles-dodgers-and-daiso-enter-into-multi-year-partnership&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiX6K7Bm9aRAxU8nSYFHfCXCcYQFnoECA4QAg&usg=AOvVaw2435eZRFe8ff7fALiBzDHb https://www.bevnet.com/news/2025/kowa-builds-u-s-beverage-lineup-with-shohei-ohtani/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj0jcrYm9aRAxVXkmoFHf53LPcQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw2QdXWJxPey6IUBM_6n6K0-

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

“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.

"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...

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.

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.

This thread started before 2025…fwiw.

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

If the choice was him or Pereira/Hill?

Isn't that because they were concerned with his total innings jump, just like Crochet the previous year down the stretch? He went from 90 to 146...so they probably capped him at around 150. And also using LHP reliever openers against LHB dominant 1-6 hitters?

Or Refsnyder's deal...pure platoon guy.

Surprised by the relatively low rating for Braden. Too much focus on a limited number of AA at bats. Going up two full levels in one season after not appearing the summer before due to injury should be viewed as a complete positive. Schultz was the top ranked LHP prospect in baseball a year ago. Hope he does better than the likes of Rauch and Kopech with those high accolades.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pirates-tied-kazuma-okamoto-mlb-171155977.html Pirates still looking to add Okamoto Red Sox and Jays in the mix

He was already fading in August/September.

So you prefer the rotating DH? What is Sosa actually worth on the trade market? Somewhere between peak Christopher Morel and the Morel of 2024-25?

At least Baldwin is listed over Pereira...

Interest will definitely increase after the Murakami signing. AL Central likely has had the fewest Japanese players over time.

Might be Hays at this point. Bader but likely too high based on 2025...CF ability and strong numbers second half. Miguel Andujar, if they limit his outfield play, has some quietly surprising numbers.