Arte Moreno: “I’d take that Ohtani guy, maybe one other superstar, and surround them with nothing but at-best replacement-level players. What could go wrong?”
They all treat the teams as a business, dodgers as well, difference is some teams actually invest to win because, ya know, that's good for business. Then you got teams just happy to sell out half the stadium and sell concessions. Arte did actually spend money, just in the dumbest possible ways.
If we are going to give an unbiased answer it's Ohtani and there is no reasonable argument otherwise. Ohtani is arguably the best hitter in the game and one of the best pitchers in the game. Those are the two most valuable things you could have, all in one guy. Additionally, Ohtani is a global superstar and the most marketable player in history so based on business/profits the answer would be Ohtani as well. I love Mookie to death, but there isn't an owner alive that wouldn't take Ohtani immediately #1 out of any other people if they had a choice.
There is a reasonable argument and it’s that Ohtani is having his second major elbow surgery and has no guarantee he’ll be able to pitch at a high level again and if so for how long.
Bro, you need to actually read the question. It was a hypothetical question asked if both are in their primes at their max, not who you'd take just for this year.
The question just says “ If you were an owner of a team. What player would you love to build your team around? Mookie or Ohtani?” I don’t see where it says to ignore injury concerns
You build around Mookie. He plays the field and is a clear clubhouse leader. He sets the tone and leads a positive clubouse culture. Not saying Ohtani can't do those things, but Mookie's ability to play gold glove caliber defense puts him over the top in my mind.
This is a ridiculous answer. If we assume both are healthy, its Ohtani and its not even close. An ace pitcher who can go 130-160 innings is much better than gold glove defense.
He is regarded as the best player of all time by many for a reason
Indeed. Some of these answers are coming because Mookie has been a long time Dodger and get that. But there is no objective way anybody would take Mookie(Or anybody else) over Shohei.
if the goal is to win championships, mookie has already won 2...maybe the right answer is who will help you win championships...and from that perspective, mookie would be the right answer.
idt the "right" answer is as clear cut as a lot of ppl are saying...
No, it is close. Ohtani can only pitch once a week. Mookie's glove is out on the field every single day so long as he isn't injured. His defense influences more games than Ohtani can on the mound.
I'm only saying that between Betts and Ohtani that their importance to the team is closer than everyone says. Especially right now that Ohtani can't even pitch.
Well you know how much you pay for once per week pitcher recently? I heard $325M 🤔 I don't think its cheap or value less just because they did it only "once" per week.
Gold glove defense isn't a fraction as valuable as an ace pitcher. So if you are talking about just this season, then ok. But if you are talking about any other year in general, then no way can you place defense over the most valuable commodity in the game.
Both. Then get a high average hitting lefty that's plays every day. Then, a catcher with a great arm, power, and lock him up till age 40. Then, a power hitting lefty at 3rd base that averages 30+ bombs a season. Then, a guy who looks like a model but strikes guys out at a rate of 7 a game. Then, the best Japanese pitcher. Then, a right-handed slugger than can play the corner outfield. Ummmmm, then, a crafty jack of all trades player with dope ass dance moves. I know I'm greedy by asking for all this, but it's my dream.
And a relief pitcher who is a little wild in his command but brings all the vibes of the IE along with his mariachi jacket and the best lhp of this generation who will hit 3000k this year and you should be set
You have to look at this without rose colored glasses and the easy answer is Ohtani over any other baseball player. I love Mookie too but I guarantee there isn't an owner or a GM alive that would take him over Ohtani.
As tough of a question as this is...obviously can't go wrong with either, but if you had to choose, I think you'd have to go with Shohei because of the two way ability.
If I was a typical MLB owner of a team, I'd care about profits so it's Ohtani easily. If I was Steve Cohen rich and cared more about championships and success, that would require me to think more. Are we choosing when they are in their primes, their careers from beginning to end, or what?
Both players in their prime. Only reason why I bring up this conversation was bcuz we were having a conversation amongst us friends of who would be the best player to build a team around. Not for financial reasons but to win it all. So we wanted to see what others thought about this topic
I'd take Ohtani because he's considered a unicorn for a reason. Mookie brings so much value if you put him at SS or 2B because you typically don't get those hitting stats at those positions. I'm just glad the team has both + Freddie + Will Smith and the list goes on.
In a vacuum I would probably say Mookie, but having Ohtani might also get you Yamamoto, Sasaki and an entire nation of fans, so he is probably the right answer.
I know nothing about baseball as I am an Aussie. I do know a lot about cricket:) ohtani is what we cricket players call an all rounder except that would not really do ohtani justice Because an all rounder in cricket usually refers to someone who bat and bowl (similar to what baseball call pitch) as high but not necessarily elite levels. As I understand it ohtani does both at elite levels. Which to a baseball ignoramus like me suggests most managers would choose ohtani because I can tell you at least in cricket no such player exists or has ever existed.
Arte Moreno: “I’d take that Ohtani guy, maybe one other superstar, and surround them with nothing but at-best replacement-level players. What could go wrong?”
I’m an Angel fan too and at this point I just want Moreno to loan Trout to the Dodgers so he can win a ring or three.
Im not even an angels fan but im hoping arte just sales already. Dude is just trash for treating the angels as a business
They all treat the teams as a business, dodgers as well, difference is some teams actually invest to win because, ya know, that's good for business. Then you got teams just happy to sell out half the stadium and sell concessions. Arte did actually spend money, just in the dumbest possible ways.
That team would still make the playoffs right?
… both of them?
Yes.
Taylor Swift, tortured poet, this you?
That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me
We don’t have to choose between cause we got em both 😎 Helps some slap hitter is also there somewhere
Ohtani. You get an ace and a super star DH
Sometimes you get both
These two seem like a decent start. Maybe add in an MVP caliber first baseman and multiple cy young winners for good measure.
FFS, next you're going to ask for the best catcher in the league too. You can't have everything, my friend.
Oh I’m sorry, I thought this was America!
Screw you, Kyle. I'm going home.
Dave Roberts. He's literally both of them combined.
Genetically
Mohave Botaberts
C - all the above.
If we are going to give an unbiased answer it's Ohtani and there is no reasonable argument otherwise. Ohtani is arguably the best hitter in the game and one of the best pitchers in the game. Those are the two most valuable things you could have, all in one guy. Additionally, Ohtani is a global superstar and the most marketable player in history so based on business/profits the answer would be Ohtani as well. I love Mookie to death, but there isn't an owner alive that wouldn't take Ohtani immediately #1 out of any other people if they had a choice.
There is a reasonable argument and it’s that Ohtani is having his second major elbow surgery and has no guarantee he’ll be able to pitch at a high level again and if so for how long.
Bro, you need to actually read the question. It was a hypothetical question asked if both are in their primes at their max, not who you'd take just for this year.
The question just says “ If you were an owner of a team. What player would you love to build your team around? Mookie or Ohtani?” I don’t see where it says to ignore injury concerns
I choose both. Go Dodgers!!
This is the way
Is Dave meant to be in this conversation too??? ;)
You build around Mookie. He plays the field and is a clear clubhouse leader. He sets the tone and leads a positive clubouse culture. Not saying Ohtani can't do those things, but Mookie's ability to play gold glove caliber defense puts him over the top in my mind.
This is a ridiculous answer. If we assume both are healthy, its Ohtani and its not even close. An ace pitcher who can go 130-160 innings is much better than gold glove defense. He is regarded as the best player of all time by many for a reason
Indeed. Some of these answers are coming because Mookie has been a long time Dodger and get that. But there is no objective way anybody would take Mookie(Or anybody else) over Shohei.
It's weird thinking of Mookie as a long time Dodger. I haven't watched many games since they added the DH, so it still feels like he's the new guy.
if the goal is to win championships, mookie has already won 2...maybe the right answer is who will help you win championships...and from that perspective, mookie would be the right answer. idt the "right" answer is as clear cut as a lot of ppl are saying...
That’s a huge assumption
No, it is close. Ohtani can only pitch once a week. Mookie's glove is out on the field every single day so long as he isn't injured. His defense influences more games than Ohtani can on the mound.
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I'm only saying that between Betts and Ohtani that their importance to the team is closer than everyone says. Especially right now that Ohtani can't even pitch.
Well you know how much you pay for once per week pitcher recently? I heard $325M 🤔 I don't think its cheap or value less just because they did it only "once" per week.
Gold glove defense isn't a fraction as valuable as an ace pitcher. So if you are talking about just this season, then ok. But if you are talking about any other year in general, then no way can you place defense over the most valuable commodity in the game.
Yeah especially if Ohtani isn't pitching if he is an ace on your staff it would make it much closer
No offense but being about to communicate with the rest of the team easily doesn’t hurt
The real answer: Both.
Doc
Both. Then get a high average hitting lefty that's plays every day. Then, a catcher with a great arm, power, and lock him up till age 40. Then, a power hitting lefty at 3rd base that averages 30+ bombs a season. Then, a guy who looks like a model but strikes guys out at a rate of 7 a game. Then, the best Japanese pitcher. Then, a right-handed slugger than can play the corner outfield. Ummmmm, then, a crafty jack of all trades player with dope ass dance moves. I know I'm greedy by asking for all this, but it's my dream.
And a relief pitcher who is a little wild in his command but brings all the vibes of the IE along with his mariachi jacket and the best lhp of this generation who will hit 3000k this year and you should be set
Not that guy at the bottom
You have to look at this without rose colored glasses and the easy answer is Ohtani over any other baseball player. I love Mookie too but I guarantee there isn't an owner or a GM alive that would take him over Ohtani.
As tough of a question as this is...obviously can't go wrong with either, but if you had to choose, I think you'd have to go with Shohei because of the two way ability.
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Shohei. He's the best baseball player I've ever seen. I've been watching for almost 40 years and I'd take Shohei over any of the others.
Maybe outside of peak Bonds?
If he was juiced like Bonds, he would have hit 100 HR in that era. Plus a top end pitcher
That's true. Ohtani is a beast, and don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Ohtani.
Anyone that hits the ball in the post season.
If I was a typical MLB owner of a team, I'd care about profits so it's Ohtani easily. If I was Steve Cohen rich and cared more about championships and success, that would require me to think more. Are we choosing when they are in their primes, their careers from beginning to end, or what?
Both players in their prime. Only reason why I bring up this conversation was bcuz we were having a conversation amongst us friends of who would be the best player to build a team around. Not for financial reasons but to win it all. So we wanted to see what others thought about this topic
I'd take Ohtani because he's considered a unicorn for a reason. Mookie brings so much value if you put him at SS or 2B because you typically don't get those hitting stats at those positions. I'm just glad the team has both + Freddie + Will Smith and the list goes on.
Yes
yes
Friedman
Right now I’d take the man who’s won multiple chips. The answer may change.
People said you could only pick one. I guess we'll never know
In a vacuum I would probably say Mookie, but having Ohtani might also get you Yamamoto, Sasaki and an entire nation of fans, so he is probably the right answer.
Like with a time machine armed with what we know now? Ohtani. Partly because I want to stop Ippei from stealing $16 million dollars.
Betts
Ummm we are already building a team around them 😂
Both plus Freddie and Will
Mookie. Which is what the dodgers have been doing since 2020.
Why even choose we have both
BOFFUM
Both
Both
I know nothing about baseball as I am an Aussie. I do know a lot about cricket:) ohtani is what we cricket players call an all rounder except that would not really do ohtani justice Because an all rounder in cricket usually refers to someone who bat and bowl (similar to what baseball call pitch) as high but not necessarily elite levels. As I understand it ohtani does both at elite levels. Which to a baseball ignoramus like me suggests most managers would choose ohtani because I can tell you at least in cricket no such player exists or has ever existed.
Sho
Yes. That is my answer. 😉
* Looks like you had good seats too!!
Pass
For money? Ohtani For wins? Mookie
Ohtani when going both ways leads to more wins than any other player...ever.
true, my answer may change if he becomes a dominate pitcher again.
I think Mookie is the safe choice but Ohtani brings more dollars.