The ZDK Trade Proposal Extravaganza Thread To End All Threads #OhYeah

[Natsinpwc]

At the end of the day, he's a free agent. He will likely go where the money is the best. Particularly since his Japanese club gets a nice slice

He will go where he is comfortable--most likely a place with a decent size japanese american population and places to get authentic japanese food like LA or SF or Seattle.  Or a really big market like Chicago or NYC.  I think a couple have signed in Boston before.  They would have to outbid those markets by quite a bit. 

[Natsinpwc]

Not sure how accurate this is but the teams in on Suzuki ate Boston, NY, Seattle, Toronto and Texas.  No mention of the Nats.  Can't see them getting into a bidding war,

https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/blue-jays-persuing-seiya-suzuki-report

[zimm_da_kid]

Financially and roster wise, we're in a perfect place for him. We have plenty of payroll, we have an open spot for him, and we can afford to let him get used to big league pitching before placing any real expectations on him.

If the Lerners are really pinching money, then I say thats Rizzo's best bet. Offer 4 years, 60 million.

it would be more likely to be a longer, lower aav deal. think 6-7 years at $10M-$12M per

[Slateman]

it would be more likely to be a longer, lower aav deal. think 6-7 years at $10M-$12M per

No, it wouldnt

[JCA-CrystalCity]

No, it wouldnt

does the japanese team get paid based on total dollars?  what sort of rights do they have in the selection of the team that gets the player?

[Slateman]

does the japanese team get paid based on total dollars?  what sort of rights do they have in the selection of the team that gets the player?

20 percent of the first 25 million; plus 17.5 percent of the portion between $25 million and $50 million; plus 15 percent of the portion exceeding $50 million

The Japanese team has no rights once they post a player. They simply receive compensation if the player signs within the posting period.

[zimm_da_kid]

No, it wouldnt

Jose Abreu was considered one of the top 1 or 2 hitters not in the majors when he signed out of Cuba with the white sox.  He got 6 years/$68 million.  Suzuki isn't even the best hitter in his own league.

[Slateman]

Jose Abreu was considered one of the top 1 or 2 hitters not in the majors when he signed out of Cuba with the white sox.  He got 6 years/$68 million.  Suzuki isn't even the best hitter in his own league.

6-7 years makes Suzuki 34 or 35 when that contract ends. He aint gonna take that. 3-4 years gives him another shot in free agency to make more money. 4 years, 50 million.

The Cuban leagues are pretty medicore, particularly for pitching.

The Japenese players will sign shorter deals so they dont have to keep paying their Japanese team a portion. Tsutsugo signed for two years. Akiyama for three.

Suzuki is the reigning MVP. And Suzuki is better than Ohtani was in Japan (at hitting, anyway)

[zimm_da_kid]

6-7 years makes Suzuki 34 or 35 when that contract ends. He aint gonna take that. 3-4 years gives him another shot in free agency to make more money. 4 years, 50 million.

The Cuban leagues are pretty medicore, particularly for pitching.

The Japenese players will sign shorter deals so they dont have to keep paying their Japanese team a portion. Tsutsugo signed for two years. Akiyama for three.

Suzuki is the reigning MVP. And Suzuki is better than Ohtani was in Japan (at hitting, anyway)

abreu was also 27.

Suzuki also wouldn't get to free agency earlier because if he signed a 4 year deal, he'd still have two arb years left.  This deal is his chance at a big payday.  It will likely be a record for an international professional however.

akiyama and tsutsugo both bombed.  If anything, that should make suzuki nervous and want the longer security as there is very little track record of above average  NPB hitters coming over and even being average in mlb.  Buying out his arb years now sets him up nicely.

[Five Banners]

abreu was also 27.

Suzuki also wouldn't get to free agency earlier because if he signed a 4 year deal, he'd still have two arb years left.  This deal is his chance at a big payday.  It will likely be a record for an international professional however.

akiyama and tsutsugo both bombed.  If anything, that should make suzuki nervous and want the longer security as there is very little track record of above average  NPB hitters coming over and even being average in mlb.  Buying out his arb years now sets him up nicely.

Plus, the Nats can throw in a whole bunch of gear that says Suzuki on it. Maybe they even have the old batting helmet with the mouthguard on it since he seems to like that:

[Slateman]

abreu was also 27.

Suzuki also wouldn't get to free agency earlier because if he signed a 4 year deal, he'd still have two arb years left.  This deal is his chance at a big payday.  It will likely be a record for an international professional however.

akiyama and tsutsugo both bombed.  If anything, that should make suzuki nervous and want the longer security as there is very little track record of above average  NPB hitters coming over and even being average in mlb.  Buying out his arb years now sets him up nicely.

Suzuki is Juan Soto levels of talent in NPB. He is a better hitter than Ohtani. Im not sure why you're bringing up the two old guys.

[Natsinpwc]

Here are Suzuki's NPB stats; very impressive.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=suzuki001sei

[Slateman]

Here are Suzuki's NPB stats; very impressive.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=suzuki001sei

88 walks to 89 strikeouts and 38 homers? Yes please

[Natsinpwc]

88 walks to 89 strikeouts and 38 homers? Yes please

Too bad the Nats have no chance to get him.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Too bad the Nats have no chance to get him.

It is kind of amazing that, in 15+ years, they have not been a significant contender for even one straight-from-NPB player.  I'm not sure if they feel as comfortable with their scouting there as they do in the DR and Venezuela and even Cuba and Mexico.  That, or maybe they view the success rate not high enough to justify giving an MLB salary out.

[zimm_da_kid]

Suzuki is Juan Soto levels of talent in NPB. He is a better hitter than Ohtani. Im not sure why you're bringing up the two old guys.

YOU brought them up first as examples of NPB players signing short term deals

[Slateman]

YOU brought them up first as examples of NPB players signing short term deals

They're also the only NPB free agents to come to MLB under the new posting system, thats why I brought them. Comparing their performance is asinine.

Suzuki is, right now, a better hitter in NPB than Ohtani was. In going to say that again, so you read it again. Suzuki is a better hitter than the dude who came over and hit 46 homers in his first healthy season.

[Slateman]

It is kind of amazing that, in 15+ years, they have not been a significant contender for even one straight-from-NPB player.  I'm not sure if they feel as comfortable with their scouting there as they do in the DR and Venezuela and even Cuba and Mexico.  That, or maybe they view the success rate not high enough to justify giving an MLB salary out.

It makes sense when you account for how aboslutely dependant Rizzo is in scouting. And that his scouting department is bare bones. I'd bet money he doesnt have crap in the Asian leagues.

Natsinpwc is right. Barring a tremendous overpay, he isnt coming. But DC is an international town. Accommodating a Japanese player should be easy for this team. And we're sitting here contempating flushing 15-25 million AAV down the toilet in the hopes of getting a middling prospect, when we could spend that same money on a guy with far more upside.

[zimm_da_kid]

They're also the only NPB free agents to come to MLB under the new posting system, thats why I brought them. Comparing their performance is asinine.

Suzuki is, right now, a better hitter in NPB than Ohtani was. In going to say that again, so you read it again. Suzuki is a better hitter than the dude who came over and hit 46 homers in his first healthy season.

I wasn’t comparing their production either, I was citing them as the only real examples like you did. 

Tsutsugo did have a .910 career OPS in Japan
Akiyama had a .829 but was more of a contact speed guy.

Suzuki for comparison has a career .985 OPS in Japan

Nobody is arguing that those guys are in Suzuki’s tier.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

It makes sense when you account for how aboslutely dependant Rizzo is in scouting. And that his scouting department is bare bones. I'd bet money he doesnt have crap in the Asian leagues.

Natsinpwc is right. Barring a tremendous overpay, he isnt coming. But DC is an international town. Accommodating a Japanese player should be easy for this team. And we're sitting here contempating flushing 15-25 million AAV down the toilet in the hopes of getting a middling prospect, when we could spend that same money on a guy with far more upside.

The west coast has a huge built-in advantage, but it is frustrating when you realize that cities like Boston and Chicago have been able to lure Japanese FAs while DC has done bupkis.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The west coast has a huge built-in advantage, but it is frustrating when you realize that cities like Boston and Chicago have been able to lure Japanese FAs while DC has done bupkis.

IT's even more frustrating when you consider two of Boston's biggest successes were no posting fee bullpen pieces (Okajima, Tazawa). It's simply a matter of doing the work and having connections.  Tazawa wasn't even in the NPB.  He played for an industrial league team I think out of Shikoku.

[sixthree175]

IT's even more frustrating when you consider two of Boston's biggest successes were no posting fee bullpen pieces (Okajima, Tazawa). It's simply a matter of doing the work and having connections.  Tazawa wasn't even in the NPB.  He played for an industrial league team I think out of Shikoku.

Do any Japanese Americans live in the DMV at all? This area is a Japanese desert.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Do any Japanese Americans live in the DMV at all? This area is a Japanese desert.

It does feel that way, but this resource from Pew Research says DC is still top 10 in the U.S.--virtually tied with Chicago--while Boston doesn't even make the list.

[Slateman]

The point is we never even hear that we're in on a NPB player. It would be one thing if we heard we were a darkhorse team.

So if we're somehow a good team to take on salary for a middling prospect, then we're in position to over pay for Suzuki. Dont care what anyone says, there is no way he turns down 60 million and a shot at free agency after the 2024 season. Not if the Nationals put in an even half ass attempt to accomodate him.

[zimm_da_kid]

The point is we never even hear that we're in on a NPB player. It would be one thing if we heard we were a darkhorse team.

So if we're somehow a good team to take on salary for a middling prospect, then we're in position to over pay for Suzuki. Dont care what anyone says, there is no way he turns down 60 million and a shot at free agency after the 2024 season. Not if the Nationals put in an even half ass attempt to accomodate him.

He wouldn’t be eligible for free agency after 2024.  He would still have 3 arb years