Saturday, December 9, 2023

New York isn't a big enough town for both Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner

Well, here we are: 

We're about to learn which billionaire baseball team owner wants to be the Bull Goose Looney of New York City. The King Tit. The Golden Dong. The John Wick Dick... 

The man who signs Yamamoto. 

Sign him, and Hal Steinbrenner's Yankees can win it all in 2024.

Lose him to Steve Cohen's Mets, and the Yankees could lose their generational grip on the Big Apple.

It is owner vs owner, billionaire vs billionaire, swinging dick vs swinging dick...    

There is no runner-up. There is only one King, one master of the universe, with a Mount Everest ego and balls the size of weather balloons.

One owner.

One Yamamoto. 

Does Hal have what it takes to outbid Stevie? 

Soon, we shall know: 

Who is the REAL man? 

16 comments:

Carl J. Weitz said...

Hal has a dick? As Johnny Carson might say: " I did not know that!"

JM said...

Local sports radio is burning up with the Mets-Yankees battle over Moto. There's a lot of psychological baggage on display from Mets fans, who are tired of living in pinstriped shadow. And the hosts are debating whether or not Hal would take on yet another monster contract, added to Cole and Judge. Which he is going to have to do if we're to keep Soto, so that means two monster contracts at possible play.

And even that wouldn't be enough, really. We really need another reliable pitcher, since Yamamoto would only give us two: him and Cole. The checkbook has to be out for someone(s) else, like Monty and/or Snell. Both better than either.

Then Rodon can be the huge fuck-up he is and Nestor can get another shot if he doesn't break down.

Then there's the infield...

ranger_lp said...

Who says Moto takes the biggest offer? Just because the Mets offer more doesn't mean it's the BEST offer...long term...

Local Bargain Jerk said...


Does anyone think Prince Hal would ever engage in something as unseemly as a bidding war?

Lord Cohen: Well, Hal, shall we begin the process?

Prince Hal: Pish posh, fair knave. Please pass the clam dip and let's let the servants sort it out.

The Hammer of God said...

Being "the most glamourous franchise in team sports" carries with it the responsibility of signing huge contracts and making big waves, winning lots of championships. That's what the fanbase expects. And rightfully so.

Don't like big contracts? Don't want to spend big money? Don't want to make big waves and win bidding wars for star players? Then may I suggest that HAL sell the Yankees and acquire the Kansas City Royals. Then he may safely pocket his $35 million profit every year for the next century, whilst spending next to nothing on player salaries.

I did hear that the Moto Man prefers the Yankees, so HAL has that going for him. Maybe Cohen offers an extra million or two, but the Yankees still win the sweepstakes. But HAL should lay it all on the line, blow Yamamoto away with a can't refuse offer and get it done. If they blew away the Padres with four starting pitchers in a bid to win in 2024, I think they can afford to do it with money for Yamamoto.

And they shouldn't stop even if they get Yamamoto. They should go after other pitchers like Bauers, Hader, Snell. Go all the way in 2024, empty the wallet and go for broke like they did in 2009.

BTR999 said...

I love the idea of getting Hader, who would be our best closer since Mariano. Holmes is far too inconsistent for my tastes and will be a free agent after next season. Why not upgrade now?

Rufus T. Firefly said...

What Carl said.

Joe of AZ said...

Imagine Yamamoto AND Hader... Hello 2009

ranger_lp said...

Heard on the radio...

Ohtani signing with the Dodgers. You need to sit down first...no really, sit down...

10 years $700 million and they said with payment referrals...

This is not good for baseball. After this, Boros will ask for $80 mil/year for Soto when he hits FA.

Ohtani's average salary eclipses 9 teams' total salary. TOTAL SALARY.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Preach, Hammer, preach!

And yes, the Ohtani numbers are stunning. This is where the hype has created its own reality. The guy is constantly injured. They have no idea if he can ever pitch again, and he has never recorded an OF putout.

Their lineup now is pretty awesome, but it's also aging, and their rotation is fraying. They realize they have to win now. If they're not afraid to spend these bucks—however stupidly—we shouldn't be afraid to spend them in a much smarter fashion.

BTR999 said...

That’s…a lot of cheddar. It’s reported the money will be paid out over much longer than the 10 year contract duration.
No way Ohtani or any player is worth that. Not even close.

I knew it would be either the Dodgers or the Giants. And yes - this is not good for baseball. If Soto has any kind of year for us, Boras will ask for more!

Celerino Sanchez said...

After California taxes, Ohtani get about $200,000 dollars

JM said...

The Dodgers are nuts. Just look at the numbers. They don't support that amount of money.

Crazy, loopy, stupid. Hype victims.

Doug K. said...

This has to be one of the dumbest contracts of all time. He's a DH. He might never be a good pitcher again. I get that there is marketing that offsets some of the costs but the Dodgers already draw 3M+ so it's not like there will be that much of an attendance boost.

Bad for them. Bad for baseball and bad for us as it sets a higher bar.

Terrible!

AboveAverage said...

Doug 100%

Perhaps the Dodgers were able to put in place an agreement that Ohtani would be the future face of game day betting in Chavez Ravine.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Last year, the Dodgers drew over 3.8 million. Their park has a capacity of 56,000, which means they could theoretically draw another 700,000 fans on a season. Figure they spend $50 a pop on tickets, that's $35 million right there. Higher TV ratings, maybe a big new TV contract with Japan, a few World Series runs...yeah, maybe they could eventually make up that money. Or even more.

But it does rob LA of most of their flexibility. Plus, Ohtani may well have just had his greatest season ever. On top of that, he averages 28 games a year, lost to injury. He has never recorded a chance in the outfield, and for all we know, his pitching days may be over.

It all seems like more of a risk than a team as well-run as the Dodgers needs to take.