Shohei Otani’s blind spots and unfounded worries after 2024

 <Tensho Sengoku pager's Reiwa interview record 0170>

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Kasugayama Castle, Narumi Shogunate

House: Uesugi Domanmaru Kagetora

Observation record inspection: page

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◆Tensho 451 December 11th

“Shohei Otani’s blind spots and unfounded worries after 2024”

Otani is the first free agent in MLB history to sign a 10-year, long-term contract with the Dodgers worth over 100 billion yen, but I would never be happy to let him go. For six years with the Angels, he worked with a dedicated interpreter to let the team go through his own selfish ways, and despite injuries and surgeries, he built up a two-way track record, and his popularity continued to rise as he approached free agency negotiations, but Otani-dono was a prestigious player. I chose the Dodgers. In addition to friction with the Angels' upper management, he also has to undergo a second surgery on his elbow and will have to wait until 2025 before he can pitch again. There is a good chance that he will undergo a third surgery during the 10 years of his contract, and the Dodgers are unlikely to show signs of poor batting, so even during a long slump, they will need warm support. If he can maintain the same performance as he has over the past six years, I think there will be a return on investment for the team, but realistically it will depend on whether he can continue to put up numbers while coexisting with injuries. The American League's hitting department in 2023 was lackluster, but the National League's rankings were typical of a major league. It should be seen as a difficult task for Otani-dono to win the MVP award. The Dodgers have a designated hitter as their mainstay, but friction between players in the rotation may disrupt teamwork and prevent them from achieving the desired victory. Even if Otani returns to pitching in 2025, there is no guarantee that it won't have a negative impact on the main pitching staff of the Chu-Go-Nichi. It is expected that disharmony within the team will spread, and there will be cases where the team is left in limbo until the postseason. It is said that Otani's recovery from hybrid surgery on his right elbow will be faster than traditional surgery, but if he undergoes Tommy John surgery again, his playing career may be over. Even though there was such a big risk, Otani must be happy because the Dodgers team was able to sign him with the highest contract in history, which he didn't even know if they would be able to pay. Even if his right elbow were to fail in the process, 100 billion yen would still be in his pocket. He is promised an income of more than 1 billion yen per year during his lifetime, even if more than half is taken away by taxes.

I am truly envious. Even if he doesn't play baseball, Otani seems to have good business sense, so he should do well. However, even if he wins, it will be difficult for him to hang his hat. It is unclear whether Otani has the hungry spirit of Ichiro or Nomo, so the only way to know whether he will captivate the fans without getting drowned out by his wealthy lifestyle is to watch his play and see.

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