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Originally Posted by bluejays
In what way though? No player wants fans to turn against them, that's for sure, but fan support at at let's say a 9 in LA vs. a 10 in across Canada isn't substantial to be on someone's radar IMO. Money wise, LA would have more lucrative marketing offers.
I did see one irresponsible report of why he wouldn't choose Toronto, saying it was because of the Canadian dollar rate. If I recall, all the sports leagues in North America pay in USD (but in this case the Jays earn their revenue in CAD). Really wouldn't affect an athlete, aside from perhaps being an advantage to earn USD but spend in CAD. So I'm not sure how that reporter dropped the ball.
Anyway, I'm not against having a generational talent here. I just think on the Jays there are a few gaps and with limited money to spend (as in any organization), spending it on one guy and expecting a championship when he's not THE missing piece, isn't the best way to spend. I do realize though, if not Shohei, then that money is off the table, but I'd rather them sign a few $25M guys to have an end to end lineup threat, especially considering the vacancies.
I also have a feeling we'll get some type of word today.
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I think, depending on a player, there's an aspect to having the country behind them and behind the team, not just a region, that could be appealing. Thr way the Jays are presented in this country by Snet and really all media, it's all in a positive manner, for better or worse. Also, there are millions more very casual baseball fans in this country because of the simple existence of the Blue Jays. They may not watch a game all season but because of the Jays they are aware of baseball.
Because of such widespread appeal, which goes hand in hand then of the way Snet delivers the Jays, and the huge diversity in intensity of the fandom levels, there isn't going to be the country turning against any player..if Vlad had the season he did as a Dodger or Yankee, he would be ripped apart in that market a lot more then he is here, on an overall level. Call in shows on the numerous sports radio stations, calls from the numerous media outlets in the market trying to get a story, vilify him, think he should be traded, and whip the fan base up against him. Here it's Snet, maybe some contrarian view by Steve Simmons and local Toronto media types, as the brunt of any negativity, which is a drop in the bucket to the fire you get from bigger media markets.
Same at a team level, when things are going well, and it's playoff time, the country gathers around the TV for wildcard games. Many semi casual Dodger fans dont turn on the TV until getting into a NLCS.
For a guy who's quiet and soft spoken, not needing a microphone in front of his face or spotlight on him but still appreciating wideapread support, I guess I can just see the appeal of having a generally positive fan base with a truly unique situation in that the fan base goes from coast to coast and spans all demographics, puts up decent TV numbers, and is fed by a national media environment they doesn't go overboard to pile on to the same extreme as large markets in the US, when things go south for a player or a team.
It's not for everyone or their personality and maybe it isn't for Ohtani, but for such a massive market the team and players are, at worst, relatively insulated from over the top criticism and are still lauded and recognized as stars with success.
As for FX rate assume it was a reporter worrying about the fact the team gets revenue (tickets and ad revenue and whatever Rogers charges itself) in Cad, when salaries are paid in US. Thats a Rogers problem, not free agents'.
Finally, I think you do whatever you can if Ohtani is at all interested. He's more than a generational talent, what he's done the last two years make him one of the most talented baseball players of all time, with years left in his career.
Does he put the Jays over the top? Nope..Him and Trout couldn't get the Angels anywhere by themselves. But because of his one of a kind status, the buzz you get, the other players around the league jumping on considering the Jays, with stable.ownership, a WS window open for a couple years, you take a very calculated risk that bringing him in and having him and his talents on the team, are going to pay off in other regards. Wining or getting to a WS is always the goal and it isn't guarateed with any roster or payroll amount, but Rogers paying half a billion dollars to give the team and country a better chance and bring the best player in baseball (by a mile) in his prime and the hope that it brings, is also pretty exciting and this would be a national, date I say International story if he decides to choose Canada.