Category: MLB

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: California Politicians and Shohei Ohtani Taxes

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Shohei Ohtani designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers is all smiles while he greets fans at the Dodger FanFest at Dodger Stadium on Sat Feb 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

California Politicians and Shohei Ohtani Taxes

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Shohei Ohtani, today the biggest baseball star in the world, signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 700 million dollars. The State of California Controller, Malia M.Cohen, who was born and raised in San Francisco, wants Congress to change the tax code to cap deferred payments. If this happens, Ohtani would owe more taxes to the State of California.

The two-way star contract with the LA Dodgers contains $680 million in deferred payments due from 2034 to 2043. California wants to tax Ohtani much more; however, if he is not living in California when he receives the deferred money, the State of California would not be legally allowed to tax Ohtani the 13.3% income tax plus 1.1% payroll tax in this State.

According to a calculation by the California Center for Jobs and the Economy, Ohtani can save $9.8 million per year in California taxes and $98 million throughout the contract with the deferred agreement in place. It was Ohtani and his financial team the ones who pitched the idea of the current contract structure.

This should not surprise anybody. California has one of the highest taxes in the nation, and California continue to lose residents, specially high earners who have moved to States with lower taxes, as well as corporate businesses who also relocated from the Golden State across the nation.

Not to mention the middle-class (or whatever is left of it) as they leave California for Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Texas. Funny with so many other problems in California, including a $68 Billion deficit, as a result of revenue decline in 2022-23 they are pointing at Ohtani’s contract.

William McBride VP of Federal Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation said this about the Ohtani and California tax debacle: “If Congress enacted restrictions on deferred income, it would put the state in a worse position in term of its ability to collect revenue from this high earners and star athletes, because they wouldn’t be here.”

By the way, Shohei Ohtani revenues extend beyond playing on the field, he also has other income from endorsements, commercial contracts and everything else for this international superstar, here and in Japan.

Let’s face it. Shotime is a worldwide star,and I for one, cannot blame him to look for his own interest, after all this is still America. Looks like Ohtani’s financial team outsmarted California politicians, and some in government are resentful.

Quote: Winning depends on where you put your priorities. It’s usually best to put them over the fence.” – Jason Giambi

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s could shutdown operations between 2025-27; Portland will pay for A’s to come if Vegas falls apart

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The Portland Diamond Project is pushing for a new ball park which include retail, housing, offices, and a new ballpark. Portland is willing to pay for the project which would be located at the Red Tail Golf Course on 163 acres in Redmond Oregon if things don’t work out in Las Vegas (renderings Portland Diamond Project)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Oakland A’s and John Fisher are considering shutting down their operations between 2025-27 and resuming operations in 2028.

#2 Part of the thinking is that shutting down the operations will save the team money and that they can also pay the $1.5 billion to finance the ballpark in Vegas for their share without having to pay for operations of the team and to the players for three years.

#3 The problem with the A’s shutting down for three years there will be 29 teams playing and the Players Union most likely will not go along with the idea of one less team which would hurt the players who are involved.

#4 The A’s have no plans where to play after the 2024 season, so far they’ve toured Salt Lake City, Summerlin, and Sacramento. they have not decided on a place yet.

#5 They went and paid a visit to Portland this week and the City of Portland wants a MLB team badly. Portland wants to purchase the Red Tail Golf Course and it would include a massive amount of land for retail, housing, a retail village, offices and a ballpark. On 150 acres. The A’s are obligated to Las Vegas but if they simply don’t have the money for their share of the construction costs or don’t want to come out of pocket Portland is willing to foot the entire bill for a MLB team like the A’s.

Join Daniel for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s trading with Giants for pitching

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Former San Francisco Giant pitcher Alex Wood seen here pitching against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sun Jul 16, 2023 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Wood was dealt to the Oakland A’s from the Giants on Fri Feb 2, 2024 for a one year deal worth $8.5 million plus $1 million in incentives. (AP News file photo)

A’s trading with Giants for pitching

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Oakland A’s traded with their Bay Area National League neighbor, acquiring two veteran pitchers, hoping they could help a promising but inexperienced pitching staff.

Left-handed Alex Wood was a free agent from the Giants until he recently agreed to an $8.5 million, one-year contract with Oakland with $1 million in available incentives. The veteran of 11 years in the major league ended with a 5-5 record, 4.33 in 12 starts with the Giants, and pitched a total of 97 2/3 innings.

Wood’s best season was in 2017 with the LA Dodgers when he ended with a 16-3 record, a 2.72 earned run average, started 25 games, and pitched 152 1/3 innings.

Ross Stripling was acquired from the Giants. In return, the A’s sent young minor league outfielder Jonah Cox an unspecified amount of cash. To clear room on the 40-man roster, infielder Jonah Bride was designated for assignment. 

Stripling (an 8-year MLB veteran) had a 0-5 record with a 5.36 earned run average in 22 games (11 starts)and a total of 89 innings pitched.

Big trade between A’s and the Giants? March 1978, the Athletics traded Vida Blue to the San Francisco Giants for Gary Thomasson, Gary Alexander, Dave Heaverlo, John Henry Johnson, Phil Huffman, Alan Wirth, and $300,000. Mario Guerrero was sent to the Athletics as a player to be named later to complete the transaction.

Spring Training 2024:  Oakland A’s pitchers and catchers’ first workout is on February 14 at Hohokam Stadium, Mesa. San Francisco Giants pitchers and catchers’ first workout is on February 15 at Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale.

“Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism, and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again”–Ernie Banks.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Tropicana in Las Vegas set to close, despite no real plan for site

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Tropicana Hotel and Resort are closing down business on Apr 2, 2024 after seven decades of doing business. The Hotel will clear the property for the construction for the Las Vegas A’s ballpark and plaza on the same footprint starting Apr 2025 (AP file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Tropicana in Las Vegas is set to close on April 2, and be demolished soon afterwards to pave the way for a new $1.5 billion ballpark for the Oakland Athletics, despite the fact that there is no realistic plan for a ballpark to be built.

A’s Owner John Fisher has still yet to provide any real renderings, and any actual logistical plan for said ballpark that Fisher plans to open for the 2028 Major League Baseball Season. Fisher may not even have the money to cover the costs for this project, and is even offering to sell shares of the team to help him pay for it.

The lack of realistic plans for a ballpark didn’t deter the Nevada State Assembly and Senate from passing SB1, which will provide $380 million of state money to Fisher’s project, nor did it deter Governor Joe Lombardo from signing it into law.

The lack of a realistic plan didn’t deter anyone in Major League Baseball either. Despite how maddening this entire process has been, the 29 other MLB owners unanimously approved the A’s move to Vegas on Nov. 16, and Commissioner Rob Manfred has continued to go scorched earth to get this done.

As if the lack of any real plans wasn’t enough of a hindrance, ‘Schools over Stadiums,’ a referendum that if passed would overturn SB1 and stop any public funding for the stadium, could appear on the ballot in Nevada this fall.

Las Vegas isn’t exactly buying this either. In his visit to Las Vegas last week, John Fisher was not met with much enthusiasm. That was made quite clear when Fisher and others from his entourage were introduced at a live event on the Vegas Strip.

“The Las Vegas A’s! We like the sound of that, right, Vegas?” hollered the emcee. “Yeah? Yes? Are we alive back there? Las Vegas, how we feeling?” she nervously said, as she realized the hype and excitement weren’t there.

“The master plan for the site will accelerate once the Athletics’ ballpark concept design is finalized. The overall development will create energy and vibrancy that previously hasn’t existed on this side of the Strip, adding additional excitement for the sports destination,” said a statement put out by Bally’s Corp., which owns and operates the Tropicana.

Despite there not being a plan, the plan will still go on. The Tropicana will close and be demolished, and the future of not just the site, but of the jobs of the people who work at the Tropicana, will be up in the air.

Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which represents many of the employees at the Tropicana, and which reached a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the Tropicana in November, will likely weigh in on today’s news.

This is an ongoing story……..

Stephen Ruderman is a MLB beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Tropicana to close April 2, 2024 to make way for the A’s

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Statement issued by Tropicana Hotel and Casino general manager Arik Knowles regarding the closing of the Tropicana to make way for the Las Vegas A’s new ballpark on the Vegas strip (below)

Photo: Outside of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino which will close on Apr 2, 2024. The construction on the site to clear the way for the Las Vegas A’s new ballpark will start on Apr 2025. (photo by the Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Tropicana to close April 2, 2024, to make way for the A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The second oldest hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, Tropicana, will close on April 2, 2024, and later in 2024, imploded to make way for a stadium for the A’s. Below is today’s official statement by the Tropicana Las Vegas.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: A look at the NFL Playoffs; Salt Lake City offering A’s permanent home if Fisher can’t afford Vegas construction share

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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid seen here before their game back Sun Sep 19, 2024 face each Sun Jan 28, 2024 for the AFC Championship at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie we open with the NFL and we’ll start with the AFC Championship The Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL are going at it with Pat Mahomes for the Chiefs and LaMar Jackson for the Ravens.

#2 The Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers match up for the NFC Championship. The Lions Jerod Goff the former Cal Bear and Novato resident has led the Lions to this long awaited moment after many years of losing the Lions have been the surprise of the NFC to get here. The 49ers who have a Pro Bowl team and who are the favorites to win it with Brock Purdy under center.

#3 During Wednesday’s Las Vegas A’s Coming out party at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Casino grand ballroom. The Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Mary Beth Sewald opened with welcoming the A’s to Las Vegas only to a murmuring from the crowd present. There were many business leaders, business people and some local baseball fans who paid $100 a ticket and up to hear what Sewald and A’s owner John Fisher had to say. It would seem they didn’t come away impressed.

#4 The City of Salt Lake City is offering up their hospitality for the A’s to not only play all of their remaining home games until the Las Vegas ballpark is built but in the event that Fisher cannot pay his share of the construction costs in Las Vegas he could move the team to Salt Lake City and the City will work on paying for the entire ballpark with City tax dollars.

#5 We’ve ask a number of staff reporters if Fisher can’t get enough money for the ballpark construct will he have no other choice but to come back to Oakland and work something out with City Hall and he does own half of the Oakland Coliseum property?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports on Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury Newsand Commentary: Jesús Luzardo only Major Leaguer born in Perú – Could be traded again

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (right) poses with former Oakland A’s pitcher Jesus Luzardo (left) at the A’s Fanfest 2019. Luzardo who now pitches with the Miami Marlins (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Jesús Luzardo only Major Leaguer born in Perú – Could be traded again-

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The South American country of Perú’s population is over 34 million people. Fútbol (Soccer in the US) is their number one sport. However, pitcher Jesús Luzardo, currently with the Miami Marlins starting rotation and previously with the Oakland A’s,(his first team in the major leagues), was born in Lima, Perú. His parents are Venezuelans, a country where baseball is undoubtedly the #1 sport.

Luzardo debuted with the Oakland A’s in 2019, as the A’s No. 6 prospect. Just a year before, On February 13, 2018, in his Alma Mater in Parkland, Florida, a former student killed 17 people when he opened fire inside the high school.

Luzardo intended to work out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on that same afternoon of the shooting, he was warned not to come by his former coach, and that might have saved his life. During the shooting, Luzardo stayed in contact with people inside the school via text messages.

In 2019, before the team reported to Spring Training, Luzardo was at the A’s Fanfest in Jack London Square; he sat with yours truly and Mauricio Segura at the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame and signed autographs for dozens of A’s fans who stood in line. He was gracious and pleased and, as he told me, “lucky to be in the major leagues”.

But a couple of years later, he wasn’t happy to be traded to the Miami Marlins, he felt good pitching here at Oakland and enjoyed the Bay Area. But the life of a major leaguer always included the possibility of being traded. He started with the A’s, went to the Marlins and he might changed uniforms soon again.

Luzardo could be traded again before this 2024 season gets underway. In his first years with the A’s, he did not pitch much and struggled, but it was a learning process like it is many times with young pitchers.

Last season, the lefty with the Miami Marlins ended with a record of 10-10 and a 3.58 ERA in 32 games he started. He owns an outstanding fastball, especially among left-handed starters who, in 2023, threw at least 200 fastballs; he ranked second out of 57. The southpaw was one of 12 pitchers to reach 205 strikeouts in 2023, when he fanned 208. Was that good?

Well, only Blake Snell,two-time Cy Young winner, Gerrit Cole, won Cy Young in 2023, Kevin Gausman, finalist this past seasons to win the Cy Young, Zac Gallen, who finished second in the NY for the Cy Young in 2023 and and Luis Castillo, still one of the best pitchers who will soon win a Cy Young.

Jesús Luzardo is maturing as a pitcher, and if the Orioles, Pirates, or anyother teams currently pursuing him could land a pitcher ready to be a winner at the young age of 26.

Oakland A’s Relocaton podcast with Daniel Dullum: Fisher says he’ll explore ballpark funding with the Las Vegas Community

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John Fisher owner of the Oakland A’s meets with the Las Vegas Community and later the news media at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas at Las Vegas A’s Coming Out Party (photo from the Nevada Independent)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast:

#1 Oakland A’s owner John Fisher said after Wednesday night’s Coming out party at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas that he’s working with Bally’s and GOPI on the renderings for the Tropicana ballpark instead of just releasing the renderings for the ballpark but also for the planned resort and wants both projects on the renderings

#2 Fisher said it’s going to take time to get the drawings up and measuring the ballpark on nine acres plus how and where the resorts will be designed.

#3 As far as financing for the ballpark the stadium costs will run $1.5 billion and Fisher said he would seek funding from his family and the Las Vegas business community. What makes Fisher think he could go to each Casino owner and business owner in Vegas and put enough money to help pay off the construction cost. He’s basically looking for investors and minority owners.

#4 Fisher was also asked at the Wednesday function where they’ll play for after the 2024 season. Fisher did visit Sutter Health Park in Sacramento and Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City last week saying, “We haven’t made a choice but hope to do soon.”

#5 Fisher did say that Summerlin is a terrific asset and a great place and it’s the Oakland A’s triple A affiliate home of the Aviators. No one from the players association has not said anything yet about it’s members playing in a minor league park but it’s been said the players are not in favor of playing in a minor league park.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s relocaton podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s owner John Fisher, spoke at Las Vegas event- -It is like the Groundhog Day movie; Fisher open to selling shares of team

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Mary Beth Sewald president/CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce (left) and Oakland A’s owner John Fisher (right) sit down to discuss the A’s move to Las Vegas and all the ballpark intangibles at the Fontainebleau Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Wed Jan 24, 2024 (photo by Nevada Independent)

A’s owner, John Fisher, spoke at the Las Vegas event– It is like the Groundhog Day movie

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The first public comments by A’s owner, John Fisher, were made on Wednesday in Las Vegas. He said he would like local Las Vegas investors to help him pay for the $1.5 billion A’s stadium at the Tropicana hotel-casino location on the Strip. Fisher spoke for about 20 minutes at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce event. He wants to find local capital for the stadium in Las Vegas as a way of engaging his new city.

He said about the Las Vegas park renderings: “We’ll release our renderings when you know when it’s the right time to do so,” Fisher said.

Speaking about the funding: “That will be funded mostly with equity from my family,” Fisher said. “We would like to consider raising capital, especially from local investors. That creates a connection to the community, and we’ve seen that with many other teams become a successful thing.”

Meanwhile, back in Planet Oakland, Mayor Shen Thao’s office told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “When the Athletics leave the Bay Area ahead of the team’s planned Las Vegas relocation, they won’t be missed.” The mayor’s office also responded to whether they have discussed extending the team’s Oakland Coliseum lease past its expiration date at the end of the 2024 season.

Leigh Hanson, Mayor Thao’s chief of staff, said no and then ripped into the club. According to the Review-Journal, Mr. Hanson added; “To date, they have not contacted or requested an extension to their lease from the Mayor, Alameda County, the joint powers agency that oversees the Coliseum, and perhaps most notably from the fans.”

The situation in Oakland is not a pretty one when businesses close because of a spike in crime as they continue to make news nationwide, not how they wanted. As a matter of fact, the A’s story is not as crucial for the city of Oakland as the current situation, where some Council Members are now asking the Mayor to declare a State of Emergency.

When a profitable In ‘n Out Burger restaurant announces they are leaving Oakland because of too much crime in their parking lot, the Mayor has a bigger problem than the baseball team.

From Amaury’s desk: This whole story is extremely close to the script of the 1993 Hollywood film: “Groundhog Day” where a cynical television weatherman relives the said day repeatedly. Actor Bill Murray’s predicament drives him to distraction until he sees a way of turning the situation to his advantage. Las Vegas has become Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s looking at Sacramento and Salt Lake City for 2025-27

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The Salt Lake City Bees are aiming to lure the Oakland A’s to play their home games at Smith’s Ballpark in downtown Salt Lake City for the 2025. Salt Lake City is on the list of temporarily homes for the A’s after the 2024 season. (photo by News Radio 102.7 FM)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, the A’s owner John Fisher and team president David Kaval this past week visited Sacramento’s Sutter Health Field and Salt Lake City Smith’s Ballpark. They will eventually decide where the A’s will play after the 2024 season.

#2 The other 2025 options are Summerlin, Reno, and of course Salt Lake City and Sacramento.

#3 Amaury, is the relationship between the A’s and the City of Oakland so bad that Fisher won’t even consider finishing up at the Oakland Coliseum despite Fisher owning half of the Coliseum property?

#4 How much opposition do you see the A’s and MLB getting from the Players union about having to play in a minor league park when they can finish up at the Coliseum.

#5 Amaury, no renderings and no money to pay for construction no word or latest word where John Fisher is on the renderings and construction money for the Vegas ballpark?

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com