Jonez, interesting how much we track each other. I currently live 30-40 minutes from the Angels and I was thinking of watching them when Ohtani plays. I wish him success.
Its a bummer at multiple levels, because Ohtani coming to Seattle would've created a legacy of the best Japanese player coming to the Mariners that could've paid dividends well into the future. That legacy now ends with Ohtani's decision, and the Mariners are just a regular team. Young Japanese fans will no longer remember us as the Japan's MLB team.
Ohtani was crucial not only for our immediate contention but if you look at the long game.. it just wasn't meant to be.
I'll hope the Mariners can bring their game back up and contend for a WS, but I sense that we are 4-6 years away from that (and thats if we're aware enough to rebuild). I'm not prepared to track the Mariners too closely as they resist reality and continue to dwadle in mediocrity. I will follow team, I will be on SSI, but I probably won't be watching anymore.