Shohei Ohtani, the two-way baseball star, is getting close to deciding on his MLB free agency choice. Ben Nicholson-Smith from Sportsnet says he’s in the “final stretch” of talks. Ohtani is expected to meet with a few teams in Los Angeles this weekend as part of the negotiation process. Nicholson-Smith said the Los Angeles Dodgers are leading the way to sign Ohtani. However, the Cubs, Blue Jays, Angels, and Giants are also in the race.
Ohtani’s choices are narrowing. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox are now looking at different free agents.
At 29, Ohtani spent his entire six-year MLB career with the Angels. Since the team didn’t make the playoffs during his time, he’s exploring other opportunities for a better chance to win.
Even without playoff appearances, Ohtani has demonstrated himself as the best player in baseball. It’s especially in the last three seasons. As a powerful designated hitter and skilled starting pitcher, he earned his first AL MVP title in 2021. Further, he secured the second spot in 2022, trailing behind New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. He also hit a record-breaking 62 home runs.
In 2023, Ohtani reached new highs with a .304 batting average, .412 on-base percentage, and .654 slugging percentage. Leading the AL, he hit 44 home runs, scored 102 runs, had 95 RBIs, and made 20 stolen bases.
Pitching-wise, Ohtani started 23 games, finishing with a 10-5 record, a 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
Unfortunately, a torn UCL in his throwing elbow cut short Ohtani’s 2023 season, ruling him out for pitching in 2024. However, he will still be available as a hitter, maintaining his status as one of the league’s best players even in that specific role.
Despite the uncertainty around Ohtani’s pitching future due to the torn UCL, he’s anticipated to secure the largest MLB contract ever. Passan states the deal is expected to surpass the $500 million mark, possibly nearing $600 million.
If signed, Ohtani has the potential to impact the franchise that secures him significantly. Currently, one of the five teams in the running will soon acquire one of the most substantial additions in baseball history.
Also read:
