In case you’ve got been dwelling below a rock (or maybe one in all MLB’s new supersized bases), Shohei Ohtani is a free agent.
Far and away one of the best participant accessible this winter, the longtime Los Angeles Angels two-way star is anticipated to command greater than half a billion {dollars}. And that is regardless of present process a second UCL surgical procedure and being unavailable to pitch for the 2024 season.
Who’s going to land this once-in-a era expertise? Here is every little thing we all know — from simply how nice Ohtani is and the way a lot he might make, to his high suitors and, in fact, all the newest information and buzz.
We’re stuffing all that under — so maintain checking again for the newest, up till and after Ohtani chooses his subsequent large league vacation spot.
Key hyperlink: Our full free company tracker
Newest buzz
Nov. 9
Is a place change in Ohtani’s future?
Shohei Ohtani will function a chosen hitter in 2024 and can look to pitch, and thus return to his function as a two-way participant, in 2025.
However might the outfield be in his future?
Executives from the overall managers’ conferences in Scottsdale, Arizona, have introduced up the opportunity of Ohtani transitioning to a corner-outfield spot or maybe first base ultimately in his profession. It might at the very least be a fallback choice if sooner or later he’s now not in a position to pitch – and it is one more indication of the worth groups place on Ohtani’s expertise at the same time as he’s recovering from his second elbow process.
Former Angels supervisor Joe Maddon had Ohtani take some outfield reps throughout the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020 principally as a option to maintain his physique energetic whereas he recovered from surgical procedures and infrequently mentioned he appeared pure on the market. Ohtani additionally made 64 appearances as an outfielder throughout his time in Japan. — Alden Gonzalez
Nov. 8
GMs mum on Ohtani … for now
Jerry Dipoto’s loquaciousness has made him a favourite with reporters at gatherings like the overall managers’ assembly, happening this week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
On the subject of Shohei Ohtani, although, the Seattle Mariners‘ president of baseball operations was noticeably concise.
“He is superior,” Dipoto mentioned, merely, when requested about Ohtani on Tuesday afternoon.
Requested later how his group will method a possible pursuit, Dipoto mentioned, “I will not go there.”
Dipoto was hardly alone. Ohtani is the man everybody wished to ask about however no government was prepared to speak about publicly, partly due to mandates from each the league and the gamers’ union to not make public feedback that would hinder a participant’s market, and partly, maybe, due to Ohtani’s need for this to play out as privately as potential. — Alden Gonzalez
The ten groups in sizzling pursuit of Ohtani
It is nonetheless early within the course of, however many of the executives and brokers who talked in regards to the topic privately appear to agree on the ten groups that may in all probability be essentially the most aggressive in pursuing Shohei Ohtani — the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Pink Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. However the diploma of curiosity will undoubtedly differ vastly amongst them, and different shock groups are anticipated to leap into the combo.
At this level, few appear to have a lot of an concept what Ohtani himself will prioritize. One of many few who may know is Angels GM Perry Minasian, who helped launch Ohtani as a respectable two-way drive three years in the past.
He wasn’t prepared to tip his hand.
“I do know there’s going to be loads of consideration on it, and I perceive why,” Minasian mentioned. “Nice participant. We’ll see how the offseason develops. We have our plan, and we’ll attempt to execute that plan and see the place every little thing goes.” — Alden Gonzalez
Dodgers, Rangers a match for Ohtani
Which groups do our consultants suppose match up greatest with Ohtani? There are sturdy arguments to be made for the Nationwide League West champion Dodgers and the World Sequence champion Rangers.
Ohtani must-reads
• How a lot is MLB’s final unicorn price? The Shohei Ohtani True Worth Calculator
• ‘A decade of catastrophe’: As Ohtani’s free company looms, Arte’s Angels at crossroads
Why going all-in in opposition to lengthy odds is Angels’ greatest hope of retaining Ohtani
Did Shohei Ohtani simply have one of the best month in MLB historical past?
Learn how to respect a unicorn: Rating the feats that make Ohtani MLB’s final distinctive star
