ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 11: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani’s agent’s latest comments opened the door for him to test free agency. Here are three teams that should be ready to make a jump at the two-way superstar.
MLB spring training has begun, and the top free agents available this past winter have signed with their respective teams. For those who missed out on the likes of Aaron Judge or Trea Turner will now focus on the 2023 campaign, and for who will become available in free agency. Without a doubt, the top free agency available next winter will be Los Angeles Angels pitcher and slugger Shohei Ohtani.
With Ohtani set to become an unrestricted free agent, fans have to be wondering if he will actually hit the open market, or remain with the team that signed him from Japan in December 2017. Well, Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo of CAA Sports, spoke with the media on Monday and provided a vague answer as to whether Ohtani would negotiate a contract extension with the Angels in free agency.
“I’ve always been open to it,” Balelo said. “But there’s several layers to this one, and Shohei’s earned the right to play through the year, explore free agency, and we’ll see where it shakes out.”
So, the door to Ohanti exploring free agency is open. With that, fanbases of the other 29 teams will be envisioning the former 2021 AL MVP wearing a different uniform in 2024.
Here are three teams that should be preparing to make a push for Ohtani in free agency next winter.
Shohei Ohtani rumors: 3 teams already licking their chops for free agency, No. 3: New York Mets
If this past offseason has shown anything, it’s that the New York Mets will be in on nearly every top free agent, thanks in part to new team owner Steve Cohen.
Look at this winter, he was able to sign Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana, and David Robertson, while re-signing stars like Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz, and Adam Ottavino. Not to mention that even after those moves, they had a $315 million contract agreement with shortstop Carlos Correa before it was pulled due to concerns over an ankle injury. Even though he missed out on Correa, Cohen showed that he is willing to spend as much money as possible to bring in the best talent to help lead the team to their first World Series title since 1986.
If Ohtani were to become a free agent next winter, the Met should be considered one of the favorites. Imagine having Ohtani at the top of the rotation alongside Verlander and Max Scherzer (if he opts to stay with his player option), but also in the same batting order as Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor.