Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels. MLB Rumors (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
MLB Rumors: A favorite to land Shohei Ohtani?
When Shohei Ohtani reaches free agency — should he not be traded by the Los Angeles Angels first, which seems very unlikely at the moment — he’ll receive a contract north of $500 million, in all likelihood. Ohtani has earned that deal considering he’s a two-way talent, and a former MVP. Ohtani is essentially two players in one, and even if he has a down year in one department, can still hit like a home run king, or pitch like a Cy Young winner on any given night.
If the Angels let Ohtani get away, they don’t have to look far for a potential frontrunner. While the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and others are expected to make plays for him, the Dodgers are considered favorites to land Ohtani in free agency.
“It makes too much sense for them,” one executive said. “It’s a market that responds to stars, and he’s the biggest star in the game.”
The Dodgers cut about 15 percent of its payroll, according to Buster Olney, in preparation for the Ohtani sweepstakes. Keep in mind, this is not an organization struggling for money — this is one preparing for an influx of cash. Ohtani will cost quite a bit and be a taxing hit for the organization, but he will also bring in new fans from across the west coast and international waters. The jersey sales and exclusive TV rights deals along will be worth the half-billion it costs to acquire Ohtani.
LA’s offseason puzzled many around baseball: What did they know? A team typically known for being in the mix among the top free agents willingly let Trea Turner walk, and replaced many of their top talents in house.
Ohtani may stay out west after all, wearing Dodger Blue.