Shohei Ohtani Free Agency: Baseball Insider Believes Injury Won't Affect Angels Star's Market

Ohtani could still sign a massive contract in the offseason.

The unthinkable has happened as Shohei Ohtani tore his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow and will not pitch again this year.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said the team is getting a second opinion and it is unclear whether Ohtani will have to undergo the second Tommy John surgery of his career. For now, he's going to continue to DH.

For the Angels, it is a crushing blow that will all but end their push for a spot in the playoffs. For Ohtani, the injury could cost him hundreds of millions of dollars.

Before tearing his UCL, Ohtani was expected to sign a contract in the realm of $600 million as a free agent after this season. Now, there are questions surrounding his future as a pitcher, and thought that if he signs as a designated hitter, his value is likely deflated.

However, ESPN's Jeff Passan thinks Ohtani's value will still be record-breaking.

"I don't think it's going to impact it a whole lot," Passan said on

The Rich Eisen Show

. "Look, he was on track to get $600, $650, $700 million, I still think he's gonna get $500 [million]."

(Via

The Rich Eisen Show

)

Passan credited Ohtani's popularity as another reason why he brings value to an organization off of the field.

"Shohei Ohtani's the biggest star in baseball, it's not even close," Passan said. "So I think the ability to market him and supercharge the value of your franchise just by having him around ... I would put a pretty hefty price tag on that."

(Via

The Rich Eisen Show

)

Passan also pointed out that Ohtani could still pitch but in a different role.

"Let's say he comes back as a reliever," Passan said. "Are you telling me for a 10-year contract, 10-year deal, you're not gonna give him $50 [million], $100 [million] to be a closer when Edwin Diaz is getting $100 [million] to be a closer for 5 years?"

(Via

The Rich Eisen Show

)

There is certainly more to come in the Shohei saga, which will still likely end in the star signing a hefty contract.