Dodgers Rumors: LA Among 10 Teams With Best Chance to Sign Shohei Ohtani, Says MLB Insider
The winter of Shohei Ohtani has officially started, and the Dodgers are going to make every attempt to bring him to Los Angeles. LA has wanted him on their roster for some time now, and this will be another opportunity to make it happen.
Most in the industry agree that he will leave the Angels this offseason for a team that he sees can give him more of a chance to win each season. And the Dodgers seem to be the favorites to gain his services.
MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic has linked Ohtani to LA, in the most unsurprising connection of this early offseason.
“Shohei Ohtani just completed arguably the best single season of any player in MLB history. As a hitter, he slashed .304/.412/.654 and led the American League with 44 home runs while scoring 102 runs, driving in 95 and stealing 20 bases. He led the majors in slugging percentage and OPS. As a pitcher, he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 167 and walking 55 in 132 innings.”
Ohtani may not pitch in 2024 due to his torn UCL recovery, but his value still is worth the Dodgers going all in. His bat alone makes his signing worth it, and he should return to the mound in 2025 if all goes well.
He is in line to become the highest-paid player in the history of the sport, and there will be no shortage of suitors for his services. Ohtani is the most marketable player in the game today, and he is the biggest show in baseball.
“When he hits free agency, the industry expects the payday to be somewhere between $400 million and $600 million. Ohtani, of course, is a middle-of-the-order impact bat and a top-of-the-rotation ace, when healthy. His offseason right elbow surgery will prevent him from pitching in 2024 but he’s expected to be ready to DH by Opening Day, according to his agent, Nez Balelo of CAA. Ohtani’s injury status will lead to teams proposing complicated contracts with incentives, salary escalators and opt outs to protect themselves should he not return to full health as a pitcher. But make no mistake, he’s a unicorn and soon will be the highest-paid player in the history of the sport.”
Any team that signs him will be getting more than just a valuable player on the field, as he also brings in a ton of money from off-the-field endorsements. The Dodgers would love to bring in that extra money, and that is another reason for them to go after him.
While it remains to be seen if Ohtani will end up with the Dodgers, many believe that they have a great shot to land him. They check all the boxes that he has wanted over the years, and he would get to stay in the comfort of Southern California.
This is the offseason that the Dodgers have been waiting for, and fans are expecting Ohtani to be signed. LA needs to make a major splash this offseason, and this is exactly the one to help reenergize this franchise.
