Signing Shohei Ohtani May Cost Mets This Much

The New York Mets aren't averse to spending money, but the cost to get Shohei Ohtani should be high.

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen doesn’t seem to have a problem with spending money.

But, does he have a limit? Shohei Ohtani may test those limits, if the New York Post’s salary predictions are any indication.

Recently the Post consulted two baseball salary experts to get a gauge of what they believe the two-way superstar will get on the open market. Post writer Jon Heyman also provided his prediction.

Two of them predicted Ohtani would get the record deal most believe he’ll get, despite his UCL injury and continued recovery, which will likely only make him a hitter in 2024.

One expert has Ohtani getting a deal below Mike Trout’s record $426.5 million, 12-year deal. But that’s only because the expert believes Ohtani will sign a 10-year, $400 million deal that will come with an opt-out after the 2024 season so that he can test the market again for the 2025 season, when he should be able to pitch.

Another expert projected Ohtani’s deal at 11 years and $535 million, which would surpass Trout.

Heyman predicted that Ohtani would a 10-year deal worth $600 million, which would net Ohtani $60 million per year.

That’s big money no matter how you look at it. But Ohtani may be the one player that’s worth it.

Ohtani and his representatives have made it clear that he intends to contribute only as a designated hitter in 2024 but will want to resume being a two-way player in 2025, once he is fully recovered from the UCL.

That means the Mets would hopefully be getting the hitter and pitcher that made him a three-time All-Star, the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2021 AL MVP.

Ohtani finished 2023 with a slash line of .304/.412/.654/1.066 with 44 home runs and 95 RBI, with his homers leading the American League. As a pitcher he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks. He was awarded with is second American League MVP award earlier this week.