MLB Legend Shuts Down Padres' Rumors of Adding Shohei Ohtani

Will San Diego be able to afford the two-way superstar?

The 2023-2024 MLB free agency class will be one of the most loaded classes in a long time. There will be a ton of players that can impact a new team from many different positions, but none will be more impactful than Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. 

When Ohtani becomes a free agent, he will be the most sought-after free agent of all time. Many teams, including your San Diego Padres, will push their chips to the table to land the Japanese sensation. The only question is if they can pull off signing a talent like Ohtani, considering they currently own the third-highest payroll in baseball. 

MLB legend John Smoltz appeared on Flippin' Bats with Ben Verlander, and Verlander asked if he believes the Friars could land the 2021 AL MVP. Smoltz doesn't see that happening but wouldn't count them out. 

"I don't see how, but how many years ago when they went all in and made some big moves, and it didn't work? They're redoing that again; they're basically saying we want to be relevant, we want to beat the Dodgers, we want to win the World Series, and they're putting their money and assets on the field to do that. I don't see how it's possible to be a bidder for Shohei Ohtani." 

The two teams in front of the Padres for the highest payroll are the New York Mets and the Yankees. Oddchecker says the Friars have the fifth-best odds to land Ohtani at +500, tied with their division rivals Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The teams in front of the Padres for the highest payroll have the two best odds to land Ohtani with the Mets at +200 and the Yankees at +400. 

I don't know how or if the Padres could snag the 28-year-old this offseason, but you can't count them out. They've done the impossible before and will look to prove that again this off-season.