Padres Rumors: Insider Expect Friars to Pursue Shohei Ohtani This Offseason

Will the Padres really splurge on yet another high-priced star?

Could Shohei Ohtani be teammates with Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Juan Soto next season? 

According to one highly respected MLB pundit, it isn't out of the realm of possibilities.

👀 pic.twitter.com/hHHEehlT5g

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 3, 2023

Jon Heyman of MLB Network believes that there are six teams -- in addition to the Angels -- who will be players for prized free agent-to-be Shohei Ohtani:

• Los Angeles Dodgers
• San Diego Padres
•  Chicago Cubs
• Texas Rangers
• San Francisco Giants
• Boston Red Sox

Including San Diego in this mix is somewhat interesting. As we've seen from the front office over the last five seasons, the Padres are not shy about splashing cash to improve their ballclub. 

Rumors have recently been swirling over the possibility that Cody Bellinger will be a target for the Padres this offseason. The Padres are desperately seeking another left-handed bat to give its highly-priced lineup some more balance. 

Ohtani certainly would fit the bill in a number of ways. The 29-year-old is currently in the middle of a season in which he's hitting .304 with 44 HRs, 95 RBIs, and 20 SBs. Even more impressive, the 3-time All-Star is 10-5 on the mound with a 3.14 ERA. This includes a whopping 167 strikeouts in only 132.0 innings. 

Top 9 free agents ranked: Strong in pitchers but possible positional help for both Mets and Yankshttps://t.co/gtso7ymFi3

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 2, 2023

A lineup featuring Tatis, Bogaerts, Soto, Machado, and Ohtani (in theory) is absolutely ridiculous. Even if Ohtani doesn't take the mound next season, you're looking at a group of five hitters that could be the most talented quintet in the history of the game. 

It won't be easy landing Ohtani. The Padres do have a ton of money tied up in other players. Soto surely wants an extension, and the Padres just inked Machado and Bogaets to long deals. Josh Hader and Blake Snell are also impending free agents. 

There's also the competition coming from other clubs -- namely the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. In the wake of the Julio Urias news, it's probably safe to say that LA won't be giving its left-handed pitcher a contract extension. This could in theory free up even more money for the Ohtani bidding war surely expected to occur in future months. 

With that said, San Diego can't be completely counted out. As has been chronicled earlier in the piece, we know the Padres have shown a willingness to spend money. Ohtani wouldn't have to leave the West Coast, and flights back home to Japan from San Diego are certainly more palatable compared to the likes of Boston, Chicago, Texas, and other clubs outside the Pacific Standard Time Zone.