How Badly do Texas Rangers Need Shohei Ohtani?
The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes continue to dominate the offseason – mainly because not much else is going on right now and also since the two-way star is destined to be the highest-priced free agent in MLB history.
Whatever team breaks the bank for Ohtani will add a generational talent, even with him not pitching in 2024.
The Los Angeles Angels and their new manager Ron Washington hope to keep Ohtani, but the competition is fierce. The Angels obviously feel they need Ohtani back, but do other clubs need him more?
MLB.com put together of the 11 potential teams that are probably landing spots and that Ohtani helps the most. The Angels checked in at 11th.
As for the freshly-crowned champions, the Texas Rangers are seventh on the list. The logic from MLB.com:
The defending World Series champs aren’t likely to just sit still, and they’ve been rumored to have interest in adding Ohtani, as was the case more than a decade ago. Of course, the Rangers did just score the third-most runs in 2023, and somewhat similar to the Dodgers and Padres, much of their right-now issues are on the mound.
Yes, the Rangers are in the market for pitching help. San Diego Padres free-agent closer Josh Hader has been rumored as top Texas target. Bringing back Jordan Montgomery is also a focus.
So with Ohtani just being a designated hitter – which is another Rangers’ position of need – how would he fit in the lineup, especially with what’s on the roster.
It’s fair to point out that Mitch Garver and Robbie Grossman, their primary designated hitters last year, are both free agents, and that importing a bat isn’t a bad idea – though they’ll benefit from a full season of Evan Carter, with top prospect Wyatt Langford on the way. Again, it’s not more urgent than pitching, but the Rangers have been full of high-impact Hot Stove moves over the last few years, haven’t they?
Suffice to say there’s a definite need for Ohtani by the Rangers, but MLB.com has six other teams needing him more. From No. 6 to No. 1, it’s the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants at the top.
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