Game On! Texas Rangers Free to Sign Shohei Ohtani After Angels Star Turns Down Offer

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani turns down a one-year qualifying offer to become a free agent.

The Texas Rangers have needs in their bullpen and could use a starter. But there’s one star they wouldn’t mind adding to the roster — and he’s now fully available.

As expected, Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star, turned down his one-year qualifying offer of $20.235 million, allowing him to fully explore free agency.

While the Rangers may not have been a serious candidate to sign the generational talent away from a American League West rival when the season started, much has changed. Texas is the World Series champion, armed with a roster of offensive talent and an owner who has shown a willingness to spend the past two offseasons.

Free agent Shohei Ohtani will be limited to being a designated hitter in 2024 / Abbie Parr-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday, a report from CBS Sports said that Ohtani was less concerned about geography and more concerned about going to a team that can be competitive and give him a chance to go to the playoffs, something he has not done in his Major League career.

Ohtani is, without question, the No. 1 free agent this offseason, even with the torn UCL that ended his season and led to the second Tommy John surgery of his career.

Ohtani and his representatives have made it clear that he is open to being solely a designated hitter in 2024, but is intent on pitching again once fully rehabbed from surgery.

The recovery of Bryce Harper may mitigate concerns that Ohtani can’t contribute significantly at the plate in 2024.

Harper had the same surgery in November of 2022 and made the fastest return of any position player in MLB history. He was back in the batter’s box in late May. He went on to win a Silver Slugger as a designated hitter.

Ohtani finished 2023 with a slash line of .304/.412/.654/1.066 with an AL-leading 44 home runs and 95 RBI. As a pitcher he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks.

For his career, he is a three-time All-Star, 2018 AL Rookie of the Year and 2021 AL MVP. He’ll find out later this week if he’s an AL MVP for the second time.

If the Rangers were to land Ohtani, he would join a lineup that was among the most powerful in baseball last season. Second baseman Marcus Semien and shortstop Corey Seager are the other two finalists for AL MVP.

First baseman Nathaniel Lowe won a Silver Slugger last season, and Semien and Seager both won one this year. Outfielder Adolis García was the AL Championship Series MVP, while Seager was the World Series MVP.

Rookie third baseman Josh Jung likely would have been a Rookie of the Year finalist if not for his thumb injury and catcher Jonah Heim set career highs in home runs and RBI.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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