New York Yankees Get Signal That One Team Unlikely to Sign Ohtani

Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the game's top free agent and the New York Yankees figure to be a serious suitor.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the biggest free agent on the market this offseason, whether he remains with the Angels the whole season or the Angels trade him.

But what about the Angels re-signing him? The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal — who also works for Fox as their in-game reporter — had an opinion when he spoke with the Flippin’ Bats podcast.

“I don’t think there’s a chance they’re (Angels) going to sign him,” Rosenthal said.

That would certainly be music to the ears of New York Yankees management if the franchise intends to make a serious push to sign Ohtani when he hits the market.

The Yankees are a team with deep pockets and an ownership group that doesn’t mind taking big swings. Last offseason the Yankees made outfielder Aaron Judge one of the game’s richest players with a nine-year, $360 million contract.

In fact, the Yankees are paying eight players at least eight figures in 2023, and that includes two players that are on the injured list — Judge and pitcher Carlos Rodón.

Looking ahead to next year the Yankees, per Spotrac.com, appear to have room to maneuver. In spite of the fact that the Yankees have six players making $15 million or more, their estimated payroll for 2024 is just under $190 million, with the luxury tax threshold set at $237 million.

Of course, the room between the payroll and the luxury tax threshold may not be enough to lure Ohtani, who some expect to become the game’s first $60 million per year player.

But if the Angels can’t re-sign him, that’s one less competitor for the Yankees to out-maneuver.