Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he rounds first after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Monday, July 17, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
With the Texas Rangers clinching their first-ever World Series championship on Monday night, Shohei Ohtani is officially a free agent as Major League Baseball’s hot-stove season kicks off.
The most sought-after, talismanic talent the game has arguably ever seen is here for the taking — a generational star whose prowess will span the generations, even if his pitching will be limited next season after undergoing elbow surgery. He’s still an elite slugger, one who projects to be once again one of the very best in baseball next season and beyond.
There should be a 32-team line waiting to offer him a deal, including his potentially former club, the Los Angeles Angels, who managed to squander six years of Ohtania and Mike Trout and not make the postseason once. But the Japanese product’s pricetag will likely scare a number of teams away — a deal that should easily top $40 million annually.
Here are what is believed to be the early suitors for the 29-year-old:
Potential Shohei Ohtani landing spots
New York Mets
As long as Steve Cohen is at the helm, the Mets will always be linked to front-line free agents given their financial prowess. But it’s not just money that’s fueling speculation linking Ohtani and the Mets.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on ESPN that the Mets are expected to be “front and center,” in the Ohtani sweepstakes.
“They have the most money and the owner who is most willing to spend. They should be there,” Passan said last week. “The question is, does Ohtani want to deal with all that being in New York entails? Because it’s a completely different life than what he has with the Angels…
“The idea that the Mets aren’t going to be front and center is silly. He’s arguably…
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