SEATTLE — At some point, Shohei Ohtani will entertain the idea of talking about his pending free agency, and what it could mean to the finances of baseball.
But that didn’t stop others from pondering what could happen this offseason when perhaps the most unique free agent in history hits the open market.
Kansas City’s Salvador Perez and Toronto’s Jordan Romano both tossed out $600 million as a suggested number. Baltimore’s Austin Hays offered everything in his theoretical wallet.
Dodgers’ star Freddie Freeman simply called him a unicorn with a price that can’t be quantified.
“He’s going to get a lot of money and he deserves it. There’s no other player out there like him,” Atlanta’s Sean Murphy said Monday. “I don’t know what I would do if I was in the position of having to sign him, but he’s incredible.”
The biggest attraction of Tuesday’s All-Star Game is also the biggest prize this offseason. Ohtani’s contract with the Los Angeles Angels ends after this season, making the two-way star the desire of everyone in baseball with a checkbook big enough.
But quantifying how much Ohtani deserves isn’t simple or straightforward. How does one create a number that considers his value as a pitcher and a hitter?
American League’s Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Angels, speaks to media during All-Star Game player availability, Monday, July 10, 2023, in Seattle. The All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 11. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson
“I think when he first came over to Major League Baseball, a lot of people were really saying, ‘Hey, this guy’s gonna have to do one or the other. It’s really special the way you can do it right now, but how long can he do it?’” Philadelphia closer Craig Kimbrel said. “We’re still sitting here talking about him being best on both sides. It’s really fun to watch.”
Ohtani’s deal in free agency likely to exceed anything baseball has previously seen in contract value, either in total over the…
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