ESPN Nov 9, 2023, 7:10am ET4 Minute Read
Where is the best landing spot for Shohei Ohtani?
John Smoltz believes Shohei Ohtani will likely end up as a free agent with a team on the West Coast.
In case you’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps one of the new oversized MLB bases), Shohei Ohtani is a free agent.
The Los Angeles Angels’ longtime two-way star is easily the best player available this winter and is expected to make more than half a billion dollars. This despite having to undergo a second UCL surgery and not being available as a pitcher for the 2024 season.
Who will win this unique talent? Here’s everything we know, from how great Ohtani is and how much he could make, to his top contenders, and of course the latest news and rumors.
We’ll break it all down below – so keep checking back for the latest until and after Ohtani decides on his next big league destination.
Key link: Our complete free agency tracker
Latest buzz
November 9th
Is there a position change in Ohtani’s future?
Shohei Ohtani will serve as the designated hitter in 2024 and will attempt to pitch in 2025, returning to his role as a two-way player.
But could the outfield be his future?
Executives at general manager meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., have raised the possibility that Ohtani could move to a corner-outfield spot or perhaps first base at some point in his career. It could at least be a backup option if he’s unable to pitch at some point — and it’s another indication of the value teams place on Ohtani’s talent even as he recovers from his second elbow surgery.
Former Angels manager Joe Maddon had Ohtani take over some outfield duties during the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020, mostly to keep his body active while he recovered from surgeries, and often said he looked natural out there. Ohtani also made 64 appearances as an outfielder during his time in Japan. –Alden Gonzalez
November 8th
GM’s mother on Ohtani…for now
Jerry Dipoto’s loquaciousness has made him a favorite of reporters at gatherings like the general managers meeting held this week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
However, when it came to the subject of Shohei Ohtani, the Seattle Mariners’ president of baseball operations was remarkably succinct.
“He’s great,” Dipoto said simply when asked about Ohtani on Tuesday afternoon.
Asked later how his team would approach a possible prosecution, Dipoto said: “I won’t go there.”
Dipoto was hardly alone. Ohtani is the guy everyone wanted to ask about, but no manager was willing to talk about him publicly, partly due to requirements from both the league and the players’ union not to make public comments that could hinder a player’s market, and partly perhaps because of Ohtani’s desire to keep this as private as possible. –Alden Gonzalez
The 10 teams are on the hunt for Ohtani
It’s still early in the process, but most executives and agents who have spoken privately on the topic seem to agree on the ten teams likely to pursue Shohei Ohtani most aggressively – the New York Mets, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. But the level of interest will undoubtedly vary widely, and more surprise teams are expected to get involved.
At this point, few seem to have any idea what priorities Ohtani himself will set. One of the few who may know is Angels GM Perry Minasian, who helped establish Ohtani as a legitimate two-way force three years ago.
He wasn’t ready to give his hand.
“I know there is a lot of attention on the issue, and I understand why,” Minasian said. “Great player. We’ll see how the offseason plays out. We have our plan and we’re going to try to execute that plan and see where it all goes.” — Alden Gonzalez
Dodgers and Rangers suit Ohtani
Which teams do we think are the best fit for Ohtani? There is a strong case for the National League West champion Dodgers and the World Series champion Rangers.
Ohtani must reads
• How much is MLB’s ultimate unicorn worth? The Shohei Ohtani True Value Calculator
• “A Decade of Disaster”: As Ohtani’s free agency looms, Artes Angels find themselves at a crossroads
Why keeping Ohtani is the Angels’ best hope as they go all-in against big odds
Did Shohei Ohtani just have the best month in MLB history?
How to Appreciate a Unicorn: Ranking the Accomplishments That Make Ohtani MLB’s Ultimate Unique Star
“It looks like a fastball, and then it’s just gone”: How Shohei Ohtani has gotten better — yes, better — as a pitcher