ANAHEIM – The Angels have officially extended a qualifying offer to two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani ahead of Monday’s 2 p.m. PT deadline, meaning they will be eligible for draft pick compensation if Ohtani does so this offseason signed somewhere else.
The qualifying offer is worth $20.325 million for the 2024 season, but Ohtani will decline it before the Nov. 14 deadline because he is looking for a long-term contract and is expected to earn more than the year. Ohtani, who is likely to win the AL MVP award for the second time in three seasons, is expected to receive a record-breaking contract in free agency.
Ohtani, 29, slashed .304/.412/.654 with 44 homers, 26 doubles, eight triples, 20 stolen bases and 95 RBIs in 135 games as a designated hitter in 2023. And in 23 starts on the mound, he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
But Ohtani tore his ulnar collateral ligament in an Aug. 23 start and underwent surgery in September that will keep him from pitching in 2024. However, Ohtani is expected to return to two-way status in 2025.
The Angels have made Ohtani’s return their top priority this offseason, but they have plenty of other gaps. They are coming off an 89-loss season and are currently looking for a new coach.