Several Major League Baseball teams have likely decided to stop pursuing free agent Shohei Ohtani, but that wouldn’t be the case with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The ESPN network said this on Friday.
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The Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Texas Rangers have reportedly dropped out of the running to become the newest recipient of the American League MVP award.
The clubs still in the running would be Queen City, the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Furthermore, it appears that the Japanese player is seeking a contract worth between $550 million and $600 million.
According to Sportsnet, a small number of teams are expected to meet with Ohtani and his representatives this weekend in California. Negotiations between the star player and the teams would be in the final stretch.
The 29-year-old has excelled at both bat and on the mound since joining the Angels in 2018. Ohtani is enjoying his autonomy after missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
Last year he batted .304 and had 151 hits, including 44 home runs, in 497 appearances. He also compiled a 10-5 record and a 3.14 ERA on the mound.
Ohtani will not be able to pitch in 2024 because he underwent elbow surgery in September. However, he should be able to take on the role of designated hitter starting next season.