Shohei Ohtani’s future and the speculation surrounding it has been one of MLB’s biggest storylines in 2023.
The two-way Los Angeles Angels superstar has been linked to the Giants by speculation in recent weeks, and another well-known sports personality continued to cause excitement on Wednesday.
“I think the Giants are in the game,” Chris “Mad Dog” Russo said on KNBR’s Murph & Mac show. “So I think there’s a possibility. I don’t think he’s going to Seattle. But I think so [Los Angeles] Dodgers are the leaders. They didn’t spend any money in last year’s off-season. I think the Dodgers are the leading team for him. Last time they took second place.
“I don’t think he’s going there [New York] However Mets [Steve] Cohen cannot be outdone. He will spend most of his money on him. I don’t think he will come here to New York. I think he will stay on the west coast. I don’t think the Angels will keep him.”
Ohtani has spent his entire major league career with the Angels since the 2018 season, and Russo believes the Japanese star would like to stay on the West Coast — just not in Anaheim.
That’s where San Francisco comes in, craving a superstar as the team looks to fight for championships once again. Bringing Aaron Judge home failed. The deal with Carlos Correa fell through. The Giants need a big name and Ohtani could fill a lot of criteria for them (and pretty much anyone).
“The Giants need a star, he would be a big star there,” Russo continued. “The Giants will be competitive in the second half. I don’t think they will make the playoffs. So I think they would be a big challenge for him. I think Dodgers one, Giants two. And remember, the. The Giants can’t just allow him to walk to LA.
“They need to put some pressure on the Dodgers and if nothing else, they up the ante. From that point of view, I think the Giants will be big players for Ohtani. I don’t think they will get him. I think at the end of the day he will go to LA but I think they would be players. I think they have a chance.
If the Angels don’t trade the two-way phenom by the Aug. 1 deadline, which they have reportedly not ruled out entirely, Ohtani will move to free agency next season’s break.
Then the real fun begins. But for now, fans can enjoy or try to enjoy all the speculation.
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