 |
| Shohei_Ohtani |
Meet Shohei Ohtani, a sensational free agent if you haven't heard of him before (or maybe you're living on one of MLB's new super-sized bases). The Los Angeles Angels dual-threat star is expected to command a contract worth over half a billion dollars over an extended period of time, despite not being among the best players available this winter. Though he will not be able to pitch until the 2024 season due to a second UCL surgery, there is still hope that he will return to the mound.
Who is snatching up this talent across generations? Here's what we do know: Ohtani is amazing and a remarkable player who makes waves both at the plate and on the pitcher's mound. Keep checking back for the most recent information on Ohtani's next major league destination as we compile all the scoop below.
A move for Ohtani's future whereabouts?
Shohei Ohtani will astonish us in 2024 as a designated hitter and on the mound, laying the groundwork for his 2025 comeback as a dual threat. In the upcoming years, be ready for an amazing show of Ohtani's abilities both at the plate and on the mound!
But will he play outfield in the future?
Following the general manager meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, there is conjecture that Ohtani may end up playing in the outfield in his later years, or he may find a corner outfield position. Even though Ohtani is moving away from his dual-threat strategy, it remains a viable fallback option in the event that he is ever unable to pitch. It also gives Ohtani's talent additional depth when taking into account the positions of other valuable teams.
In an effort to rejuvenate Ohtani's body from the demands of pitching, former Angels manager Joe Maddon gave him some outfield practice during the 2020 season, which was cut short due to COVID-19. Maddon frequently mentioned that Ohtani displayed natural abilities in the field. Ohtani played outfield in 64 games while he was in Japan.
Could Ohtani therefore be seen in the future policing the outfield grass? Time will tell, but it's obvious that his adaptability is a talking point when it comes to forming his exciting baseball career.
GMs are currently interested in Ohtani.
Jerry Dipoto was the talkative standout in this week's general manager meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, akin to a stenographer at a general manager's meeting. But the Seattle Mariners' president of baseball operations was brief when speaking about Shohei Ohtani.
When asked about Ohtani on Tuesday afternoon, Dipoto merely responded, "He's extraordinary." Dipoto gave a direct response when asked to elaborate on how his team might go about pursuing Ohtani: "I'm not going there."
It wasn't just Dipoto. Everyone wanted to know about Ohtani, but he wasn't willing to talk about it in public. This was partly because of league and players' union orders prohibiting remarks that might affect the player market, and it was also possible that Ohtani wanted to keep his aspirations for playing as private as possible.
Ten Teams Have a Strong Demand for Ohtani
Although it's early in the process, a number of executives and agents who have discussed it appear to agree on one thing: the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners are the ten teams most likely to pursue Ohtani aggressively. It is anticipated that a wide range of interests will exist among them, and additional surprise teams may join the fray.
As of right now, Ohtani has not made much of a public statement about his preferences. Perry Minasian, general manager of the Angels, who helped Ohtani establish himself as a genuine two-way player three years prior, is one person who might have an inside track. He had no desire to drop any clues.
"I know there will be a lot of attention on this, and I understand why," Minasian stated. "Outstanding athlete. Watch how the offseason plays out. We've outlined our strategy, are carrying it out, and are monitoring its progress.
0 Comments