In the offseason, when Shohei Ohtani becomes a free agent, it will start a bidding war unlike baseball or American sports has ever seen.
Even if Ohtani undergoes Tommy John surgery after tearing his right UCL, his future contract is expected to top $500 million. There will be a massive amount of big market teams involved, headlined by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have long coveted the superstar two-way players services.
Let's dive into some free-agent fits for Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani free agency fits: Los Angeles Angels
The Angels holding onto Ohtani at the 2022 and 2023 trade deadline signaled what was already obvious: that the team is going to make a significant push to re-sign Ohtani.
Ohtani will surely test free agency – he's only weeks away from hitting the market – and the bidding war is surely going to result in the richest contract in American sports history. So the Angels will have competition. A lot of it.
But the Angels seem determined to make a major push to keep Ohtani. But with the team on the verge of missing the postseason again, their chances of retaining him appear to be dwindling by the day.
Shohei Ohtani free agency fits: Los Angeles Dodgers
Before Ohtani's injury, the Dodgers were considered to be among the frontrunners, if not the frontrunner, for the two-way superstar when he becomes a free agent. They have the money to spend. They have the roster flexibility. They have the roster talent and overall playoff pedigree that Ohtani desires.
It remains to be seen just how much the injury impacts the Dodgers' pursuit of Ohtani, or if it will at all. But until I'm told otherwise, I'll have the Dodgers at No. 1 in my Ohtani fits as a free agent.
Shohei Ohtani free agency fits: Texas Rangers
I think this is the team that shouldn't be slept on in the Ohtani sweepstakes. They have swung big in recent offseasons with the signings of Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Jacob deGrom. They have swung big midseason trades to acquire Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery. And they have a lot of money to spend.
Given their rotation depth, the Rangers can be patient with Ohtani should he undergo Tommy John surgery. They can keep him in the lineup while he recovers and prepares to pitch in 2025. This is one to watch come the offseason.
Shohei Ohtani free agency fits: San Diego Padres
At the 2022 trade deadline, as the San Diego Padres had conversations to acquire Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals, they also tried for Ohtani.
The early sentiment is that the Padres may not have the money available to add Ohtani, but we have heard that before. Then they went and signed Xander Bogaerts to a $280 million contract while having Soto, Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado and a plethora of other stars on the team.
But this time feels a bit different, and the early thought is that San Diego may be an unlikely destination for Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani free agency fits: San Francisco Giants
This is a fit that I REALLY like. And the Giants figure to have the money available to sign Ohtani.
Just look at their pursuits of Carlos Correa and Aaron Judge last season. They were willing to spend well over $300 million for each and even agreed to a $350 million contract with Correa before failing his physical. They still need a star, have the long-term payroll flexibility to take on the magnitude of his contract, and are contending in 2023.
It would not be a surprise at all to see the Giants be aggressive for Ohtani in the offseason. It could lead to a Giants vs. Dodgers bidding war for his services.
Shohei Ohtani free agency fits: Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs make sense for Ohtani for a multitude of reasons. They have money to spend. They are in the first year of their new era with Dansby Swanson and others. They lack a superstar to headline the franchise.
At 67-60, they figure to be competitive in the playoff race this season and in future seasons, and that will surely appeal to Ohtani. But the Cubs, while potentially interested, appear to be an unlikely long-term suitor for Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani free agency fits: Seattle Mariners
Here's another team that could be REALLY interesting in the Ohtani sweepstakes. One of his childhood heroes, Ichiro Suzuki, built his Hall of Fame career in Seattle and Ohtani could follow in his footsteps.
The Mariners have an emerging young corps. They have a deep pitching staff, so if Ohtani does undergo surgery and isn't able to pitch in 2024, they have the depth to overcome it while he leads their lineup. They have plenty of money available. He has also gone on the record and said how much he likes Seattle and the stadium.
It could get too expensive for the Mariners' liking, but I wouldn't rule this one out. Ohtani clearly values being where he's comfortable and his comments suggest that Seattle is one of those places.
