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Current free agent and former Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is a once-in-a-lifetime player to hit free agency in more ways than one. And, a new team has entered the sweepstakes for what may be the most anticipated free agent signing in the history of Major League Baseball.
And, a new team has emerged a serious contender for the two-way superstar, if a new report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal is to be believed. That team is the Toronto Blue Jays.
Here’s more from Rosenthal’s report.
“In the clearest sign yet of the Blue Jays’ interest in Shohei Ohtani, club officials are believed to have met Monday with the Japanese superstar at the team’s spring-training complex in Dunedin, Fla.
While a timetable for Ohtani’s free-agent decision is not known, the meeting would indicate that the negotiations with the Jays and other clubs are entering the final stages. The Dodgers, Cubs and potentially other teams remain in the bidding, and Ohtani reportedly has met with more than one club.
It is not known whether Ohtani is close to a deal with any team. His free agency remains shrouded in secrecy, and officials with interested teams say his agent, Nez Balelo, has warned them that leaking any details of the process would be held against them,” the article said.
Most of the focus has been around the Los Angeles Dodgers as the favorite, with other major-market teams like the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and New York Yankees also considered potential suitors for the best player of a generation, and maybe ever. In the last few days, a return to the Angels has seemingly gained steam as well.
Complicating the negotiations is the fact that Ohtani tore his UCL during the 2023 season, requiring Tommy John surgery for the second time. He’s one of the game’s most feared hitters, but a lot of his value comes from his starting pitching prowess, as well. Ohtani will almost certainly not pitch at all in 2024, and there is a chance he’s not ready for a normal workload on the mound in 2025. The level of pitcher he will be after the surgery is far from certain, as well.
The Japanese superstar has been on an absolute tear the last three seasons. He’s had two AL MVP’s sandwiched around a runner-up as he has racked up over 28 WAR in that time, by far the most in the league.
But, the Angels have never made the playoffs with Ohtani, despite also having all-time great Mike Trout as well. Many MLB fans want to see maybe the greatest all-around baseball player to ever live play some meaningful baseball. The Toronto Blue Jays would certainly give him an opportunity to do that.