After the conclusion of the World Series next week, Shohei Ohtani will officially become a free agent. While nobody is sure of the superstar’s ultimate destination, any team coming to the table will need to do so with deep pockets.
Widely expected to win the 2023 AL MVP Award, Shohei Ohtani’s 2023 season was nothing short of remarkable. In addition to leading the league in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS, Ohtani also went 10-5, sporting a 3.14 ERA on the bump. To make the performance even more mesmerizing, Ohtani achieved these results even after missing the final month of the season to injury.
this homerun is just a shohei ohtani shampoo commercial in disguise pic.twitter.com/tip8VCv4iL
— Raisa¹⁷ ⚾️💫 (@hunniesho) October 15, 2023
Expand Tweet”this homerun is just a shohei ohtani shampoo commercial in disguise” – raisa
Despite his obvious s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁, the Los Angeles Angels are not expected to be able to re-sign him. In addition to the obvious financial constraints posed by a superstar like Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have not made the postseason in a decade. As such, many expect Ohtani to gravitate towards teams with better chances of winning.
One team that has consistently been cited as a possible destination for Ohtani are the New York Mets. Despite a deeply underwhelming 2023 campaign, the Mets are still the richest team in baseball. Much of their free-spending ways trickle down from the mentality of owner Steve Cohen, a billionaire hedge fund investor.
Although Cohen’s Mets outspent literally ever other team in baseball, they still ended up with a 75-87 record, placing them 22nd out of 30 teams this year. According to MLB analyst Jeff Passan, pursuing a player like Shohei Ohtani might be the Mets’ best option for getting back in the good graces of their fans.
On the Mets and Shohei Ohtani, from @JeffPassan (via @JacobKaye_):
"I think the Mets are going to be right in the middle of things. They have the most money, they have the owner who is most willing to spend. Accordingly, they should be there. The question is, does Ohtani want to… pic.twitter.com/vax8GlBWxR
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) October 24, 2023
Expand Tweet”The idea that the Mets aren’t going to be front and center is silly.” – Jeff Passan
According to Passan, Cohen and the Mets, with as much cash as they have, cannot resist at least exploring Ohtani as a possible free agent. After the team parted ways with former GM Billy Eppler, a possible $500 million Ohtani deal may be his replacement’s first move.
Shohei Ohtani is guaranteed an astronomical sum
The first ever player to hit 100 or more RBIs while registering at least 100 strikeouts of his own, nobody needs to be convinced that Ohtani is special. Now, on the eve of his free agency, the offers that land will be extraordinary. Some estimates put the potential contract value to $500 to $750 million. Although Ohtani will not pitch until 2025, there are only so many teams who can write a check that size, and the Mets are one.
