“Money Isn’t Everything” to Sign Otani
“It’s not all about the money.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and other teams have recently been mentioned as possible landing spots for free agent Shohei Ohtani, 29, this offseason.
MLB.com published an article titled “What’s the most important factor for free agent Ohtani?” on Wednesday, saying, “Ohtani is ready to make money in free agency. Some are predicting a $500 million-plus contract.”
However, MLB.com noted, “Money may not be the most important factor for the ‘two-hitting’ superstar when choosing a destination. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, winning is what drives Ohtani.”
As a pitcher in the regular season this year, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 games (132 innings). As a hitter, he batted .245 (151-for-497) with 44 home runs, 95 RBIs and a 1.066 OPS in 135 games.
He did not finish the season due to elbow surgery and will have to play exclusively as a hitter next year. He’s expected to return to the field as early as the 2025 season. 온라인카지노 He”s a lesser player than he was before the surgery. Still, he led the American League in home runs this year and is a legitimate MVP candidate.
The biggest free agent is a typo. He has reportedly received a trade offer from his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, but it’s unlikely he’ll accept it.
Ohtani is being asked for $500 million, even $600 million. He’s hard to come by. Moreover, as MLB.com and The Athletic point out, the Angels are likely to be off the table if the team has to be a contender.
Ohtani is more likely to choose a team with a shot at a World Series title than a team that can’t even make the postseason. The Dodgers and San Francisco, both big-market teams with plenty of fall baseball to play, have shown significant interest in Ohtani.
“The Dodgers are seen by many as the favorite team for ‘two-hitting’ star Shohei Ohtani,” MLB.com reported on August 8, “ESPN’s Buster Olney was told by a Dodgers club official that president Andrew Friedman is ‘obsessed’ with Ohtani. I’m told they’re going to give him their best shot.”
According to John Schea of the San Francisco Chronicle, Ohtani is the Giants’ No. 1 target this offseason. According to MLB.com, Shea and an agent called it a “natural fit.” San Francisco is on the West Coast, according to MLB.com.
The Giants have several options for Ohtani. Ohtani has played his entire major league career in Anaheim. Ohtani could decide to stay in California. Both the Dodgers and San Francisco could be a good fit for him.
First and foremost, the Dodgers are the National League West champions. San Francisco didn’t do well this year, but they won the West in 2021. Both teams will be in contention for the title next season, which means Ohtani can dream of playing fall baseball.
“It’s become very clear that winning is at the top of everything,” The Athletic’s Bowden said on MLB Network Radio. It’s no wonder Ohtani is leaving the Angels, who haven’t reached the postseason since 2014.
The Dodgers have been to the postseason for 11 straight years, making them the favorite to land Ohtani. “I think the World Series champion Texas Rangers could potentially be in the mix because they know how much Ohtani is invested in the team’s success,” Bowden said.
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