The Ohtani Sweepstakes: Where Will the Two-Time AL MVP Land?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The baseball world has converged on the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for the annual Winter Meetings, and the question on everyone’s mind is: where will the two-time American League Most Valuable Player, Shohei Ohtani, sign? The two-way superstar, who won’t be able to pitch until 2025, is generating a lot of buzz in the industry as teams await his decision.
The prevailing belief throughout the offseason has been that Ohtani would head to Dodger Stadium, a mere 30 miles up I-5, but sources indicate that the Blue Jays and Angels are still firmly in contention for his services. There’s also been speculation that Ohtani could remain with the Angels, despite previous assumptions that he would seek a team with a better chance of winning.
“Ohtani is a creature of habit who has enjoyed his time in Anaheim, so as long as the money is there, the idea of staying put is appealing to him,” said one source.
The uncertainty surrounding Ohtani’s status is affecting other aspects of the market, as free agents like Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman are unlikely to sign until Ohtani makes his decision. The trade market is also being impacted, with All-Star slugger Juan Soto generating interest as the Padres consider moving him.
While many expected Ohtani to sign during the Winter Meetings, it now seems that his free agency could extend beyond next week.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, another sought-after free agent, is also expected to wait until next week before signing with a Major League club. Yamamoto, a three-time Sawamura Award winner and Pacific League MVP, has a number of teams vying for his services and is expected to land a contract north of $200 million.
Erick Fedde, who pitched for the Nationals from 2017-22, is also nearing a return to the Majors with a two-year deal worth at least $5 million per season. There are multiple teams interested in Fedde, as he looks to continue his career in the MLB after a successful stint in Korea.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who spent the past two years with the Yankees, is also drawing interest from several teams. The versatile player is expected to land a multi-year deal and could fill various roles on his next club.
The Winter Meetings are in full swing, and as the Ohtani sweepstakes continue, the baseball world eagerly awaits the resolution to one of the most anticipated free agency decisions of the offseason.