The Biggest Angel on the Market
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim traded six players before the trade deadline and yet failed to make the postseason this past year. The biggest question on every baseball fan’s mind is where two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani will sign next. There are many teams that could use this two-way star, but only a few have the money to spend on him. Ohtani is 29 years old and is in his prime, he certainly wants to be part of a championship ball club. Shohei won’t pitch during the 2024 season after tearing his right UCL. He’ll be a powerful designated hitter for whatever team he signs for, whoever it is they could be paying Ohtani 500 million dollars or more as many have predicted he’ll be the highest-paid baseball player ever. Here are three teams Ohtani could sign with during the offseason.
San Francisco Giants
During the past couple of offseasons, the Giants have missed out on several free agents. For example, Carlos Correa, and Aaron Judge, along with others have been close to signing with San Francisco but ultimately went elsewhere. Last month, the Giants fired their manager Gabe Kapler, and replaced him with Bob Melvin. Logan Webb is the only pitcher under contract with the Giants till 2025. San Francisco ranked 24th in offense last season. Signing Shohei would easily solve both of these problems. The Giants have not had a 30-home-run hitter since Barry Bonds in 2004. This team was only four games under .500 this past season, signing Ohtani would completely change the outlook of this entire team. This team desperately needs a star, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Giants will stop at nothing to acquire a star.
New York Mets
The Mets sold big at the trade deadline this past season, trading away two former Cy Young winners in Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Mets owner Steve Cohen may have the wealth to attract Ohtani to Queens, but with the team’s 75-87 record they posted during 2023, this could be a factor in Ohtani going somewhere else. The Mets have a huge desire to win, especially with the last few seasons being disappointing. With Ohtani, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo, Mets' new manager Carlos Mendoza could have one of the best lineups in baseball. Shohei and Kodai Senga could be a deadly 1-2 combination on the mound as well. It will certainly be hard to convince Ohtani to sign with the New York Mets, mainly with the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, two division rivals being two of the top heavy hitters in the National League.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The reality is really simple. Ohtani wants to play on a championship-caliber team and get paid a boatload of money. The Los Angeles Dodgers want to contend and have the money to spend. Remember now, if Shohei signs with the Dodgers, he’ll be staying in Southern California. Los Angeles always finds a way during the regular season as they clinched the NL West ten times in the past eleven seasons. However, when it comes to the postseason, the Dodgers always fall short. If they sign Shohei Ohtani the possibilities are endless for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani could end up being teammates with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and perhaps Clayton Kershaw if he resigns from the team. I personally would not be shocked if Shohei Ohtani became a Dodger.
