The Japanese slugging and pitching star is widely regarded as the best player in the sport at the moment
Shohei Ohtani is undoubtedly the top free agent this MLB offseason, with the now former Los Angeles Angels player looking likely getting the biggest contract of all time, but he has given a strict rule to the many teams salivating to sign the American League MVP.
Among them are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who according to bookmakers are the favorites to sign him in free agency. One report already mentioning that Chavez Ravine‘s team not only wants the 29-year-old but would also be willing to put together a mega trade with the Angels for their other star player, Mike Trout.
However, now that Ohtani has his pick of the bunch, he is in a position to impose conditions on his future contract. According to information from David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, he has reportedly told the Dodgers, and others, that he wants a long-term deal.
The #Dodgers likely won't be able to sign Shohei Ohtani with a short-term deal.https://t.co/1cJyTryHIr pic.twitter.com/HWhTFdg1CF
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) November 28, 2023
Vassegh mentions that Ohtani would only be willing to sign a short-term contract with the Angels, but if any other team wants to go after his services then they should give him a 10-year contract at a minimum with some options to opt out.
Many speculated that Ohtani, who turns 30 next season, could potentially sign a $500 million mega-contract, but his recent injury and elbow surgery will keep him from pitching until 2025 and has called into question whether he can continue to be a pitcher/hitter going forward.
The Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Rangers are all reportedly in the mix for Shohei Ohtani. 👀 pic.twitter.com/3bnwD0YfGm
— theScore (@theScore) November 27, 2023
Ohtani’s numbers in 2023
The pitcher/slugger earned his second MVP, also unanimously as he did in 2021, after posting an incredible campaign on both sides of the ball.
As a pitcher he threw 132 innings, 167 K’s, 10-5 record and 3.14 ERA and as a hitter, he led the American League with 44 home runs, with a .304/.412/.654 line and led all of MLB in OPS, OPS+ and WAR with 1.066, 184, and 10.0 respectively.
Shohei Ohtani is the only hitter in MLB history to walk eleven times in a span of three games. 🦄pic.twitter.com/IlQJQMOR2M
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) November 28, 2023
Ohtani beat out the Texas Rangers‘ World Series champions Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, who were voted second and third.
