Editorial Seventh entry
Los Angeles / 12.11.2023 21:19:34
Japanese Shohei Ohtani is officially in free agency on his way to signing the largest contract in Major League Baseball (MLB) history for his pitching and hitting skills. However, the amount of money would be taking a back seat for the superstar looking for a new team.
Ohtani’s main priority would be to sign with a club that, in addition to having the ability to pay him a historic contract, has championship aspirations most years, according to a report from The Athletic.
“It’s been very clear throughout the process that winning is going to be the most important thing of all,” Jim Bowden said on MLB Network Radio. “It’s not about having more money. It’s about having the best opportunity to be on the World Series stage more times than not.”
Even with all his talent, Ohtani has never appeared in a Major League playoffs as the Los Angeles Angels have not qualified since 2014, the longest active drought without a postseason.
It was recently reported that the San Francisco Giants would be making Ohtani their number one priority during this free agency, even if they have to pay more than the $500 million his contract could be worth. No matter how strong the bid, the Giants went 79-83 last season, the sixth of the last seven years that they finished with a losing record.
Under that perspective, the Los Angeles Dodgers would remain the favorites to sign Ohtani with an 11-year dynasty reaching the playoffs, winning the division pennant in 10 of them.
Another contender that has also shown its purchasing power is the current World Series champions, the Texas Rangers, who have a long-term project that could interest Ohtani and his representation.
2023-11-13 04:46:07
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