On Nov. 1, 2023 the Texas Rangers concluded the MLB season with their epic World Series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. While celebrations commenced in Dallas, the league turned its attention towards the free agency period, particularly on one player, whose entrance into free agency has caused countless, excited conversations among fans about his final destination. This player is of course, Shohei Ohtani, the two time American League MVP and three time All-Star, who is already considered to be one of the greatest players of all time due to his mastery in both pitching and hitting. The addition of Shohei Ohtani to any team would change its playoff trajectory greatly, resulting in multitudes of teams vying to sign him. However, there are certain teams at the top of the list for signing Ohtani, and they are worth analyzing in order to determine which one will ultimately end up with the best player in baseball.
The first potential winner of the “Ohtani Sweepstakes” is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers are no stranger to success, having had a winning record and multiple playoff appearances over the last ten years. Ohtani has mentioned that he would like to be on a team that wins, and the Dodgers would certainly meet the criteria. That, along with the fact that he would be joining a star-studded cast of MLB players, makes the Dodgers an extremely likely scenario for Ohtani. It is also rumored that Ohtani would like to stay on the West Coast, increasing the odds that the Dodgers would be his final choice. However, the Dodgers already spend significant amounts of money on the rest of their stars, resulting in Ohtani perhaps not being offered the payout he feels he deserves.
The next team that is looking to add Ohtani to their roster is the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have also seen success in past years, but they have struggled recently, finishing last in their division two years in a row. The team also resides on the East Coast, meaning Ohtani would have to make a move far from home, but to arguably a better franchise than the one he is currently a part of. Additionally, the biggest incentive would be the big money they are willing to offer Ohtani due to their freeing up of expenses. Ohtani would likely be given a significantly large contract and in baseball, money is the biggest motivator.
One of the most surprising teams that is seeking Ohtani as a potential player is the Chicago Cubs. This North Side Chicago team has the money to spend on Ohtani, but their franchise has struggled to see significant success since their World Series win in 2016. However, the team seems to be looking better after their years of rebuilding, and Ohtani could see this as an opportunity to become the answer to the team’s struggles. The Chicago Cubs are a historic franchise with many Hall of Famers, and the chance to have a big contract and to increase the team’s chances towards a World Series appearance might be an offer too tempting to refuse.
The final team that has the best chance at securing Ohtani is the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are seemingly the best match for what Ohtani can provide, as they have skilled veterans, but are desperate for a star-player to give them the momentum they need to make a World Series run. While the Giants haven’t seen much recent success, they are still a big market team that resides on the West Coast, a perfect match for Ohtani’s needs. The addition of a player with his skill might be what the team needs to turn the franchise around.
Overall, Shohei Ohtani has a bright future, with many exciting new teams looking to make an offer to secure him as their number one player. Ohtani is looking for a team where he can win and make money, and each team has potential to offer that. It is ultimately up to him to decide where he wants to go, so keep an eye on the market to see where he finally ends up. Although he is off the mound due to injury till the season after next, he will still make a significant splash on any team with his incredible hitting ability.
