Shohei Ohtani, the highly sought-after Japanese baseball player, is once again pondering his next career move. As the star player’s decision remains unknown, fans and teams eagerly anticipate where he will land.
Ohtani first entered Major League Baseball in 2017 and at that time, he narrowed down his options to seven teams. The shortlisted teams included the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs.
Interestingly, money was not Ohtani’s top priority in making his decision. Despite having the most international signing money available, the Texas Rangers did not make the final list. This suggested that Ohtani may have a preference for small-market and West Coast teams, as he also omitted the New York Yankees from his shortlist.
However, it’s important to note that the current regime of teams that tried to recruit Ohtani may have changed since 2017. Therefore, it remains to be seen if the same factors that influenced his decision in the past will continue to hold true.
One major factor that led Ohtani to join the Angels was his feeling of a “true bond” with the organization. Additionally, there is a belief that Ohtani would prefer to play on the West Coast, closer to his home country Japan.
Furthermore, Ohtani has expressed a strong desire to win in recent interviews. This desire to play for a winning team may be a significant factor in his decision, especially considering the Angels’ past failures to reach the postseason.
While the Dodgers’ track record of 11 straight postseason appearances may make them a possible favorite, Ohtani’s ultimate choice will depend on finding a team that will allow him to pursue his two-way aspirations in pitching and hitting.
Money will likely play a crucial role in Ohtani’s decision this time around. Interested teams are expected to compete fiercely in offering a historic contract. Previously, Ohtani’s value was estimated to range from $300 million to over $600 million, with speculation that $500 million could be the baseline.
However, Ohtani’s recent injury and subsequent surgery may impact his final contract value. Despite this, many still believe that he is worth $500 million or more. While the injury may give teams pause if they need immediate rotation help, they will still be expected to pay a significant amount for Ohtani’s long-term signing.
As fans anxiously await Ohtani’s decision, it remains to be seen which team will secure the star player’s talents and which factors will ultimately guide his choice.
