Los Angeles Headlines 5 Most Attractive Ohtani Landing Spots
Shohei Ohtani is the most coveted player in the history of baseball. A guy who can hit above .300, with 40 home runs and 110 RBIs, is insane enough on his own, but factoring in the real possibility of a sub-3.00 ERA and 15 wins a year on his pitching side makes it unfathomable.
While the superstar did suffer an injury that ended the pitching side of his season, it isn't likely to be detrimental to that side of his career overall. With that being said, it's still expected that Ohtani will fetch above 50 million dollars annually come winter meetings, so where could he go?
I looked and predicted the five likeliest places for Shohei Ohtani to land by the start of next season!
The Los Angeles Dodgers
We all knew they'd be here. Los Angeles is always in competition for major superstars when they come on the market, and Ohtani is no different. Without a hard salary cap in play and the window for a World Series not getting any more expansive with the Braves, the Dodgers could be a likely team to try and get in on Ohtani. Not to mention that Ohtani wouldn't need to change states if he'd be okay with a bit more media attention; there's no reason not to go. The Dodgers can also win with their superstars, unlike the Angels.
A lineup featuring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith could be even more high-powered if they could grab the MVP. With the constant rotation of stars out of the Dodgers (Trea Turner, Manny Machado, Corey Seager, etc.), they have the money to make this move happen.
The New York Mets
Steve Cohen came to New York and immediately started spending money. If it were even remotely helpful, Cohen would spend everything it took to get it, including paying for Lindor, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander. While that plan might've failed (rather spectacularly), Ohtani is a one-person wrecking crew. Cohen has more money to spend than any other owner and has shown that during his short tenure as Mets owner. You better believe money will not be something that keeps Ohtani out of Queens.
The team's seemingly cursed aura might turn him away, and perhaps get PTSD from consistently blowing leads and wasting the careers of young stars. There is Pete Alonso, Francisco Alvarez, and Brett Baty, though!
The Seattle Mariners
Seattle is a very controversial one but very intriguing. With (likely) back-to-back playoff seasons behind them and less money spent than the other teams on this list, Seattle could be a threat. The main deterrent is the idea that Ohtani would want to avoid running to an in-division rival after leaving the Angels. But that hasn't stopped other stars like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Max Scherzer, who have all gone from one division rival to another.
With a young and talented lineup with Julio Rodriguez, JP Crawford, Ty France, and more, this Mariners team is looking to leap and not only dethrone the Astros in the AL West but also grab a World Series for themselves.
The Baltimore Orioles
This is not the AL East team you usually see on these lists, but now they can be. The Orioles currently sit with the best record in the American League and seem as if they will hold that title for years to come. Adley Rutschman looks like the next great catcher, Gunnar Henderson, who's a future gold glove at either shortstop or third base, and other top prospects in Grayson Rodriguez and Jackson Holliday lead the way as to why this team is so dangerous. All these guys are either under two total years of MLB experience or still in the minors.
The Orioles also have the 28th-highest payroll in the MLB, third from the bottom. They have money blow, so why not on a generational player who can help bolster your potential for years? Not to mention the incredible management and fanbase. Throw the money at him, Baltimore, lock up the young guys for cheap, and contend for a decade.
The New York Yankees
This team is required to be here for any free agency signing. Like the Dodgers, the Yankees have seemingly infinite money. This off-season, however, there is a lot more on the line. The Yankees have played in the best division in baseball for a few years now, but it is on a new degree of difficulty now. When one game below .500 is last place in your division, it's a sign of competition. The Rays, Orioles, and Red Sox also show no sign of getting worse, and the Blue Jays also seem as if they will still be solid for the foreseeable future.
After a very lackluster season compared to the World Series expectations prior, Brian Cashman is fighting for his career. If he wants to keep it, bringing in Ohtani is vital. You better believe Cashman will do anything possible to contend and keep his job, even if it means giving 60 million dollars annually to Shohei.
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