MLB Free Agency: 4 Teams Who Can Land Shohei Ohtani

Finally a long awaited hyped MLB offseason is upon us. The reason for hype? Shohei Ohtani. A more impressive modern day Babe Ruth, he is the best player that has ever been available in free agency. From 2021-23, he was worth 28.5 WAR. Arguably, he had the single greatest three season stretch ever and can pick whoever he wants to give him the highest salary in baseball.

The Japanese supernova is likely to command a record breaking $500+ million contract. What may prevent that number from spilling into the $600 million range is his recent UCL surgery which prevents him from pitching in 2024. Still, his bat alone draws Bonds-like fear in opponents, so he should still break the earnings record set by former teammate Mike Trout.

Ohtani has made it apparent in the past that he isn’t interested in East coast teams or teams that can’t contend, so big spenders like the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves aren’t on the list. Neither are the Giants or Angels.

Here are the teams that have a shot to sign Ohtani based on fit and what they have to offer:

4) Chicago Cubs

In 2017, the Chicago Cubs were the only team not from the West coast to be a finalist. The Cubs, who were eliminated from 2023 playoff contention with a weekend to go, are an up and coming team that has already indicated a thirst for winning with their shocking hiring of manager Craig Counsell which severely weakens their top competition in the division in the Milwaukee Brewers. The surprising change made Counsell the highest paid manager in the MLB, making $40 million over five years.

The managerial change tells us the Cubs are going to be aggressive acquiring talent for a winning roster. Should Ohtani sign in Chicago, the Cubs could catapult to the top of their division for years to come. The Brewers are likely on the decline and the Cincinnati Reds posing as the only real threats in the future of a weak NL Central.

A recruiting entity that bodes well for the club from the North side is that they have Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki who has become a fan favorite for his steady production with his bat and his unique personality. In a game between the Cubs and Angels in June, video of Suzuki pretending to lure in Ohtani pregame surfaced, showing the two talking and sharing laughs. He even said prior to the World Baseball Classic, which Japan won, that he’d “Invite him [Ohtani]” pitching the Cubs as a future suitor.

If Shohei opts to sign somewhere outside the West coast, expect Suzuki and the Cubs are the ones to reel in Ohtani.

3) Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are interesting, and the dark horse that could sign the generational talent for a few reasons.

One, the Mariners are a team on the rise. They ended their 21 year playoff drought two years ago and were eliminated from contention with one game remaining this the season. He would join a lineup that already has young talent in superstar Julio Rodríguez who is locked up until 2029, outfielder Jarred Kelenic who was drafted 6th overall in the 2018 draft, and catcher Cal Raleigh who hit 30 home runs this season. There are also pitchers Logan Gilbert, and All-stars George Kirby and Luis Castillo. Castillo, their ace, is locked up until 2027. In terms of talent, the future remains bright even if the 2023 team just missed the playoffs.

Another reason for optimism is that Ohtani has ties to Seattle. “I actually spent two offseasons in Seattle, a total of, like, four months, maybe,” he said. “I've felt it's a very nice city.” Encouraging that Seattle is already an attractive place for the superstar.

The Mariners were even all-in on Ohtani in 2017, but he opted to sign with the Angels because they had Mike Trout and the Mariners were still far away from competing. Since then, the Mariners have surpassed the Angels, and could contend for the division and the playoffs for years if he lands in Seattle.

During the 2023 All-Star game, the home town Mariner fans let Ohtani know they want him in teal, chanting “Come To Seattle” towards the superstar at T-Mobile Park. Not to mention the Mariners have significant Japanese ties including a history of signing Japanese talent like Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle boasting the highest Japanese population for any city with an MLB franchise, and Nintendo having ownership in team.

They seem to check his criteria of having a talented roster, being on the West coast, and being a place that feels like home. The only question is will the Mariners offer the amount of money that Ohtani demands? If they do, it’ll be a franchise altering move for the better.

2) Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers just won their first championship in franchise history after posting a 94 loss 2022 and 104 loss 2021 season. How’d they do it? An aggressive front office willing to spend. They spent big giving a combined $685 million to Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Jacob DeGrom while also adding supporting talent like ALCS MVP Adolis García, Nathan Eovaldi, and a crop of young studs.

Per Jon Heyman, “They got a taste of winning, are unafraid to spend, and made their first cut six years ago. Word is they were ready to go for Ohtani at midseason.”

The Rangers can offer Ohtani both a winning team fresh off a title and a lot of money. Bonus, Texas has Bruce Bochy, the best manager in baseball, who will utilize him to maximum capacity as both a pitcher and a batter. Adding Ohtani to an already stacked Rangers team managed by a proven champion has to be an attractive option for the star.

1) Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei is leaving the Angels because they are incapable of making the playoffs. He also has indicated many times that he wants to be on the west coast. Looking at the west coast teams, the Giants, Padres, Angels, A’s, and Mariners, none of them can offer Ohtani what the Dodgers can. The Dodgers have made the playoffs 11 years in a row and aren’t showing signs of slowing down any time soon.

Generation talent is littered across the roster. Mookie Betts Freddie Freeman, and Clayton Kershaw (who many expect to resign in LA) have all won an MVP. They have other All-Stars in Walker Buehler, Max Muncy, Will Smith, Tony Gonsolin, and Chris Taylor. The Dodgers always seem to add stars at the trade deadline as well, consistently being one of the most aggressive teams in talent acquisition.

The Dodgers have stars everywhere, will be willing to pay Ohtani a mega contract, and are the closest team in proximity to the Angels in Anaheim where he appears to be comfortable. Los Angeles is obviously an international city, and has the third highest Japanese population among cities with an MLB team.

If winning is accurately reported as what Ohtani wants most, joining the Dodgers not only gives him the best shot at going to the playoffs consistently, but they can also offer ever other aspect that he reportedly wants.

Prediction: As far as I’m concerned, it’s a slam dunk Ohtani will be a Dodger on Opening Day.