Are we at the home stretch for the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes?
Perhaps.
Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported Friday, citing sources, “the negotiations are entering their final stretch with a small group of teams expected to meet with the 29-year-old and his CAA Sports representatives in Los Angeles this weekend.”
The Dodgers remain the favorites — not just because the team possesses the monetary means to land the two-way superstar, but he loves the West Coast, specifically Los Angeles and the team has all the makings to add value to an international sensation attached to baseball.
Ohtani looks to land a half-a-billion-dollar contract after this offseason. And rightfully so. He comes off of his second AL MVP season where he slashed .304/.412/.654 with a league-leading 1.066 OPS. He also earned his third All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger Award and the coveted Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.
Nicholson-Smith also adds the Toronto Blue Jays continue to decline comment on their involvement in the Ohtani sweepstakes, but we can’t rule out the Los Angeles Angels — the team he’s spent the last six seasons. The San Francisco Giants are also rumored to be in the running to land Ohtani.
It goes without saying any team could benefit from him.
After that, free agency will certainly heat up.
