Jul 1, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) on deck before hitting against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels
(New York, NY) – Ok Mets and Yankees fans, brace yourselves for this one: the top free agent in baseball is reportedly open to the idea of playing down south.
In fact, a report from Jon Morosi of the MLB Network states that Shohei Ohtani is “very intrigued” about potentially playing for the Atlanta Braves.
It would certainly amount to a case of the rich getting richer in terms of on the field performance – if Ohtani did in fact decide to join the Braves, who have won back-to-back NL East titles. But it might not translate to the most riches off the field for Ohtani. Many around baseball have predicted the once-in-a-generation slugger/pitcher will secure a contract of up to 10 years at an annual salary of around $50 million.
And that’s despite the fact Ohtani won’t pitch this coming season, after being forced to undergo Tommy John surgery (the second of his career) on his pitching elbow.
Atlanta, which has a well-documented trend of locking up its biggest stars before they hit free agency, may not be comfortable inking Ohtani to such a massive contract. That said, this is Ohtani we’re talking about – so the Braves may be willing to move heaven and earth to make it happen.
Still, right now Atlanta’s highest player is first baseman Matt Olson, who is slated to be paid $22 million in 2024 – a far cry from $50 million, if that’s the average Ohtani eventually gets. It’s reasonable to expect Altanta’s payroll will exceed $200 million next year, given the deals already handed out to Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies – but bringing in Ohtani would take it well beyond that number.
MLB free agency began Monday, November 7, so Ohtani is free to sign with any club at any time. Yankees fans dreaming of signing him – and Mets fans now deathly afraid of seeing the other worldly star in a Braves uniform – can now only wait with baited breath.
