Star might be open to short-term deal

Latest Rumors and Buzz Surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s Free Agency

Nov, 14, 9:03 a.m.

Rumors have surfaced surrounding Mets target Shohei Ohtani, as he prepares for free agency after the season. Although Ohtani might command a deal of 10 or more years worth over $500 million, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reports that “people familiar with Ohtani’s thinking believe he might be open to a short-term deal with an exceedingly high average annual value,” a noteworthy shift from long-term contracts.

Nov. 13, 1:53 p.m.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Ohtani would be “very intrigued” about potentially playing for the Braves. This comes amidst swirling reports regarding the high dollar count Ohtani is anticipated to receive, with additional teams considering vying for his services.

Nov. 9, 3:28 p.m.

The Padres’ A.J. Preller indicated that they won’t rule out a pursuit of Ohtani, despite the long-term contracts that presently weigh on their roster. Thus, the interest in Ohtani seems to grow louder as the free agency period looms.

Oct. 31, 8:52 a.m.

Renowned for their aggressive approach, the Dodgers appear to be chasing Ohtani, but their pursuit could be complicated by the possible signing of another player, Japanese star RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Meanwhile, the Mets are expected to enter the mix with strong interest in Yamamoto and Ohtani, and are gearing up for substantial participation in the free agency frenzy.

Oct. 24, 2:50 p.m.

The Mets are expected to be heavily involved when the sweepstakes for Ohtani officially commence, as the team looks to cement their presence. At the heart of these discussions is the issue of long-term financial commitments and propensity for aggressively going after star players.

Oct. 16, 8:49 a.m.

Reports suggest that the Angels are “cautiously optimistic” about their chances to re-sign Ohtani, although the Dodgers are considered favorites. This, in turn, raises several questions about the future of Ohtani and the team dynamics at the Angels.

Oct. 12, 8:39 a.m.

Speculation abounds that Ohtani might opt for the East Coast this time around, following “industry chatter” that has suggested he would be “more open” to such a possibility during free agency. As such, dynamics are increasingly interesting with potential implications for various teams vying for his services.

Oct. 5, 3:42 p.m.

The Red Sox are seen as a “real threat” to sign Ohtani, exemplifying the complexity of the ongoing saga that sees potent contenders emerge as major players in the free agency market.

Oct. 5, 1:44 p.m.

Angels GM Perry Minasian reiterated his belief in the possibility of Ohtani staying with the team, signaling competing priorities and preferences in Ohtani’s impending decision-making. The tension around his decision and the competing interests in play guarantee an enthralling free agency period surrounding the two-way star.

Reference