The Los Angeles Dodgers went into free agency with a glaring need for starting pitching but their focus seemingly on Shohei Ohtani, who isn’t expected to take the mound again until the 2025 season due to recovering from a second Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani, coming off a second career unanimous American League MVP Award, is of course coveted by several teams. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is not permitted to speak about the two-way star, but is said to be determined to sign Ohtani.
There have been multiple reports of Ohtani also having an admiration for the Dodgers organization along with an affinity for remaining on the West Coast.
According to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, the expectation remains that the Dodgers will sign Ohtani:
“The Dodgers are still in pursuit of Shohei Ohtani, and all signs are pointing toward the Dodgers. I don’t know when, I don’t for how much. But all signs are pointing to Ohtani and the Dodgers finding common ground.”
Although the Dodgers have long been considered the favorite to sign Ohtani, there are some who believe that could end up working against the team’s favor. Ohtani already bucked conventional wisdom once when he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Angels after being posted to join MLB.
The San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and New York Mets have also been speculated as potential landing spots for Ohtani. Though, the Mariners’ and Mets’ confidence has reportedly decreased in recent days.
Shohei Ohtani wants private free agency
Ohtani is a notoriously private person, and he reportedly will not consider a team if reports of their meeting during free agency is made public.
That’s fueled a sentiment that the 29-year-old will simply announce a decision through his agent Nez Balelo, which could come before or during the Winter Meetings in Nashville at the beginning of December.
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