MLB free agency remains somewhat at a standstill while teams wait for Shohei Ohtani to make decision. The two-way star is the most coveted free agent in MLB history despite not being able to pitch in 2024 because of his recovery from what’s believed to have been a second Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani nevertheless went into the offseason projected to be at the center of a frenzy due to several teams having reported interest. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been among those clubs, and most consider them the favorite to sign Ohtani.
The Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays have been linked to Ohtani at various points during free agency.
But according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mets, Red Sox and Rangers shift their focus elsewhere:
The Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, who were among the initial group of suitors, have turned their attention to other players, sources said.
The Dodgers, Blue Jays, Cubs and Angels are said to be finalists for Ohtani. The Giants, who reportedly are determined to sign one of Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto, may still be in the running as well.
The Cubs and Blue Jays being part of the sweepstakes appears to be somewhat of a surprise given reports of Ohtani preferring the West Coast, but his free agency has again been shrouded by secrecy.
When will Shohei Ohtani sign?
It’s believed Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo are meeting with teams this weekend at the Creative Artists Agency building, but when the 29-year-old will sign with a team is unclear.
Some believe it could be at the start of or during MLB’s Winter Meetings in Nashville this week, while others have projected Ohtani’s decision may come after the ballyhooed event.
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