Shohei Ohtani's two-way dominance has broken the debate around how you determine who the MVP is. And a year from now, he's going to break the debate around how you determine a free agent's value, as he inevitably breaks the bank.
Ohtani had two injury-riddled seasons in 2019 and 2020, but sandwiched around those are some of the most historically-dominant seasons in MLB history:
2018: .285/.361/.564 with 22 home runs, 61 RBIs, .925 OPS ... 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 3.57 FIP in 51 2/3 innings pitched ... 3.8 combined WAR, per FanGraphs ... American League Rookie of the Year Award winner
2021: .257/.372/.592 with 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, .965 OPS ... 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 3.52 FIP in 130 1/3 innings pitched ... 8.0 combined WAR, per FanGraphs ... AL MVP Award winner
2022: .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, 95 RBIs, .875 OPS ... 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA and 2.40 FIP in 166 innings pitched ... 9.4 combined WAR, per FanGraphs ... AL MVP Award runner-up ... AL Cy Young Award fourth-place finisher
It's hard to project exactly how many hundreds of millions Ohtani will get, but if he does indeed hit the free-agent market before his age-29 season, the final number may start with a five.
We don't know that Ohtani won't be traded elsewhere during the 2023 season, but it feels pretty unlikely that his long-term future will be with the Los Angeles Angels. Regardless of where he finishes next regular season, here are five teams that could be legitimate suitors for Ohtani in free agency:
New York Mets
Could the New York Mets sign Shohei Ohtani?
(D. Ross Cameron/USA Today)
At this point, Steve Cohen has to be at the top of the list for all star free agents. And Ohtani would be the star free agent. The budget appears to be unlimited for the Mets, so regardless of all the major financial commitments the Mets have made in recent years, Ohtani's price tag likely wouldn't scare the Mets. Billy Eppler -- the Mets' general manager -- had the same position with the Angels when they signed Ohtani to initially come to America ahead of the 2018 season. It's unclear whether Eppler's presence would be a positive or negative, because ultimately the Angels weren't able to make the best of Ohtani and Mike Trout in Los Angeles during his tenure as GM. The guess here is that Eppler's presence wouldn't have much of an effect on Ohtani one way or another.
San Diego Padres
Could the Cardinals sign Shohei Ohtani after the 2023 season?
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
A.J. Preller is arguably the most aggressive general manager in baseball, and under owner Peter Seidler, the Padres have become one of the biggest spenders in the sport. After failed pursuits of Trea Turner and Aaron Judge, the Padres signed Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year/$280 million deal. Fernando Tatis Jr. is signed through 2034, but Manny Machado can opt out next offseason and Juan Soto will become a free agent after the 2024 season. That could open the door for the Padres to be players on Ohtani, especially if they're afraid he'll otherwise end up with a division-rival.
Seattle Mariners
Could the Mariners sign Shohei Ohtani after the 2023 season?
(Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today)
It would be shocking if the Angels traded Ohtani to the Mariners, especially given the pre-existing history between Jerry DiPoto and the Halos. But if he reaches the open market, the Mariners could be an attractive landing spot. Seattle has been a top landing spot for Japanese stars, both because it's in an ideal spot geographically and because Ichiro Suzuki became the greatest Japanese MLB player ever largely while playing for the Mariners. Ohtani could carry on that tradition in Seattle, while joining a team that seems set up for a sustained run of success after reaching the postseason in 2022 for the first time since 2001.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Could the Dodgers sign Shohei Ohtani after the 2023 season?
(Kim Klement/USA Today)
There's no indication that Ohtani hasn't enjoyed playing in the Los Angeles area, but rather that he's become disillusioned with the lack of team success that the Angels have had despite his individual greatness. The Dodgers would allow Ohtani to remain in a relatively familiar area, while joining a team that hasn't had a losing season since 2010.
San Francisco Giants
Could the Padres sign Shohei Ohtani after the 2023 season?
(Kiyoshi Mio/USA Today)
Over the past six years, the Giants have seen Giancarlo Stanton, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge and, most recently, Carlos Correa slip through their fingers. That's particularly troubling when you consider how much star power exists in the National League West, both with the Dodgers and Padres. While other teams -- such as the St. Louis Cardinals -- were considered here, no team in baseball needs to secure a superstar more than the Giants.
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