Fastball

Longtime Broadcaster Walks Back Original Report As Shohei Ohtani Doesn't Sign on Friday

Longtime New York Mets broadcaster Howie Rose caused a stir on Friday when he said there might be a Shohei Ohtani signing that day. There wasn't, and he walked back his report before the day was over.
Brady Farkas|
Longtime Broadcaster Walks Back Original Report As Shohei Ohtani Doesn't Sign on Friday
Longtime Broadcaster Walks Back Original Report As Shohei Ohtani Doesn't Sign on Friday

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Los Angeles AngelsLos Angeles DodgersChicago CubsNew York Mets

On Friday, New York Mets broadcaster Howie Rose caused a stir on social media when he said that he was hearing that there might be movement on the Shohei Ohtani free agency front.

At about 12:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon, Rose walked back his report. 

Operative terms….might and today. Hearing now it was premature. No misdirection intended. Well, at least people are paying attention.

As the day went on, Ohtani did not sign. By the way, Rose is not wrong. He didn't definitively say Ohtani would sign on Friday, but nonetheless, people were excited at the prospect of hearing news on the biggest free agent in baseball history.

The entirety of baseball's offseason hinges on Ohtani's decision. Teams are waiting to see what he does before moving onto other free agents and fans are waiting to see just how much money Ohtani nets in free agency.

The prevailing thought is that Ohtani will get somewhere between $400-$700 million, depending on the length of his contract.

The most unique talent we've ever seen, Ohtani just won his second MVP award (American League) in the last three years. Despite missing nearly all of September with injury, he still led the AL in homers at 44. In addition, he brought in 95 runs and stole 20 bases, all while posting a .412 on-base percentage.

The 29-year-old is already a two-time MVP, a three-time All-Star, a Rookie of the Year and a two-time Silver Slugger winner.

On the mound, he went 10-4 in 2023. Unfortunately, he won't be able to pitch again in 2024 because of an elbow injury but his bat alone will make him incredibly valuable to whoever he signs with.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are seen as the favorite with the incumbent Angels and Chicago Cubs also in the mix.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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