Shohei Ohtani's Impending Free Agency is Talk of the Town at 2023 MLB All-Star Game
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani won't become a free agent until this winter, but his future is one of baseball's biggest talking points this summer.
Several players were asked about Ohtani's future destination ahead of the 2023 MLB All-Star Game on Monday, with some putting together full-on recruiting pitches and others holding their cards closer to their chest. The Los Angeles Times even compiled a list of more than a dozen players who shared why the 2021 AL MVP would be a good fit in their city.
Ohtani himself admitted to reporters that reaching the playoffs is becoming a more significant priority as his career progresses. That could complicate his future in Anaheim, as the Angels are on track to miss the playoffs for the ninth year in a row, especially with Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Brandon Drury and others projected to miss significant time due to recent injuries.
"Those feelings get stronger year by year," Ohtani said through his interpreter. "It sucks to lose. He wants to win, so it gets stronger every year."
A trade remains a possibility, with several columnists and talking heads across the MLB landscape tossing out the idea over the past few weeks, but Ohtani will have full control of where he plays in 2024 regardless.
At the end of his comically packed media availability, Ohtani was asked what he thought about playing in Seattle with the Mariners next season. The question was shut down, but Ohtani still smiled and shrugged.
Two Los Angeles Dodgers – catcher Will Smith and first baseman Freddie Freeman – were asked about the prospect of playing with Ohtani. While Freeman danced around the question in fear of tampering, Smith dove straight into praising the two-way superstar.
“That would be tight," Smith said. "I would love for him to come be a Dodger and help us win a World Series. Hopefully that works out.”
New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga said that he had spoken with Ohtani since they arrived in Seattle for the week, but that he planned on keeping the details of their conversation a secret. Senga did admit, though, that he would enjoy playing alongside another Japanese ace somewhere down the line.
"I think it would be a lot of fun, but we don't know where I'm gonna be, we don't know where he's gonna be," Senga said through his translator. "If our paths cross, that'd be great."
When asked if he would be recruiting Ohtani to New York, Senga joked that he was going to go see how Ohtani looked in a Mets hat.
Ohtani is the heavy favorite to be named the AL MVP again this season, as he already has 32 home runs, 71 RBI, six triples, 11 stolen bases, a .302 batting average and a 1.050 OPS at the All-Star break. On the mound, Ohtani is 7-4 with a 3.32 ERA, a 1.096 WHIP and 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
A blister will prevent Ohtani from pitching in Tuesday night's All-Star Game, but he will still bat second as the designated hitter for the American League.
First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on FOX.
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