Angels Rumors: Every Team Linked to Shohei Ohtani in Free Agency So Far
While we wait for the 2023 MLB playoffs to wrap up in early November, speculation involving free-agent-to-be Shohei Ohtani has long captivated the baseball landscape. The Angels expect to be players in retaining the services of the superstar slugger (and eventual two-way player) for next season and beyond.
However, the club will face serious competition this winter.
Over the last few months, MLB insiders and experts have identified a handful of rival teams who expect to be all-in on Ohtani this forthcoming hot stove season. Here are the teams we know about so far.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have most often been linked to Shohei over the last year-plus. The club checks off a number of boxes for Ohtani including his desire to win and his rumored desire to stay on the west coast. LA has money and will have a need for a new DH next season.
Boston Red Sox
In recent days, Jon Heyman of the New York Post listed the Red Sox as "real threats" to swoop in and sign the three-time AL All-Star. More recently, reports emerged about Ohtani's distaste playing at Yankee Stadium -- something he would have to do often over the course of a mega contract. But big money and a chance to play for a likely more competitive team in 2024 would ease that concern.
Chicago Cubs
Heyman mentioned the North Siders as "a team that can afford" Ohtani this winter. But the front office may look to continue to build around the edges before spending big in free agency. They also need to decide whether they will offer center fielder Cody Bellinger the type of contract he and Scott Boras will be looking for.
New York Mets
If Shohei doesn't like playing at Yankee Stadium, maybe he wouldn't mind Citi Bank Field in New York? Mets owner Steve Cohen has a seemingly endless amount of money and is said to be "all in" on Ohtani this offseason. However, after spending big last offseason, the team Cohen's money fielded wasn't all that good. It was partially sold off by the trade deadline with the message that the front office may take a step back to rebuild for a year or two before going heavy on payroll again.
The Mets... feel like a long shot.
San Francisco Giants
On paper, the Giants are a match for Ohtani's services. They're a club with some veteran talent that needs some star power to push them over the edge. Last offseason, SF GM Farhan Zaidi was in on Aaron Judge. He was in on Carlos Corroa. And he'll certainly be in on Ohtani this winter. Don't sleep on the Giants.
Seattle Mariners
One of the more surprising candidates, the Mariners do make a lot of sense. The young club is flush with talent and just missed out on a second consecutive playoff berth in 2023. There's a need for superstar power to go alongside the star power that is Julio Rodriguez. Plus Shohei could really help bolster an intriguing pitching staff by 2025.
If former Angels exec Jerry Dipoto can convince ownership to pay up, Halos fans could end up seeing Ohtani punish his former ballclub for years to come.
