Shohei Ohtani Rumors: Insider Says Padres Have Second-Best Odds to Land Two-Way Sensation
Though the Padre roster currently boasts one of the best in terms of pure talent, their record this season is an indication that they need more in order to compete for a World Series title.
With Shohei Ohtani on the market this winter, the current Angel will be a highly sought after asset by everyone — and despite an injury ending his pitching for the year, the Padres might still chase the biggest fish the free agency pool has ever seen.
MLB insdier Jon Heyman thinks the Padres have the second-best odds to land the two-way superstar this offseason, only trailing the NL West-rival Dodgers.
2. Padres "There’s no way they can afford him,” one rival exec claimed. But of course, did anyone think they could afford decade deals for Xander Bogaerts, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado (twice)? Odds: 7-1
Even as GM AJ Preller has always had a pension for star talent in his tenure leading the Friars' front office, Ohtani is a talent the likes of which the team and MLB as a whole has truly never seen.
Currently leading the league in home runs and pitching to an ERA slightly over 3 with 10 wins and a strikeout rate among the league's best, the two-way sensation has been a treat to watch in 2023 as he's always been.
A UCL tear may have ended his pitching season, but Ohtani intends to continue batting this year even with a possibly fruitless attempt to take Anaheim to the playoffs.
The Japanese superstar could join forces with WBC teammate Yu Darvish on a roster littered with other All-Stars in Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and rising star Ha-Seong Kim.
Even with Blake Snell's impending free agency, San Diego may want to take the risk to signing both a pitcher and designated hitter all in one unicorn sized package.
Should his arm still remain healthy enough for his two-way play style, the Friars, like every other team, could use a talent like Ohtani's on their roster.
