Shohei Ohtani Pursuit Heats Up, Texas Rangers Drop Out
It sounds like the Texas Rangers are out on pursuing Shohei Ohtani.
The latest reports have bidding for Ohtani surpassing $500 million, with speculation that it could reach $600 million. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants and incumbent Los Angeles Angels are believed to be finalists.
Ohtani could make his decision as early as this week during the Winter Meetings.
On Friday, ESPN reported that the Rangers were among the teams that had moved on from trying to sign him after showing initial interest in the two-way superstar.
The Rangers were seen as a potential landing spot after spending hundreds of millions over the past two offseasons to upgrade their offense, signing shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien, along with starting pitcher Jacob deGrom. The Rangers also won the World Series last month for the first time in franchise history.
Rangers players celebrate after clinching their first World Series in franchise history.
Additionally, the Rangers don’t have a logical candidate to be an everyday designated hitter, seen as a must for Ohtani, who can only hit in 2024 due to a procedure on his torn UCL earlier this year. He intends to return to pitching and hitting in 2025, per his representatives.
Rangers general manager Chris Young didn’t address any Ohtani rumors when he spoke to reporters on Thursday and indicated that if the team needed financial resources to pursue a player, he could make the case to team owner Ray Davis.
But the Rangers already have $166.75 million committed to eight players going into 2024, per Spotrac.com. Additionally, the Rangers’ television payout for 2024 is in flux as Diamond Sports Group, the company that manages the Bally networks, is in bankruptcy and may drop some of its partners for next season as it tries to clear its balance sheet.
In addition to a glaring need for a consistent closer, the Rangers are also seeking more bullpen arms and remain in the market for at least one more starter.
Ohtani finished 2023 with a slash line of .304/.412/.654/1.066 with 44 home runs and 95 RBI, with his homers leading the American League. As a pitcher he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks.
Shohei Ohtani will be limited to hitting in the 2024 season, but intends to return to pitching in 2025.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Along with the Rangers, the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets appear to have pivoted away.
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