Top MLB Insider Considers Dodgers as Shohei Ohtani Favorites, Predicts $600 Million Contract Despite Future Pitching Uncertainties

After a record-breaking season, Shohei Ohtani is set to create more history this offseason. His American League Most Valuable Player win on Thursday, won unanimously, is just the beginning. The only player to have an MLB record of achieving two unanimous AL MVP awards, baseball’s unicorn is set to continue the trend in free agency. Insiders initially predicted a massive $500 million contract, but?Jon Heyman’s prediction reveals a further hike.

Since the free agency period began, the entire MLB world has been eagerly waiting for news of the Japanese sensation’s new team. Fans expect the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and even the Los Angeles Angels to be in the race. But the Los Angeles Dodgers have always been at the top of the list.

New Predictions Changing Shohei Ohtani Pursuit Direction

After surgery for his torn UCL, the Japanese phenom’s 2024 season will be exclusively restricted to DH. However, even with his two-way skills limited, many predict this won’t hamper the offers Shohei Ohtani will receive given his status as an outstanding hitter. Even though some analysts predicted the value could go down to $400 million, a record-breaking contract was a given. However, on the other side of the spectrum, an offer exceeding $500 million was also thought to be impossible.

However, Jon Heyman takes a different route. The New York Post writer recently compared a few expert predictions and stated that, per him, the Japanese star can have a $600 million contract for 10 years. The deal will most likely be long-term, as Ohtani won’t join a team on a short-term basis. Though Heyman doesn’t really predict a team, he revealed interesting information.

While the 29-year-old Japanese pitcher seems to have a record number of offers this season, the Dodgers have always been the favorite. Even Heyman agrees, because the Dodgers have the facilities to sustain him, along with the financial stability to offer him the historic price that is predicted. Heyman even wrote, “…although, true or not, some speculate he knows where he wants to go before even hearing every offer.”

Since the pitcher has been mum about his choices, everything is an assumption. But, a few days back, another insider claimed something similar.

Shohei Ohtani Will Prefer Quality Over Anything Else

A club’s geographical location, time zone, ballpark, and climate are important factors in Ohtani’s free agency. But Jon Morosi believes differently. “He (Shohei Ohtani) is probably less concerned about geography and more concerned about the quality of the team he is going to.”

However, Morosi of course also believes that money will matter. But if it comes to the quality of the team, several will be out of the race anyway. Whichever way the winds blow, the Dodgers will still hold the top spot.

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Where Shohei Ohtani will land is still uncertain, but his free agency contract will surely be as memorable as his two-way skills.

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