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While Aaron Judge’s free agency was rightfully the predicted talk of MLB free agency in the 2023 offseason, when two-way wonder Shohei Ohtani parts ways with the poor-performing and disappointing Los Angeles Angels, there will be absolute chaos in the free market. Because who doesn’t want a strong ace, who can slug and catch in the outfield altogether?

In 2017, when Ohtani made the decision to leave the Fighters in Japan and get posted in Major League Baseball, where he held a long list of pursuers. Ultimately, along with the signing bonus to Ohtani, the LA Angels paid the Fighters a $20 million posting fee and signed the two-way sensation. Next year, when Ohtani enters the free market, chaos and bidding wars are inevitable. But according to recent rumors, triggered by USA Today Sports’ Bob Nightengale, the Padres plan on going all-in for Ohtani, adjacent to the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Will the Padres be able to compete with Steve Cohen’s wealth while bidding for Shohei Ohtani?

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After Ohtani’s two-year deal worth $8.5 million with the Angels came to an end in 2022, the Japanese born 2021 AL MVP received a $30 million offer – a $24.5 million upscale from his 2021 contract (almost a 500% increment). Now, one can only imagine how high teams will be willing to go as Ohtani prepares to sign a long-term contract.

According to USA Today Sports, the San Diego Padres are planning on going “all-in” to the Ohtani bidding war. Parallel to the Padres are the Mets and Dodgers.

Read More: Baseball Insider Makes His Bold Prediction for Two-Way Star Shohei Ohtani’s Upcoming Free Agency Post the 2023 Season

Once this news broke ground, the MLB world blew up. While some Mets fans boasted Cohen’s $17 billion net worth, others tried to predict the sum Ohtani would receive.

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As Ohtani prepares for the World Baseball Classic, he can rightfully imagine a large money bag coming his way one year down the line. The only question now is where will Ohtani finally land.

USA Today via Reuters

Will the Padres really go all in? Can they outmatch Steve Cohen’s New York Mets? Or will Ohtani decide to stick to the West Coast and switch sides to the National League? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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