It has been heard through the grapevines that the impending winter meetings of MLB are all set to feature the biggest deals of the season. Shohei Ohtani’s free agency deal, in particular, might even emerge as the biggest one seen in professional baseball to date. In what seems to be a behind-the-doors meeting, the Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as favorites in the contest. While some teams have recently distanced themselves from the race, others are striving to catch up with the Dodgers.

Ohtani has been predicted to receive a deal worth $500 million or more by MLB insiders As other teams are slowly making their way into the race, most recently the Texas Rangers and one other AL team (reportedly Boston Red Sox) dropped out this week, per an MLB insider. However, there are a bunch of teams that are still going strong in the Shotime race.

Shohei Ohtani Free Agency: The race takes a slow but sure turn

The Dodgers have never shied away from showing their love for Shohei Ohtani. Starting from trying to get Mike Trout to their dugout to making offers to Ohtani before he even got into MLB, they seldom let anyone question their intention when it comes to the baseball ‘Unicorn’.

According to the NY Post, the Boys in Blue have reportedly cleared space on their $240 million payroll this season. They have cut it down to about $160 million to $170 million for 2024. It indicates that they are making space for some big purchases. Fans are expecting it to be a two-way phenomenon.

Moreover, Shohei Ohtani once revealed his love for Southern California, and the Dodgers took note of that. Compared to the predicaments of the contending teams, they still have the upper hand in the race for the unicorn, as it seems. However, there are eight more teams that are eying the two-way phenom. 

Who are the other teams still in the running for Ohtani?

The Texas Rangers just dropped out of the Shohei Ohtani race this week. The Red Sox have been reportedly looking into other prospects as well. Though it has made things easier for the Dodgers, they aren’t completely in the clear to clinch the champ. Clubhouses like the SF Giants and Chicago Cubs are still in the run, other than the certified big-leaguers of the sport.

The Yanks have been a longtime contender, but their pace seems a bit off as of right now, which makes any prospective Yankees deal a long shot. Their rival, the Mets, has not backed out yet. But they have to sort out their tax issues with owner Steve Cohen before they can make any big splurges.

Read More: Will Shohei Ohtani’s Mike Trout Friendship Impact His $550M Decision, 6 Years After the 3X MVP’s Special Welcome?

There are four other names still going strong in the Shohei Ohtani free agency race. They are the Blue Jays, the San Deigo Padres (unlikely with their financial rut), the Seattle Mariners, and Ohtani’s former team, the LA Angels. Let us know your thoughts about which team you think will be able to clinch Ohtani for the upcoming season!

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