Although it’s been only a few days since the World Baseball Classic got over, it still feels like yesterday. With Team Japan winning the 2023 championship, they are now the only team to win three WBC tournaments. With this win, the two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani established himself as one of the best not only in MLB but in the whole world. The WBC champion Ohtani’s free agency is still the regular season away. But it is already one of the hot topics right now in the entire league.
And now, the Japanese star player has finally spoken about his impending free agency. After a recent interview, USA Today reported that even if things do not change before he enters free agency, the Angels’ star has his priorities set before he tests the free agency waters.
Will Shohei Ohtani win a ring before his free agency?
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Since 2014, the Los Angeles Angels have not entered the post-season. In 2022, the team, including Ohtani, tried their best but could not win over 73 games in the regular season. With Shohei Ohtani all pumped up with the World Baseball Classic energy, things might turn out differently for the Angels this year.
However, the two-way phenom is set on what he wants, and that is a championship trophy with the Angels. About the team’s future, Shohei said, “I don’t think it really changes anything as far as free agency is concerned.” Soon after, he added, “but I definitely want to win a ring with the Angels.… Whether I played in the Classic or not, my approach to the season is not going to change.’’
The team winning a world series is not an affair that can be done with only one player being ready. Although, his teammate Mike Trout is also pumped up from the WBC energy, even if Team USA couldn’t take the win home.
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What teams have the ability to afford the iconic phenom Ohtani?
Which teams will land up in the race to bring Ohtani into their team will be revealed only when he enters free agency. But that does not stop people from making their own hypotheses.
Not long ago, MLB legend Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez named the three teams he believe are the only ones who could afford Shohei Ohtani in their team. And those three teams are the New York Yankees, the LA Dodgers, and the New York Mets because of the one and only Steve Cohen.
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Watch this Story: Ranking every winner of the prestigious World Baseball Classic
By the way, where do you think Ohtani will end up if or when he enters free agency? Let us know in the comments below!