MLB Insider Believes in Shohei Ohtani’s Most Comfortable Team, Despite Bigger Markets Dominating $500M Sweepstakes

Is there some divine intervention taking place for the Los Angeles Angels? After nearly everyone cast them aside in the race for Shohei Ohtani, one expert has come out to say that the door might still be open for the Halos. While Ohtani has said that he wants to focus on winning, maybe Anaheim can make him stay. A top insider believes it is due to a particular reason.

Shohei Ohtani is silent with regards to his free agency. Many big teams are after him but no one knows where his heart lies. But with a second elbow surgery and pitching future uncertain, could this affect his value in the market? Jon Heyman has an interesting answer.

Don’t count Angels out, says Jon Heyman

While the Halos are not at the top of anyone’s list, they are undoubtedly still in the race. Though the team has been struggling in the field for almost a decade now, Shotime reportedly loves living in Anaheim. The notoriously private slugger has created a comfortable home there, so could this persuade him to remain with the Angels? According to Jon Heyman, it is very much a possibility. 

“I think he’s going to value comfort, I don’t know if he’s about the money. If he’d waited a couple of years he could’ve been a free agent right then and gotten 100s of millions of dollars. But he obviously came over as soon as he could, proved he’s the best… So I think he’s going for comfort, so I’m not ruling out Angels.”

The type of privacy and market that the Angels provide is unmatched for the Japanese slugger. It was one of his reasons for not joining the New York Yankees, as he never saw himself as being comfortable in a big city. But wouldn’t staying in Anaheim go against his objective of winning?

Read more: Jeff Passan Breaks Down Shohei Ohtani’s Priorities: Evaluates Dodgers, Mets, Mariners Chances in $500 Million Pursuit

The Angels haven’t qualified for the postseason since 2014, even with powerhouses like Ohtani and Mike Trout. Can a longer contract help either of the parties? But sometimes comfort can play a huge role and maybe he does see Anaheim as a permanent home for him. Another big question is, what will be Ohtani’s true value in the market?

Injury may not work in Shohei Ohtani’s favor

Jon Heyman famously predicted that Ohtani would get a $600 million contract a few months ago. But he has changed his mind after his second elbow procedure. Heyman believes that earlier, Ohtani could’ve even gone for $700 million but this surgery might affect his contract value over pitching doubts.

Teams do not actually know the marketing potential of Ohtani with everyone suggesting different numbers for him. Still even after the reduction he’d still sign the biggest contract in baseball history. Just which team he is going to do it with is the question.

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