Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes See Major Shakeup as Mets Bow Out, Focus on Another Japanese Star

The offseason has started heating up just before the winter meetings. While many teams have announced their signings, Shohei Ohtani remains the biggest behind-the-doors story right now. Though the two-way phenom is silent, streets are abuzz with the news of his possible landing team. As time has passed the names of the teams who are favorites have become clearer. Absent among those names are the two New York juggernauts. 

While the New York Mets and the Yankees are fighting each other for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they are awfully quiet about Ohtani. According to ESPN, the contract Ohtani is poised to sign could be “at least” $550 million, and one source has indicated that it might even reach as high as $600 million. Initially, the Queens were considered major contenders for Shotime’s free agency, but now it looks like they might be bowing out of the race altogether.

Insider reports the Mets turned outwards of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes

Earlier this year when everyone was anticipating Ohtani’s free agency one of the chief names linked was the Amazin’ Mets. The Queens side was coming off a great season at the time while having spent big amounts in the last few years. A few MLB experts thought that even if the Mets don’t get him, they would make sure to stay in the race till the last moment. But the things have taken an unexpected turn.

Just a few hours back, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that “The Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets, who were among the initial group of suitors, have turned their attention to other players, sources said.”

The Mets had a terrible 2023 with the biggest reason being their bad pitching. As a result, it became their primary focus. However, as Ohtani approached the final days of the regular season, uncertainty shrouded his pitching future due to an elbow surgery. Due to which the two-way phenomenon will have to wait until 2025 to show his pitching skills again. This could be one of the reasons why the like the Mets are turning outwards in the Ohtani pursuit.  

While injury could be a major reason, another one is Ohtani’s apparent uninterest in the East Coast. Even in 2017, he declined to play there and maybe things haven’t changed much in 2023. On the flip side of it, the Mets too are focused more on increasing their pitching strength by going after Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga.

However, sources confirm that the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Angels are actively participating in the bidding. While the San Francisco Giants have expressed a longstanding interest in Ohtani, their current position in these negotiations remains undisclosed.

Read more: Did You Know About Shohei Ohtani’s Wild Routine Tied to His 14-Hour Sleep Schedule?

With favorites now leaving the race, a decision could be nearer than once thought.

Watch This Story: Shohei Ohtani’s Two-Way Dream: Before Injury, He Always Wanted Both!