Two Major American League Teams Drop Out of Shohei Ohtani Race: What Teams Still Have a Shot at the Two-Way Phenom?

The Shohei Ohtani-free agency saga is not one to cease so easily. With the deal closure still pending, rumor mills have been going into overdrives. But there is some news about this that narrows down the potential teams that will sign the two-way-phenom. 

Well, the two-time unanimous MVP is still the most sought-after name on the open market a few weeks into the offseason. As he is en route to seize one of the most lucrative contracts ever in MLB history, two AL teams have struck him off their lists. 

Shohei Ohtani Will Not Be Seen In These Jerseys For Sure

But two organizations are reportedly pulling out of the race as clubs begin to assess how likely it is that they will be able to sign the superstar, according to @MarinoMLB. There has been an update that the Boston Red Sox are currently looking away from the Japanese star. It is safe to say that they are out of the picture as of now. The Texas Rangers too have pulled out. 

While both teams would have welcomed the addition of the Oshu-born to their roster with open arms, they are currently not on the same page with him in terms of their off-season requirements. That said, they may opt to focus on addressing other requirements while they step back from contention to acquire the pitcher and hitter. 

Now that it is safe to assume that both the Rangers and Red Sox are no longer prioritizing signing Ohtani, many teams have amped up their chase. Experts speculate that the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, and the San Francisco Giants are the three teams with the most likelihood of acquiring Ohtani. However, one can’t rule out the Toronto Blue Jays, the San Diego Padres, the New York Yankees, and the Mets either, among other contenders.

Let’s Look At The Other Possibilities 

There are two possibilities while one thinks of why these teams reportedly backed out. It could either be financial constraints. Or it could be that the goals for the team are not in sync with Ohtani’s goals for his career. That said, the speculation train carries on until it reaches its final destination. 

Read More: Amidst Widespread Shohei Ohtani Interest, Japanese Baseball Personality Signals Angels’ Advantage in $500M Race

Assessing the current situation that the Shotime’s acquisition is at, the Dodgers are still the favorite. One has to wait tensely for any updates on that front, though, as nobody really knows what Ohtani wants. The sweepstakes are drawing nearer to its conclusion. Might it be that Ohtani stays in Los Angeles, only wearing a different uniform?

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