The Los Angeles Dodgers were the overwhelming choice of major league general managers to sign Ohtani.
“Not surprisingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the overwhelming choice of major league executives for Ohtani’s next destination,” MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, reported on Tuesday. Those surveyed believed the Los Angeles Angels superstar would head 30 miles north to the Dodgers.”
Ohtani was by far the most talked about and discussed name at the Major League Baseball General Managers’ meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Aug. 8. Ohtani, who broke into the major leagues with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, is a free agent for the first time in six years.토토사이트
Despite a season-ending tear of the medial collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow this year, the season before free agency, Ohtani batted .304 with 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, 102 runs scored, 20 doubles, a .412 on-base percentage, a .654 slugging percentage, and a 1.066 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in 135 games as a hitter, and a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings as a pitcher in 23 games. In terms of Wins Above Replacement (WAR) alone, he topped 10 (6 for hitters and 4 for pitchers), according to Baseball Reference. That’s a staggering number for a designated hitter who doesn’t receive any defensive weighting, which is why the second MVP since 2021 is favored.
Ohtani’s popularity as both a pitcher and a hitter has exploded. As one American League executive put it, “His marketability is insane. He’s a globally recognized baseball player. What that means is that he’s the only person who can potentially create meaningful value beyond his on-field impact.”
Of the eight teams considered front-runners to sign Ohtani – the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs – the Los Angeles Dodgers were the choice of 10 of the 14 top decision makers at each club.
“When the L.A. Dodgers fell in love with a player and made a move for that player, the Dodgers always got the player they were after,” said Executive A at a National League club.
The Dodgers are considered the most advanced and forward-thinking of the 30 major league teams, making them a dream organization for any major league player. The seven-time World Series champions have been one of the most consistent teams in baseball, winning 10 National League West titles, three World Series appearances, and one pennant in the last 11 years.
This was a perfect fit for Ohtani, who was hungry for wins and championships after failing to reach the postseason in six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, according to major league club decision makers. “He’s not just driven by money, so it’s important to get a good fit for him, and I think the Cubs are going to make a strong push (besides the Los Angeles Dodgers),” National League Executive B said.
Outside of the Cubs, the New York Mets, with billionaire owner Steve Cohen, are considered a dark horse. “If Cohen wakes up one morning and decides he wants Ohtani, he’s going to New York,” said C, another decision maker in the National League.
Ohtani’s elbow surgery this winter will keep him from pitching until at least 2024, and the first half of 2025 is uncertain. Considering this is his second elbow surgery, he may never pitch again. Still, every major league executive who spoke to MLB.com estimated that Ohtani’s price tag would be at least $500 million. Beyond just baseball, Ohtani’s marketing appeal is overwhelming.
“Before he got hurt, I had a personal estimate, but now I really don’t know, and I’d say he could get anything from $300 million to $800 million,” National League executive D said. Another American League executive said, “There’s definitely going to be competition to drive up the price. Before the injury, I was thinking, ‘How can you not spend $700 million on Ohtani? If you think about acquiring two players who play the roles of pitcher and hitter, it’s going to cost $700 million. I don’t think (the injury) hurts Ohtani (in terms of the price tag). I don’t think there’s a shortage of teams that want him.”