Ohtani stunned the sporting world on Saturday when he reportedly agreed to a massive $10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency, ending his tenure with the crosstown Angels.

Though the Dodgers are yet to officially announce the move despite Ohtani doing so on Instagram, there’s some interesting reported wrinkles to the deal that will save the franchise hundreds of millions of dollars, at least in the short term.

Ohtani reportedly will defer all but $2 million of his annual salary — $68 million of the $70 million — until the end of his deal in 2034, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic first reported on Monday, citing a league source. The deferred $680 million will be paid without interest from 2034 to 2043. ESPN’s Jeff Passan also confirmed the deferrals, citing sources.

The deferrals were reported to be Ohtani’s suggestion to help the Dodgers’ future spending efforts alongside Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, with players like Yoshinobu Yamamoto still on the market. Ohtani is believed to be making $50 million annually in off-the-field money, The Athletic added.

It’ll also help the Dodgers navigate the competitive balance tax (CBT), or luxury tax. For CBT purposes, the expected average annual value (AAV) reportedly is closer to $46 million per year than the $70 million on surface level.

Can MLB challenge or cancel the contract? The answer may be a resounding no. In the league’s latest collective-bargaining agreement, it explicitly states that “there shall be no limitations on either the amount of deferred compensation or the percentage of total compensation attributable to deferred compensation for which a Uniform Player’s Contract may provide.” Deferred money is limitless, and Ohtani’s whopping figure doesn’t appear to be an exception.

The deferrals also aid Ohtani from a taxpayer’s perspective. If he’s not living in California by the time the lucrative checks kick in, he won’t be subjected to heavy state tax.

Not only because the reigning AL MVP became the highest-paid player in baseball history with an average annual salary of $70 million but because for a solid 24 hours, the internet was convinced Ohtani was leaving Los Angeles and headed to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Nonetheless, fans around the country are feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

For starters, however, the 29-year-old star says he is filled with joy as he embarks on this new chapter but is grateful for all the Angels organization has done for his career.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years…  Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever,” Ohanti took to Instagram.

As for his next chapter with the Dodgers…

“And to all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself. Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world,” he said.

But how about the rest of the baseball world?

Let’s start with the Dodgers’ fans — pure bliss.

Then there are those who are just mind-boggled by the record-breaking contract:

Lastly, you can’t forget the Blue Jays’ fans who spent the past 24 hours on pins and needles thinking they would land the star.

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While Ohtani’s contract was widely expected to greatly surpass Mike Trout’s current MLB record of $426.5 million on his 12-year contract, the deal Ohtani agreed to is also the richest in worldwide professional sports history.

At $700 million, Ohtani’s deal surpasses Lionel Messi’s $674 million deal with FC Barcelona from 2017-2021 as the largest in sports history.

Ohtani also obliterated the record for the largest contract in North American professional sports history, blowing away the 10-year, $450 million extension Patrick Mahomes signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.

Though there are reported to be significant deferrals in Ohtani’s contract with the Dodgers, the $70 million average annual value dwarfs the previous record set by last year’s mammoth nine-year, $360 million deal signed by Aaron Judge with the New York Yankees which has an average annual value of $40 million.

With Ohtani now off the free agency market, other signings are expected to follow in close order, with the superstar’s exorbitant price tag setting quite the precedent for the remaining free agents.

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Ohtani, who signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers on Saturday, won’t have to move far to play for his new club after spending the first six years of his career with the Los Angeles Angels.

Next season, the Dodgers will kick off their season in South Korea against the Padres, but then they’ll head home for seven games against the Cardinals and Giants.

Their first true road series of the season will start on April 5, when Ohtani and the Dodgers will visit Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs.

According to Baseball Reference, Wrigley Field is one of two MLB ballparks where Ohtani has yet to play in his MLB career, with the other being Pittsburgh’s PNC Park.

In three games against the Cubs, Ohtani is 3-for-11 with one home run and one RBI. He has a career .429 on-base percentage against the North Siders.

Ohtani won’t be pitching for the Dodgers during that early-season series, as he’ll be off the mound throughout 2024 after undergoing surgery on his pitching elbow.

Fans who miss Ohtani at the Friendly Confines will also get a chance to see him on Chicago’s South Side when the Dodgers take on the White Sox June 24-26.

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The Cubs, who had reportedly been involved in the Ohtani sweepstakes, now must shift their focus elsewhere, with plenty of needs and an open checkbook as free agency continues.

In all likelihood, the team will target starting pitching help after the departure of Marcus Stroman, but they’ll also need to address concerns in their corner infield spots and in center field, among other needs.

Here are some of the players the Cubs could potentially seek out as the Ohtani sweepstakes ends.

Cody Bellinger

Contrary to the rest of the blue-chip free agents, the Cubs and Bellinger have a pre-existing relationship. His agent, Scott Boras, has repeatedly said that Bellinger would be open to returning to the Cubs, but that he would also explore all other options too.

“Our platform is Cody’s let us know that he’s listening to everyone involved, and there are no exclusions,” Boras told the media at the MLB Winter Meetings.

Bellinger rejuvenated his career with the Cubs last season, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97 runs driven in. He was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year, and was instrumental in the team increasing their win total to 83.

The Yankees were expected to be heavy favorites on Bellinger, but now that they traded for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, Bellinger likely isn’t on their radar any more.

Bellinger also offers flexibility, as he is able to play center field and first base as a plus-defender in addition to his left-handed power at the plate.

Should the Cubs be inclined to call up youngster Pete Crow-Armstrong permanently, the Cubs could easily stick Bellinger at first. Not to mention, Christopher Morel offers a solid plug in the outfield if needed.

Matt Chapman

The Cubs churned through third basemen frequently last season, with everyone from Nick Madrigal to Patrick Wisdom to Miles Mastrobuoni seeing time at the hot corner.

Now, there’s really only one good option at third base left on the market, as Matt Chapman remains unsigned.

There are some concerns with how he finished the 2023 season after a strong start at the plate, but he’s proven to be durable, averaging nearly 150 games per season, and he is also a plus-defender, giving the Cubs even more quality defense on an infield that already includes Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson.

Tyler Glasnow

The Cubs have been circling a Tyler Glasnow trade throughout the offseason, but their efforts could step up now that Ohtani has signed.

The Cubs are undoubtedly looking to solidify their rotation, thanks to the departure of Stroman and the struggle of Hayden Wesneski to nail down a spot in that mix.

Glasnow is a tremendous strikeout threat, with 162 strikeouts in 120 innings last season, but he’s also slated to make $25 million this season, is set to become a free agent at the end of 2024, and has had some durability concerns in his career.

Rhys Hoskins

Hoskins isn’t at the same level as the preceding three players, but he would be a play to help close the gap at first base with flexibility at the designated hitter spot.

Remember, Matt Mervis will likely compete for some playing time at first base, too.

After missing the entirety of the 2023 season with a knee injury, it’s uncertain what type of contract Hoskins is looking for. Jon Morosi did report, however, that the Cubs and Hoskins have been in touch about a one-year or multi-year deal.

Hoskins spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 79 RBIs during the 2022 season, appearing in 156 games. He slashed .246/.332/.462, roughly in line with his career averages in all three categories.

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Ohtani made the announcement on his Instagram page Saturday, apologizing for the amount of time it took to reach his decision while expressing his excitement to join the Dodgers.

“I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” he said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels’ organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years.”

Ohtani, arguably the most sought after free agent in baseball history, had also been pursued by numerous other clubs, including the Toronto Blue Jays and the Chicago Cubs, among others.

According to multiple reports, Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers will be by far the richest in baseball history, as he has signed a 10-year deal worth a total of $700 million.

The contract reportedly includes deferrals to help lower his luxury tax impact and to allow the Dodgers more cash-on-hand to add pieces around Ohtani, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and others.

According to multiple reports, there are no opt-outs in Ohtani’s deal.

We will update this story with additional details as they become available.

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Morosi originally reported at 1 p.m. PT Friday on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Ohtani was “en route to Toronto” but hadn’t agreed to a contract with any team, and he cited sources for the information about the free-agent two-way phenom. However, USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith and the New York Post’s Jon Heyman all refuted Morosi’s report, saying Ohtani was at home in Southern California, not on his way to Canada.

The Blue Jays are among five reported finalists for Ohtani, along with the Giants, Dodgers, Angels and Cubs. Morosi said Friday morning, before the “inaccurate” report, that the Blue Jays “have certainly improved their standing” on Ohtani — something Giants fans who hope he’ll land in the Bay definitely hope isn’t true.

Earlier this week, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that Ohtani is believed to have met with Blue Jays officials Monday at the team’s spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla.

The latest Ohtani news wave started Friday morning, when Dodgers Nation’s J.P Hoornstra cited multiple sources in reporting that Ohtani would sign with the Blue Jays. Other MLB reporters, including Sportsnet’s Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi, quickly refuted that, too.

An official Ohtani decision reportedly could come as early as Friday, but the entire process has been shrouded in secrecy, and now there has been erroneous reporting.

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On Friday, Jon Morosi reported the two-way superstar was “en route” to Toronto. He specified Ohtani has not agreed to a deal with any major league team but would be traveling to Canada.

Shortly thereafter, national MLB reporters Bob Nightengale and Jon Heyman took to debunking Morosi’s report. Both reported Ohtani was currently on the other side of North America at his home in Southern California.

That spiraled into a riveting and entertaining series of Tweets (X) from people confirming where Ohtani *isn’t* to mock national reporters failing on several occasions to successfully report details on Ohtani’s free agency.

Here are some funny ones:

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National writers and pundits have been duking out new — and sometimes contradictory — reports on Ohtani’s meetings … and whereabouts?

Here’s what we know so far:

According to Jon Morosi — one of the more prominent voices in the Ohtani sweepstakes —, a decision on the Japanese star’s end is expected imminently. Morosi wasn’t specific about the timing of the decision but didn’t rule out the possibility of it coming Friday.

Who are the finalists for Ohtani?

That’s the question everyone’s been wondering. Bob Nightengale reported the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays as expected finalists. He mentioned the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels are “hopeful.”

Nightengale also reported the Cubs’ optimism had “significantly waned” for obtaining Ohtani. Although, that report didn’t sit well with Cubs President Jed Hoyer.

“I don’t know where that came from. There’s nothing to report whatsoever,” Hoyer said at the Winter Meetings.

Like Nightengale, Morosi is steadfast on the Blue Jays being finalists. Ben Nicholson-Smith from Sportsnet also reported the Canadian team is a finalist in Ohtani’s decision.

That stumbled into a knee-slapping report on Friday: his whereabouts.

Morosi reported Ohtani was “en route” to Toronto, but has not yet agreed to a deal with any major league team. That left the majority to believe he would sign there anyway, as the Blue Jays have been reported as strong favorites.

Hilariously, Nightengale threw water on the report, saying Ohtani is currently on the other side of North America at his residence in Southern California, not on his way to Toronto. The NY Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed Nightengale’s report of Ohtani’s coordinates.

Boy, this is getting crazy.

This is all to say … who knows? Are the Cubs in? Are they out?

No one seems to know what the two-way superstar is thinking. Ohtani’s camp has done a phenomenal job keeping his decisions and preferences under wraps since the stove began to heat up.

But there don’t appear to be many positive signs about Ohtani coming to the North Side. But that doesn’t mean Cubs fans should tune out this offseason. Surely, the Cubs will be aggressive in landing some blue-chip free agents if they come away without No. 17.

The question is — how will they respond once Ohtani chooses his next destination?

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Some reports showed the Cubs “balked” at the $500 million price tag Ohtani comes with in free agency. Others suggest their optimism to land the Japanese star has “significantly waned.”

Insider Jon Heyman affirmed the Cubs haven’t heard “No” from Ohtani’s camp. But, for good measures, he reported a de facto Plan B for the Cubs in the event they miss out on Ohtani.

Additional reports suggest in a non-Ohtani world the Cubs could be in on Japanese pitching star Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Pete Alonso is another name that’s been attached to the Cubs since the start of the offseason.

Jesse Rogers reported he wouldn’t rule out a star outfielder from the Cubs if they miss on Ohtani, either.

“I wouldn’t completely discount [Juan] Soto, I put him back in the mix … if the Cubs strike out on Ohtani,” Rogers said on ESPN 1000.

The Cubs could look to address their opening at first base with Hoskins, who was seemingly outed by the Phillies when they announced Bryce Harper would play there on defense.

Hoskins spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Phillies. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 79 RBI’s during the 2022 season, appearing in 156 games. He slashed .246/.332/.462, roughly in line with his career averages in all three categories.

Third base has long been a need for the Cubs. Nick Madrigal proved surprisingly helpful in most games at the corner. But Chapman would make for a more concrete solution at the position.

He’s a wall at the position, recording 12 defensive runs saved at the position there last season. He hit 17 home runs and finished with a .755 OPS last season, too. He’s exceptionally durable, too, averaging 148 games per season over the last three years.

Obviously, Bellinger shifted the trajectory of his career with the Cubs on a one-year “prove it” deal with the Cubs last season. The Cubs grew fond of Bellinger following his 26 home run and 97 RBI season last season.

But the Cubs could be motivated to rely on Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field, should they feel the youngster is ready for the major leagues in a full-time role.

Either way, the Cubs are proving to be aggressive this offseason. Who will they land this winter?

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According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs’ optimism in their Ohtani pursuit has “significantly waned,” leading them to likely focus on other free agents this winter.

Nightengale’s report indicates that the Dodgers, Angels, Blue Jays and Giants remain as “likely finalists” in their pursuit of Ohtani.

Ohtani is quite possibly the most sought-after free agent in MLB history, having won multiple MVP awards while also pitching at a Cy Young-caliber level during his career.

During the 2023 season, Ohtani hit 44 home runs and drove in 95 RBI’s in 135 games, slashing .304/.412/.654 for the Los Angeles Angels.

He did undergo surgery on his pitching elbow late in the season, meaning that he won’t be available to pitch in the 2024 campaign. He is expected to try to pitch again in 2025, leaving his status as the most unique player in baseball intact.

As for the Cubs, if they end up moving on from the Ohtani pursuit, there are still plenty of free agents on the market, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Cody Bellinger, among others.

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Well…..there’s some disagreement on that.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported in his column on Sunday that he does not believe Ohtani will sign at the meetings “unless someone suddenly writes a $1 billion check.”

Nightengale went on to report that he does believe Ohtani will sign before Christmas, but that the free agent is “not on the verge” of deciding his next home.

Meanwhile, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports indicated that Ohtani is “very likely” to decide on his next team in the coming week.

The next question, aside from whether Ohtani will actually sign in coming days, is which team will land him. Reports are nearly unanimous in saying the Los Angeles Dodgers are the frontrunners to sign him, but numerous other teams are making noise on that front.

Nightengale’s report tabs the Angels, Blue Jays, Giants and the Cubs as finalists for Ohtani, who would immediately be an asset in any team’s lineup and could potentially return to being the two-way phenom that can both hit and pitch at an All-Star level when he’s able to return to the mound in 2025 following elbow surgery.

Other reports have indicated that the Blue Jays are in hot pursuit of Ohtani,

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That word: desperation.

In his latest column, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale called the Cubs one of the most “desperate” teams in baseball as they seek to improve their roster after missing out on the playoffs during the 2023 season.

“You don’t fire your beloved manager, steal manager Craig Counsell from your rival, pay him a record salary, shout from the Chicago rooftops that it’s Ohtani or bust, and sit back and tell your fanbase that at least you tried if you don’t land him,” he said.

Nightengale also classified the Yankees and Dodgers, among others, as the teams most desperate to improve during the free agency window.

The Cubs have been linked to countless free agents, including the aforementioned Shohei Ohtani, whose contract is likely holding up a large chunk of the market at this point in free agency.

It isn’t clear whether Ohtani intends to meet with teams at the winter meetings, or if he will sign somewhere before they wrap up on Wednesday, but the Cubs have routinely been linked to the coveted free agent, as have the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Giants.

The Cubs have also been linked via reports to several other names, including San Diego Padres closer Josh Hader, and have also been tied to trade rumors surrounding Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow and Cleveland Guardians star Shane Bieber.

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The Winter Meetings will kick off Dec. 3-6 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. There, the most significant storyline to watch will be Shohei Ohtani. Where will he sign? How much will he sign for?

The more important question for North Side fans: where do the Cubs stand in all of this? ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the Cubs are still firmly in the race for Ohtani, while others have dropped out.

“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,” Passan wrote Friday. “Among those confirmed by sources to be still in the bidding: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Angels. The San Francisco Giants have long had a fondness for Ohtani, though where they stand in these sweepstakes is unknown.”

The Cubs have been in on Ohtani since the beginning. The question at the forefront for the Cubs at this point — how much are they willing to cough up for the Japanese star?

Passan reported “The number, sources said, will surge well beyond $500 million. One source said he believes Ohtani will receive a contract for at least $550 million. Another said the bidding could reach $600 million.”

Remember, Ohtani will not pitch during the 2024 MLB season. He suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Aug. 23, ruling out his ability to pitch next season. It’s unknown if the injury will impact the elasticity suitors provide for Ohtani. Still, Ohtani’s contract will undoubtedly shatter Mike Trout’s $425 million deal — the richest in MLB history.

Ohtani’s decision is expected soon. It could be as quickly as next week at the Winter Meetings, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.

“I’m thinking he may sign at the Winter Meetings, which would be very, very exciting,” Heyman said. “That seems to be the prevailing opinion at this point. No guarantee.”

Ohtani is arguably baseball’s hottest commodity in its history. The Japanese star hits and pitches at an elite level, guaranteeing him a unique contract for executing and nearly perfecting both sides of the ball. Ohtani just won his second AL MVP award this past season.

How will the Cubs finish in the sweepstakes? Keep your eyes peeled for the North Side’s busy offseason.

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The former Los Angeles Angels star, and current free agent, was named the unanimous American League Most Valuable Player after his dominant two-way season. It’s the second time in three seasons that Ohtani has unanimously won AL MVP, making him the first two-time unanimous MVP in MLB history.

Ohtani, 29, defeated a pair of Texas Rangers infielders — Corey Seager and Marcus Semien — to win the award. Seager finished second with 24 second-place votes and 264 points, while Semien came in third with five second-place votes and 216 points. Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, who finished fifth, received the other second-place vote.

Ohtani earned all 30 first-place votes to become the 33rd player to ever win two or more MVPs. Mike Trout (2014, 2016, 2019) and Bryce Harper (2015, 2021) are the only other active players with multiple MVPs.

The Japanese star had another standout season both at the dish and on the mound in 2023. He led the league with 44 home runs and a 1.066 OPS, while also posting a .304 batting average, 26 doubles, eight triples and 20 stolen bases. As a pitcher, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 23 starts and 132.0 innings.

With the 2023 season officially in the books, attention will turn to free agency. Ohtani is top player available even though he won’t pitch in 2024. He suffered a UCL tear and had surgery in September, meaning he’ll only be able to serve as a designated hitter next season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants are among the favorites to land Ohtani. A return to the Angels still remains possible, however.

Another MVP only gives Ohtani even more leverage in contract negotiations.

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Shohei Ohtani headlines a riveting list of free agents available for signing through 2024 and beyond, and it’ll be quite the chase for the two-way superstar.

Though Ohtani isn’t expected to pitch again until 2025 after undergoing UCL surgery, players like him are what every franchise dreams of. He’s an elite pitcher who can belt hits and home runs without a sweat, a posterboy who puts the league on notice. He just hasn’t done it in the postseason yet.

And though Ohtani’s chapter with the Los Angeles Angels isn’t officially closed, it’s probably best for the 29-year-old to aim for a World Series title elsewhere.

These five teams could make the most sense for Ohtani’s coveted signature:

Los Angeles Dodgers

If Ohtani wants to continue his ascension, he may not have to move far. In fact, he could just swap the Angels’ red for the famous Dodger blue. No Angels fan would forgive him for it — and rightfully so — but the Dodgers paving the way for Japanese stars is MLB heritage.

Los Angeles became the first professional organization in the modern era to bring a Japanese player to the majors when it signed Hideo Nomo in 1995. That later saw players like Ichiro Suzuki, Yu Darvish and Hideki Matsui, among others, come to town. Since Nomo, the Dodgers have signed a record nine Japanese players, with Ohtani potentially being the 10th.

Ohtani wants to compete in the postseason, something the Angels just haven’t been able to offer. The Dodgers have qualified every year since 2012, reaching the World Series three times with one win. It’ll be a strange feeling seeing him in Dodgers colors, but they check the essential boxes.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are already making splashes in the offseason. They recently hired former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to a five-year deal and stunned the baseball spectrum in the process.

If Chicago is looking at making a significant cultural shift after three straight years of missing the postseason, Ohtani alongside Counsell would be quite the announcement. The Cubs doled out a lucrative seven-year, $177 million deal to Dansby Swanson last year — their second-largest free agency signing — but they’ll need even more to land Ohtani.

Recent reports suggest fellow MLB general managers believe the Cubs may be the most aggressive for his services. There should be some hope there for Cubs fans (sorry, White Sox).

Texas Rangers

Speaking of winning World Series, the Rangers are the reigning champions and will be looking for ways to improve to defend their first ever triumph.

Texas most notably penned Corey Seager from the Dodgers to a 10-year, $325 million deal in 2021 that helped the culture shift just a few seasons later, especially with Bruce Bochy joining as manager at the start of this season. Seager went on to win World Series MVP thanks to several clutch plays when the Rangers needed him most.

With Adolis Garcia and Evan Carter also stepping up, the Rangers should be looking at ways to pair Seager with someone like Ohtani. That would keep them as World Series contenders for years to come.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants have not been shy about their desires to add a superstar under Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, who joined in 2018. They most notably missed out on Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, albeit the latter to a health issue, and have remained in the market since.

Ohtani has been linked to San Francisco often, with the Giants reportedly looking to add the 29-year-old to their roster and experience postseason success again — something that hasn’t happened since the even-year magic days in 2010, 2012 and 2014. League executives also point to San Francisco as being one of the favorites.

Twenty-five-year-old Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is another popular name teams will pursue, but after winning 107 games in 2021 and falling off since, San Francisco needs an identity under new manager Bob Melvin. Ohtani most certainly would provide that.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are another franchise hoping to turn things around, as they’ve endured three last-place finishes in the last four seasons. A team of Boston’s stature shouldn’t be this bad for this long, though they need more talent like Rafael Devers to contend again.

Ohtani reportedly is said to be “intrigued by Boston” and that the Red Sox under new GM Chris Breslow are “expected to be heavily considered.” That’s optimistic for a franchise in need of something major going their way.

The downside, though, just like for Chicago and San Francisco, is that Boston isn’t exactly in a position to win now, at least not in 2024.

Does Ohtani want to keep waiting for that chance with a different team or join an immediate contender? There’s a reason why the Dodgers keep being touted as the favorites, but you never truly know in MLB.

Ohtani, a free agent who has spent the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, announced Wednesday on Instagram that he’s donating the youth gloves to schools throughout Japan.

“I’m happy to announce that I will be donating approximately 60,000 youth gloves to every elementary school in Japan,” Ohtani said. “That comes out to around 20,000 elementary schools. I’m hoping the kids can spend their days happily with a lot of energy through baseball.”

The gloves Ohtani is donating are from New Balance, one of his corporate partners.

The 29-year-old Ohtani is coming off a season in which he batted .304 with 44 homers and also went 10-5 on the mound with a 3.14 ERA. He had Tommy John surgery in September for the second time in six years.

Here’s what we know, and what could unfold in the negotiations surrounding Ohtani.

How Serious is the Cubs’ Interest?

Judging by the report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs are expected to be “serious contenders” for Ohtani, and several general managers told the insider that the Cubs are expected to be the “most aggressive team” in pursuit of the reigning American League MVP.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will surely be involved, as will the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, among others.

Could Ohtani’s Injury Concerns Play a Role?

Sure, there is some concern that Ohtani’s value could be impacted by the elbow surgery he underwent during the 2023 season. That procedure will in all likelihood keep him from playing in the field during the 2024 season, but beyond that, he is expected to make a run at returning to the pitcher’s mound.

That two-way ability is what makes Ohtani’s such an intriguing player, but even if he were to forego pitching in the future, there is always the very real chance he could make at least a serviceable, if not above-average, corner outfielder. If he were able to do that, then his bat would still make him the top-available free agent, and a highly-prized commodity.

What Would the Money Look Like?

While it’s unclear what the exact figure will be, one would have to figure that Ohtani is going to come close, if not exceed, the richest contracts in baseball history. Currently, Mike Trout has the highest total value of a contract, checking in at $426.5 million with the Angels.

In terms of annual salary, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander each signed deals that paid them $43.3 million annually, with Aaron Judge close behind at $40 million.

Since Judge’s contract with the Yankees runs for nine years through his age 40 season, one could realistically assume that Ohtani would want his next deal to end on a similar timeline as well.

For the purposes of this exercise, we will say that Ohtani will sign a 10-year deal, paying him $40 million per season for a total financial outlay of $400 million.

How Would That Impact the Cubs?

According to Spotrac, the Cubs’ current estimated payroll, at least for luxury tax purposes, stands at just under $185 million. That includes their current players, as well as the anticipated salaries they would hand out to their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players.

According to MLB, the luxury tax threshold for the 2024 season will check in at $237 million, meaning that any team that exceeds it would have to pay penalties to the league.

For the first year that a team exceeds the tax, all payroll that goes over the $237 million mark is taxed at 20%, meaning that for every $1 million, a team would have to pay $200,000 in taxes.

That also compounds each year, with the penalty increasing to 30% for a second year of overages and 50% for three or more years.

What’s more, if a team exceeds the luxury tax by more than $20 million, they are assessed a 12% surcharge. Doing so by $40 million would result in a 42.5% surcharge, and any team exceeding the luxury tax by $60 million or more would potentially have to pay a staggering 60% surcharge.

With all of that in mind, if the Cubs were to pay Ohtani $40 million, and decided to keep all of their arbitration-eligible players, their payroll would balloon to an estimated $225 million, according to Spotrac.

That would give the Cubs just $12 million to work with to fill out the remainder of their roster, a task that could include corner infielders and additional pitchers.

The Cubs would almost assuredly exceed the luxury tax in the coming year, and they would run the risk of repeat violator status given the extensions handed out to Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner, as well as the continued increases in the salary of Justin Steele.

Are There Ways to Save Money?

The Cubs could lower their luxury tax bill by opting not to re-sign some of their arbitration-eligible players, with Patrick Wisdom and Mark Leiter standing out on that list, but that would only save them a few million dollars.

The real savings would come in the second year and beyond of Ohtani’s deal, with Kyle Hendricks’ $16 million contract coming off the books. Drew Smyly’s $10.5 million would also come off the books, as would the $10.25 million in retained salaries for Trey Mancini and Tucker Barnhart, both of whom are counting against the Cubs’ luxury tax bill in 2024.

Will the Cubs Pull the Trigger?

It seems hard to imagine a world where the Cubs would be able to compete with the financial resources of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but with the New York Mets and San Diego Padres likely sidelined in the discussions, and with the New York Yankees potentially looking elsewhere to make impacts, the Cubs could be in a position to seriously compete for Ohtani.

Of course, there are other needs that will have to be addressed too. That includes center field, with Cody Bellinger departing via free agency. Yes, Pete Crow-Armstrong is likely the long-term play there, but having another veteran outfield option is surely something the Cubs would be okay with.

The Cubs also need to solidify their corner infield spots, both of which were black holes in terms of offensive production in 2024. The team has indicated they will explore having Christopher Morel manning first base, but between him and Matt Mervis, the Cubs certainly can’t assume they have that position taken care of.

Finally, there is the pitching staff. The Cubs will need to add more bullpen arms too, and with Marcus Stroman opting out of his deal, the Cubs will need to add at least one more starting pitcher to the mix as well, and there are plenty of options available on the free agent market there.

Adding Ohtani wouldn’t rule the Cubs out on adding other free agents, but it certainly would limit the level of player they would seek out.

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MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported Tuesday that the Chicago Cubs are “serious contenders” for free agent superstar Shohei Ohtani after speaking with several executives at the MLB General Managers Meetings, which are being held in Scottsdale, Arizona this week

“The Dodgers remain the heavy favorites,” Nightengale said. “The Chicago Cubs and Rangers are serious contenders, with several GMs saying that the Cubs may be the most aggressive team for his services.”

This report comes just days after the Cubs stunned the baseball world by hiring former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to a five-year contract.

The fight for Ohtani will be one for the history books, with the two-way phenom — and 2023 AL MVP candidate — expected to earn the largest contract in MLB history this offseason.

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Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Aug. 23, ending his pitching season. He continued as a batter through Sept. 3 until an oblique strain.

Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache operated Tuesday at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. ElAttrache performed Tommy John surgery on Ohtani on Oct. 1, 2018. Neither Ohtani or the team provided specifics on this surgery.

“I had a procedure done on my elbow earlier this morning and everything went very well,” Ohtani said in a post on Instagram. “Thank you very much for everyone’s prayers and kind words. It was very unfortunate that I couldn’t finish out the year on the field, but I will be rooting on the boys until the end. I will work as hard as I can and do my best to come back on the diamond stronger than ever.”

Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s agent, issued a statement released by the Angels. Balelo did not go into specifics on the type of surgery.

“The final decision and type of procedure was made with a heavy emphasis on the big picture,” Balelo said. “Shohei wanted to make sure the direction taken gave him every opportunity to hit and pitch for many years to come.”

The 29-year-old Ohtani leads the AL with 44 homers and has 96 RBIs, eight triples and 20 stolen bases. He was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 167 and walking 55 in 132 innings.

“The ultimate plan after deliberation with Shohei, was to repair the issue at hand and to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow,” ElAttrache said in a statement released by the Angels. “I expect full recovery and he’ll be ready to hit without any restrictions come opening day of 2024 and do both (hit and pitch) come 2025.”

Ohtani is eligible for free agency after the World Series. Before the elbow injury, there was speculation he would get a record contract of $500 million or more.

Ohtani was placed on the 10-day injured list. He has not played since Sept. 3 because of the oblique injury and his season as a pitcher ended on Aug. 23 because of a torn elbow ligament.

The two injuries ended one of the most remarkable seasons in major league history, two-way production that made him a favorite to win his second AL MVP award in three seasons and created speculation he might get a contract for $500 million or more as a free agent this offseason.

The 29-year-old set career bests with a .304 batting average and 1.066 OPS. He leads the AL with 44 homers and had 96 RBIs, eight triples and 20 stolen bases on an Angels team that entered Saturday at 68-80, on the verge of an eighth straight losing season.

Shohei Ohtani Sep 16

Shohei Ohtani's locker has been packed up at Angel Stadium, and the Angels decline to say why

Ohtani was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 167 and walking 55 in 132 innings. Ohtani and the Angels have not said whether he will need Tommy John surgery for the second time.

Ohtani had Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, 2018, performed by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Neal ElAttrache. He returned to the Angels as a batter the following May 7 and to the mound on July 26, 2020, in a season delayed by the pandemic. He didn’t retire a batter in his return, got just five outs on Aug. 2 and left with a strained forearm that kept him from pitching until 2021.

Since then, he’s gone 34-16 with a 2.84 ERA in 74 starts.

Nearly all of the personal items had been removed from Ohtani’s locker and the adjoining empty stall after Friday night’s game. A fully packed bag with a logo from the 2023 All-Star Game sat in front of his stall where his shoes would normally be, and only a few workout shirts hung on the rack.

Nearly a half-hour after reporters were allowed into the locker room and noticed the absence of Ohtani’s possessions, an Angels spokesman said the team planned to give more information Saturday.

The two-way superstar missed his 11th consecutive game with an oblique muscle injury Friday night when the Angels lost 11-2 to Detroit. Although Ohtani was at the stadium before the game, the soon-to-be free agent’s locker was largely empty afterward.

Nearly all of the personal items had been removed from his locker and the adjoining empty stall. A fully packed bag with a logo from the 2023 All-Star Game sat in front of his stall where his shoes would normally be, and only a few workout shirts hung on the rack.

Nearly a half-hour after reporters were allowed into the locker room and noticed the absence of Ohtani’s possessions, an Angels spokesman said the team will give more information about the development Saturday.

Shohei Ohtani Aug 24

Angels' Shohei Ohtani has UCL tear, won't pitch again in 2023 season

Ohtani will be a free agent this winter after six seasons with the Angels, and his future has been a constant source of speculation this season, only increasing after the Angels plummeted out of the playoff race in August. Ohtani has been mum about his future, and his recent injuries have further altered the discussion about his long-term plans.

He has already been shut down as a pitcher this season due to a tear in his right elbow ligament, but the Angels had held out hope he could to return as a hitter this month after straining his obliques in batting practice last week.

Ohtani is still the frontrunner for his second AL MVP award in three years, but Texas’ Corey Seager could be gaining in voters’ minds. Ohtani, who went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA this season, leads the American League with 44 homers, and his 1.066 OPS is the second-best in the majors, now trailing Seager.

Nez Balelo said Monday that he thinks it’s “inevitable” that Ohtani will need some sort of procedure to heal the ligament tear in his pitching elbow, but they’re still gathering opinions on whether that procedure should be Tommy John surgery or a nonsurgical remedy as he heads into free agency this winter.

“There’s not a question in his mind that he’s going to come back and he’s going to continue to do both, like we have the last few years,” Balelo said.

Balelo said Ohtani wants to continue playing this season as the Angels’ designated hitter, although he acknowledged the plan could change soon if they decide to have a surgical procedure early to get ready for the start of the 2024 season. Hitters who have Tommy John surgery typically require six to eight months of rehabilitation before they can hit again.

“I do know this: No matter what timetable we’re dealing with and when we get this done, Shohei is going to be in somebody’s lineup next year DHing when the bell rings,” Balelo said. “We know that.”

Perhaps coincidentally, the Angels pulled Ohtani from their lineup against Baltimore on Monday night about one hour before first pitch and about one hour after Balelo spoke, citing tightness in the designated hitter’s right oblique muscles. Ohtani has missed only two games all season.

“If we continue to gather information that we feel is applicable to what our future is … if there’s anything that affects that, we will probably make a decision,” Balelo said.

Ohtani is the frontrunner to win his second AL MVP award in three seasons after winning 10 games on the mound and hitting a major league-leading 44 homers.

But Ohtani’s free agency and his unique value to clubs could dominate conversation in baseball’s early offseason. Balelo isn’t sure whether the injury will prevent Ohtani from pitching in 2024, but his client doesn’t intend to sit out the season entirely, as some have suggested as an optimal course for returning to full strength on the mound.

While Balelo spoke to reporters in a suite at Angel Stadium, Ohtani took batting practice on the field — a rarity for the superstar, who typically hits in the cage before games. Along with his 44 homers, Ohtani leads the majors with a 1.066 OPS and ranks sixth with 95 RBIs.

Ohtani left the mound Aug. 23 in Anaheim during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds, and tests quickly revealed a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. Ohtani hadn’t complained of any pain in his elbow in the days and weeks before that, Balelo said.

Balelo says the new tear is in a different part of the ligament than the spot that was surgically repaired in late 2018. That repaired spot is still strong and intact, which Balelo says is an encouraging part of a tough situation for Ohtani, who isn’t giving up on pitching despite its toll on his body.

“Shohei loves to pitch, and all of you know that,” Balelo said. “There’s probably some situations out there that we didn’t even explore that could probably get him back in the lineup maybe quicker because of some type of surgery, (but) we don’t want to create any kind of situation where it’s going to be detrimental to him. We just want to make sure that longevity is important, because he loves to pitch.”

Balelo also pushed back against speculation on a rift between Ohtani and the Angels, saying the club has been supportive and positive throughout the process. Both Balelo and the Angels say there was no reason to suspect Ohtani was wearing down while playing every day during a difficult August for the club.

“The word ‘fatigue’ was abused, in my opinion,” Balelo said. “He continues to feel good. He takes care of himself. Nobody can do what this guy is doing. People were just assuming he was breaking down, and there should have been signs for people to notice. That’s not the case at all. Shohei, he drives his career. He does what he needs to do, and he knows he’s got the cards to say, ‘I need a day. I need to take a beat.’ He doesn’t do it enough, because he doesn’t feel like he needs to, and so we respect that.”

Balelo gave no indication Ohtani is likely to speak to reporters again this year, and the agent said he spoke out to give official information on Ohtani’s future and to counteract what he perceives as negativity around this injury amid the Angels’ annual struggles. Los Angeles is all but certain to miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season of Ohtani’s major league career.

“We’ll tackle free agency when it comes,” Balelo said. “I’m not worried about free agency.”

Ohtani sustained the injury in Game 1 of the Angels’ doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds, and he will not pitch again this season.

“Obviously disappointing news,” Minasian told reporters late Wednesday night. “I feel terrible for him. But it is what it is. And if anybody can bounce back, it’s him.

“It’s obviously unfortunate, but I think him playing the second game says a lot about the guy, right? How much he likes playing and how much his teammates mean to him, this place means to him. Pretty impressive.”

The 29-year-old Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018. In 2019, he was able to hit but not pitch, and if he needs surgery again, that likely would be how he is used in 2024, whether he re-signs with the Angels or signs a lucrative free-agent contract elsewhere.

Making his first start since Aug. 9, Ohtani pitched 1 1/3 innings against the Reds on Wednesday before leaving the game. Prior to exiting, he hit his 44th homer of the season.

Ohtani played in the second game of the doubleheader despite sustaining the injury a few hours earlier.

Ohtani is expected to land the largest free-agent contract in MLB history this offseason, but this injury complicates matters.

The Giants have been linked to Ohtani and likely will heavily pursue him this winter, though it’s too early to tell how a second UCL tear will impact cause teams to view him.

Ohtani is in the midst of arguably one of the greatest seasons in MLB history. In 126 games as the Angels’ designated hitter, he is hitting .304/.406/.659 with 22 doubles, seven triples, 44 homers and 91 RBI. He leads MLB with a 1.065 OPS. On the mound, he finishes with a 3.17 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.

While Ohtani won’t pitch again this season, he’s expected to continue hitting, adding to his already historic season.

But once the Angels’ season ends, the focus shifts to whether or not Ohtani needs another surgical procedure and how that impacts his free-agent market.

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Compiling what is his third consecutive otherworldly season as one of the game’s premier pitchers and arguably the game’s finest hitter, Ohtani’s upcoming contract is likely going to cost an amount previously seen unthinkable.

Widely expected to be the first player in MLB history to earn a $500 million contract, with some even anticipating $600 million, the big-market players in baseball are all expected to be in on the generational talent, including the Angels who will hope to maintain his services.

Though teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are expected to be primary contenders for the 29-year-old MVP, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score indicated that the Cubs are anticipated to be involved in the bidding.

Levine was steadfast in his belief that the Cubs would be players in Ohtani’s market, while also indicating that the exorbitant cost would not shy away the North Siders’ front office from pursuing him.

Currently, the largest contract in Cubs’ franchise history belongs to Jason Heyward, who signed an eight-year deal worth $184 million ahead of the 2016 season.

Entering play Saturday, Ohtani leads the majors in several offensive categories, including triples (seven), home runs (39), slugging percentage (.681), OPS (1.077), OPS+ (187) and total bases (263).

Hitting .301 with a .396 on-base percentage, Ohtani is having the best offensive season of his career and is also leading the American League in walks with 62.

On the mound, Ohtani has been exceptional.

Across 20 starts this season, the phenom has posted a 9-5 record with a 3.43 ERA, striking out 156 batters across 120.2 innings while leading all of baseball in hits allowed per nine innings at just 5.9.

With Ohtani just months away from hitting the market and still without a playoff appearance as the Angels make a push for October, there isn’t a team in baseball that wouldn’t love Ohtani’s services for the next decade.

While the price tag seems only in reach for the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and apparently Padres of the world, Levine indicated that the Cubs would have the resources to sign Ohtani shall there be mutual interest.

Despite the Cubs’ reported interest, fans should pump the brakes on pressing their custom Ohtani Cubs jerseys, with prior statements of preference to remain on the west coast to consider on top of the existing challenges for the Cubs.

Though the Cubs owe it to themselves and their fanbase as a large market team to pursue Ohtani, the North Siders may be better suited aiming their offseason priority toward a long-term deal with Cody Bellinger, who has fit seamlessly with the team on a one-year deal meant to reset his market.

Returning to near-peak form in 2023, Bellinger provides the Cubs with great defense at two positions while proving to be capable of being one of the game’s most productive bats when healthy.

Although there’s no certainty on what the rest of the 2023 season will bring, the Cubs front office owes it to their player core and their fanbase to pursue the elite talent that will be on the free agency market.

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One day after reportedly deciding to take the two-way superstar off the trade market, Ohtani had a doubleheader performance for the ages in Detroit.

In Game 1 at Comerica Park, he threw the first complete game of his career with a one-hit shutout against the Tigers. Ohtani struck out eight batters and walked three en route to a 6-0 Los Angeles victory.

Despite throwing 111 pitches over nine innings, Ohtani’s day was far from over. After wowing on the mound, he put on a fireworks show at the dish.

In the second inning of Game 2, Ohtani took Matt Manning to the opposite field for a two-run homer.

Ohtani went yard off Manning again in the fourth inning, this time crushing a solo shot to right-center field for his MLB-leading 38th homer.

So to recap, Ohtani pitched a one-hit shutout, homered twice and drove in three runs as the Angels swept the doubleheader and moved to within three games of the final AL wild card spot.

Ohtani became the first player ever with a shutout in one game and a home run in the other of a doubleheader, per Elias Sports Bureau. He’s also just the fifth player to ever throw a shutout and homer twice on the same day, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

Manning, who allowed both homers, perfectly summed up Ohtani’s historic afternoon.

“He probably had the greatest day of baseball that anyone has ever seen today. It was incredible,” Manning told reporters, via MLB.com’s Jason Beck.

Shohei Ohtani Jul 26

Angels reportedly take Shohei Ohtani off trade market amid playoff push

MLB Jul 26

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred receives four-year contract extension

“I’m proud I didn’t shy away from it. Even when I got behind in the count, I went right at him. Tip your cap. It is what it is.”

Manning probably isn’t the first player to have an “It is what it is” reaction to being outdone by Ohtani this season. The AL MVP favorite leads the bigs in home runs, slugging percentage and OPS, while also holding opposing hitters to an MLB-low .185 batting average over 120.2 innings.

Even if moving Ohtani may have proved to be the better route for L.A. long term, not wanting to trade a player who’s in the midst of arguably the greatest season in MLB history is certainly an understandable choice.

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He bid a tender farewell to the organization that raised him, reflecting on the triumphs and tribulations he faced as a member of a once promising Chicago White Sox core.

On Wednesday night, Rick Hahn struck a deal that sent Giolito and Reynaldo López to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for two prospects. 

As he cleaned out his locker at 35th and Shields, the brighter future that awaits him sparkled in spectacular fashion.

Shohei Ohtani had pitched a one-hit, complete-game shutout in Game 1 of a doubleheader in Detroit Thursday afternoon. In Game 2, he hit two home runs.

Giolito was wide-eyed when a reporter told him what his new teammate had done.

“Really?” he asked. “Wow. Unbelievable.

“Being able to be his teammate, between him and Mike Trout, two of the best guys in the league, I’m very, very excited. It’s going to be a very, very fun journey the next few months here.”

Acquiring Giolito had everything to do with the Angels’ decision not to trade Ohtani at the deadline. They’re all-in on a postseason run, and if they were going to roll the dice, they needed to beef up the rotation.

“After talking with some of the guys over there in Anaheim, I like what they got going on – the push that they’re trying to make,” Giolito said. “I’m excited to be a part of that, along with Reynaldo.

“I’ve told you guys for years and years, I’m at my best when I’m in the present. So right now, I’m in the present. Got traded, moving on, and I’m ready to be a part of this pennant race in the AL West.”

It would be easy to praise Giolito for taking his midseason fate in stride. But the truth is, he didn’t. In going from the White Sox to the Angels, where he’ll pitch meaningful games alongside two of the greatest players who ever lived, there is no stride to be taken.

He’s unequivocally better off.

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Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci reported Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the team’s decision, that the Los Angeles Angels are taking Ohtani off the trade market, and the team will become buyers at the deadline in an attempt to push for a playoff spot.

“Shohei Ohtani is off the trade market,” Verducci wrote. “After fielding various trade offers for Ohtani and holding internal discussions the past two days, the Angels decided late Wednesday afternoon not only to hold Ohtani but also to be buyers in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, according to a source familiar with the club’s decision.”

Before the start of the 2023 season, the Angels were set on not trading Ohtani, but reportedly were considering trade offers in recent weeks as the team fell further out of playoff contention.

Verducci also reported, citing a source, that teams calling the Angels about Ohtani were not offering their top prospects, which did not generate much momentum in negotiations.

However, the Angels are 7-3 in their last 10 games and currently sit just four games out of the third and final AL wild-card spot.

Los Angeles has not made the playoffs since 2014 and will look to do so this season before the two-way superstar tests free agency this winter.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported on Friday that the Angels will “consider incoming trade requests” for the 2021 AL MVP, though a trade is still viewed as “unlikely.”

“The club is not ruling out the possibility of a deadline deal, even though the standard to move Ohtani is extraordinarily high,” Morosi wrote. “The team’s performance over the upcoming homestand will be a big consideration in the Angels’ ultimate course. At this point, many in the industry view a trade as unlikely.”

Ohtani is expected to sign a record-shattering contract this coming offseason, but suitors eager to bring him in now and avoid the free agent sweepstakes could make an offer to the Angels ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline.

MLB Jul 12

Trade candidates, list of deals and more as MLB trade deadline nears

MLB All-Star Game Jul 11

Shohei Ohtani met with loud ‘Come to Seattle' chants in MLB All-Star Game

The 29-year-old, two-way sensation was the runaway AL MVP frontrunner during the first half of the MLB season. He crushed a league-leading 32 home runs and also has a 3.32 ERA across 17 starts on the mound.

The Angels were 41-33 less than a month ago, but injuries have sent the team back below .500. Mike Trout landed on the injured list, Anthony Rendon has not played since suffering an injury on July 4 and Ohtani exited the same game with his own injury.

L.A. skidded into the break and is 45-46 on the year. The team is five games back of the third and final AL wild card spot, and there are three more teams above them in that race. The Angels are also fourth in the AL West and seven games behind the division-leading Texas Rangers.

As for the aforementioned upcoming homestand, the Angels open the second half of the season with nine straight home games. They will host the Houston Astros on Friday, Saturday and Sunday before welcoming the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates next week.

Deep-pocketed teams like the Yankees, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers will be among the contenders for Ohtani’s services should he reach free agency. The San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox could also make a push for Ohtani, and countless other teams will be lining up with hopes of landing him.

There are less than three weeks remaining to see whether they – or any team – have the pieces and desire to offer the Angels a trade package enticing enough to convince them to part with an unprecedented player. Otherwise, the Angels could hold onto Ohtani for the rest of the season and risk losing him for nothing more than a draft pick this winter.

However, fans of all 30 baseball teams will have their eyes squared in on one player, whose impending free agency is poised to test the limits of what can reasonably offered to an athlete in a contract.

Shohei Ohtani, who turned 29 just over a week ago, is a unicorn not just in today’s game, but in all of baseball history.

Redefining the limitations of what baseball players are capable of, Ohtani has emerged over the past several seasons as both one of the game’s finest pitchers and perhaps its most feared slugger.

Following an MVP season in 2021 and an incredible follow-up season in 2022, Ohtani is continuing to push boundaries.

This season, Ohtani leads all of the majors with six triples and 32 home runs, with video game-like offensive metrics.

Ohtani leads all of baseball in slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+ and total bases at the All-Star break, with his 1.050 OPS and 182 OPS+ exceeding what a league MVP compiles in a given season.

That’s of course, not to mention his 3.32 ERA over 17 starts on the mound, leading all of baseball by allowing just six hits per nine innings.

Needless to say, Ohtani’s free agency will be unlike any other in baseball history, with the monetary value widely expected to exceed any contract in the past.

Here’s a look at six teams where Shohei Ohtani may end up next season:

Los Angeles Dodgers

Perhaps the most financially feasible outcome is Ohtani simply heading north on the Santa Ana Freeway and joining the interleague rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

A perennial contender and recent world champion, the Dodgers have built a reputation as an organization with a farm system continually churning out homegrown talent while also never shying away to spend big money in free agency.

The Dodgers turned heads last season when they sat out on many of the market’s biggest names after a 111-51 season came to a shocking end in the NLDS at the hands of the San Diego Padres, with speculation arising that the Dodgers were preparing to make a run at Ohtani in 2024.

Ohtani would find himself entrenched on a win-now team at Chavez-Ravine, and the Dodgers have proven to have the pocketbook to make the move happen.

New York Yankees

A serious contender for any major free agent by default, the Yankees remain the most valuable team in the sport and have not shown any indication that they will stop spending anytime soon.

A hallmark of perennial success, the Yankees last finished under .500 in 1992, and haven’t finished worse than 84-78 since the 1994 players’ strike.

Still in search of their first title and pennant since 2009, the Yankees recently locked down franchise cornerstone Aaron Judge, and in all likelihood would love to give him a long-term counterpart.

Los Angeles Angels

Far from the most tantalizing option, Ohtani may simply stay put with the Angels, though demonstration from the team that they are closer to a contender is likely needed for that to happen.

At a 45-46 record at the All-Star break, the Angels are five games outside of a Wild Card spot, poised to miss the postseason for the ninth consecutive year.

Despite being teammates with who is widely regarded to be the other half of the best two players on the planet, the Angels have struggled to build a contender over the years. A consistently mediocre pitching staff and free agent contracts that have not panned out have left the Angels in perpetual purgatory.

However, if the Angels make other moves on the free agent market or perhaps make the most extravagant offer, Ohtani may stay right where he is at.

Seattle Mariners

After recently getting swooned by fans during the All-Star Game, the Mariners have positioned themselves as a notable dark-horse to land the blockbuster of a century.

Seattle generally presents itself as a unique free agent destination by default, thanks to none other than geography.

Typically dealing with the longest travel schedule in the league, Mariners players are tasked with making a difficult adjustment while also being presented an opportunity to seize a unique advantage at home.

The city is also home to one of the league’s more popular ballparks and a large Japanese American population, and a franchise that is likely one major piece away from being a bona fide title contender.

New York Mets

While the Mets have broken the bank in free agency the past several years, owner Steve Cohen has shown no restraint in his desire to spend to build a contender, a desire that may be even further amplified on the heels of what has been an incredibly disappointing season so far.

Though signing Ohtani to what figures to be a contract north of $500 million would push the Mets into unprecedented luxury tax territory, the lack of recent postseason success for the club could drive such desperation.

With Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer both aging and the latter only holding a player option with the club next season, the Mets may try to take the ultimate win-now approach next season.

Chicago Cubs

Perhaps the biggest sleeper of Ohtani’s potential destinations, the Cubs have seldom lived up to their big market status in free agency in recent seasons.

One year after making their second-largest free agency commitment in team history to Dansby Swanson via a seven-year, $177 million deal, a large commitment to Ohtani would propel the Cubs to be division favorites and title contenders.

Unlike other potential destinations, the Cubs do not offer much more certainty at contention than the Angels do, which will likely impede their already long-shot case.

However, if the Cubs have a significant offer that’s been kept under wraps and manage to post a strong finish to the season, the North Side could appear to be tantalizing to Ohtani.

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was met with loud “Come to Seattle” chants during his first at-bat in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park, home of the Mariners, on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles Dodgers All-Stars Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts were being interviewed by the FOX broadcast during the at-bat and when asked if they wanted to start their own chant for Ohtani, Freeman hilariously responded: “That would be tampering. I’m not doing any of that.”

Ohtani told reporters he “definitely” heard the chants, calling Mariners fans “passionate” and adding that he likes the city.

Ohtani is well on his way to a second AL MVP award as he’s in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in MLB history. He’s hitting .302/.387/.663 with an MLB-high 32 homers while also sporting a 3.32 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 100.1 innings pitched.

Whether or not he’s traded before the deadline, the 29-year-old is in line for a potentially record-setting payday this offseason when he becomes a free agent. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman recently reported that the Angels, Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are seen by some around the league as the three favorites to sign Ohtani. Other big-market clubs like the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and New York Yankees figure to be among the potential suitors as well.

But that clearly hasn’t stopped Mariners fans from dreaming of the two-way sensation in blue and teal.

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I always answer by saying, “I get to watch baseball every day. Even my worst days are good.”

I have a quote from the Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster, Ernie Johnson, taped to my desk that reads, “I have a ‘get-to’ job.” It helps keep the bad days in perspective. Most people have a job they have to do. I have one I get to do.

That outlook is rarely as crystal clear as when the White Sox are playing Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani.

In the three games before Thursday’s 9-7 win and series split over the Angels in Anaheim, Ohtani diced up the White Sox both on the mound and at the plate.

In Monday’s 2-1 victory over the White Sox, he homered 448 feet off of Dylan Cease. In the bottom of the ninth, he helped advance the game-winning run by walking and then executing a double steal that allowed Mike Trout to score on a wild pitch.

On Tuesday, he struck out 10 batters and hit two home runs – the first American League player to do so since Pedro Ramos in 1963. The Angels won that game 4-2 in a rocky showing from Michael Kopech.

On Wednesday, the White Sox kept Ohtani in the ballpark in an 11-5 victory, but he picked up three hits, including a triple and two runs scored.

Through eight innings on Thursday, the White Sox looked fit to hold Ohtani to a fairly blank stat line. 0-for-2 with two walks (one of which was intentional) he came to the plate with two outs and took Kendall Graveman deep on a 1-2 slider. The Angels lost by only two runs instead of four. His 14th home run in the month of June broke Babe Ruth’s record for most by a pitcher who also started a game that month.

On Thursday, Ohtani was named an American League All-Star starter for a third consecutive season – a fitting end to a historic, record-breaking series against the White Sox.

As the White Sox head to Oakland for a three-game set against the A’s, I imagine I’ll need a few good looks at that quote taped to my desk.

But when the White Sox play the Angels, the reminder to be grateful is right there in the flesh.

I get to watch Shohei Ohtani. We all do.

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But there’s one thing they might not be able to give him.

During Wednesday night’s Brewers-Mets broadcast, SNY’s Gary Cohen asked Keith Hernandez if he would let Ohtani wear his retired No. 17 jersey in the event the Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar signs with New York. And the Mets legend didn’t seem very open to the idea.

Here’s how the exchange went:

Cohen: “If Ohtani were to sign with the Mets, would you allow him to wear his No. 17?”

Hernandez: “Well he couldn’t.”

Cohen: “Well with your permission he could.”

Hernandez: [Brief pause] “Don’t ask.”

Cohen: “OK, I will drop the subject right there.”

Hernandez spent six-plus seasons in the Big Apple, making three All-Star Games, capturing six Gold Gloves and helping the franchise win the 1986 World Series. The Mets retired his No. 17 last July.

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Hernandez’s comments come just months after a fellow New York sports legend did offer up his retired jersey number to an active player. In January, Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Namath said he would allow Aaron Rodgers to wear his retired No. 12 if Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets. Rodgers did eventually get dealt to the Jets, but he opted to change back to his college number (No. 8) instead of taking Namath’s No. 12.

Ohtani, who could command a record-setting contract in free agency this winter, has donned the No. 17 since coming over to MLB in 2018. The 2021 AL MVP did, however, wear No. 16 with Japan during the country’s 2023 World Baseball Classic championship run, and that number is currently available on the Mets.

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Shohei Ohtani turned in his most recent masterclass Tuesday night in the Los Angeles Angels’ 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Known for his power at the plate and dominance on the mound, Ohtani combined the two in incredible fashion against the White Sox. He crushed two home runs and picked up 10 strikeouts across his 6 1/3 innings.

A deeper dive into the numbers adds to the unprecedented nature of what Ohtani is doing:

Only five players had ever hit two home runs and struck out 10 batters in the same game

There have been almost four times as many perfect games in MLB history (23) than games in which a player hit two homers and collected 10 strikeouts.

Here is the list of players Ohtani joined by accomplishing the feat:

• Milt Pappas (1961)
• Pedro Ramos (1963)
• Rick Wise (1971)
• Madison Bumgarner (2017)
• Zack Grienke (2019)

Ohtani did it with a cracked nail

Ohtani wasn’t even at 100% when he hit his second homer on Tuesday.

His start ended in the top of the seventh after a small crack in a fingernail on his pitching hand got worse. In the same inning, he stepped into the box and hit a solo home run to the opposite field.

Ohtani leads MLB in home runs

Ohtani hasn’t just been great at the plate – he’s the top slugger in baseball right now.

His 28 home runs are three more than Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson, who ranks second in the majors with 25. He also has an MLB-leading 64 RBIs, one more than Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia.

Ohtani hits better when he’s pitching

Pitching apparently has a positive influence on Ohtani’s hitting.

He is batting .407 in games he pitches this season, well above his regular average of .304, which is already ninth-best in the league. 

Ohtani won’t let his home run celebrations get in the way of his pitching, though. He did a group high-five from the far end of the dugout after his first homer on Tuesday to preserve his arm.

Ohtani is all over the Angels’ leaderboards

Even though he is teammates with a three-time AL MVP in Mike Trout, Ohtani is seemingly the Angels’ leader in every statistic.

Offensively, there are some that come as no surprise. On top of the aforementioned home runs, RBIs and batting average, Ohtani leads the Angels in hits (93), OBP (.386), slugging (.654), OPS (1.040) and triples (four). He’s even been a weapon on the base paths, stealing a team-high 11 bases.

It’s a similar story on the mound. Ohtani leads the Angels in wins (seven), strikeouts (127) and innings pitched (95.1) and ranks first in ERA (3.02), WHIP (1.04) and opposing batting average (.180) among qualified pitchers.

Ohtani has never appeared in the MLB postseason. With the Angels 44-37 midway through the regular season, fans could soon be in store for Oh-ctober baseball.

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