Jul 8, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers
(Los Angeles, LA) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani could earn as much as a billion dollars this offseason as a free agent.
“Someone on our team plane the other day mentioned the ‘B’ word,” Mets manager Buck Showalter told Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
“Realistically, executives believe he’ll receive between $500 million to $550 million,” Nightingale added.
Could the Mets realistically make a run at Ohtani? Maybe.
Despite owner Steve Cohen investing $445 million last offseason to improve the team, the Mets (42-48) are in fourth place in the NL East, 18.5 games out of first place.
Is Cohen willing to shell out another $445 million next year?
Ohtani has a league-leading 32 home runs this season to go along with 71 RBI, 63 runs, and a 1.050 OPS. He is also hitting .302 this season.
If those numbers are not enough, pitching is the same story. Ohtani is 7-4 this season with a 3.32 ERA on 132 strikeouts.
“Teams inquiring about Ohtani have been told that owner Arte Moreno still has every intention of keeping him for the remainder of the season in hopes they can re-sign him as a free agent,” Nightingale added.
The Angels haven’t been to the postseason in Ohtani’s first five years in the league. At 45-46, there is a chance but Mike Trout remains on the shelf with a broken hamate bone.
If the Angels’ season derails, Ohtani could be out the door.
