As soon as the 2023 World Series ends, mega-star Shohei Ohtani will be free to sign with any team of his liking without restrictions.
He will be able to pick his favorite landing spot or take the highest offer and start a new chapter of his storied career.
When it comes to free agents and money available to spend, Steve Cohen’s New York Mets always make sure to be in the thick of things.
According to SNY, which cites a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mets will be very much involved.
“The Mets could be ‘right in the middle’ of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes,” they tweeted.
The Mets could be “right in the middle” of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes https://t.co/ahAltbYeCH pic.twitter.com/wIh6HK8lhD
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 24, 2023
It doesn’t matter that Mets officials identified 2025 and 2026 as the earliest point in which they will really contend.
There is new leadership in town, in president of baseball operations David Stearns, and if he has the funds, he would love to go after the Japanese star.
Not only that, but the Mets have also shown interest in fellow NPB star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who won the 2023 World Baseball Classic together with Ohtani.
Yamamoto is a high-profile pitcher, and the Mets had resounding success with Kodai Senga this year.
A rotation with Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Senga might not be such an impossible dream after all.
It depends on how much money Cohen is willing to give.
As for Ohtani, he looks likely to win his second AL MVP award after posting a 3.14 ERA, 167 strikeouts, and a 1.066 OPS as a hitter.
He should get no less than $500 million when all is said and done.
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