Photo Credit: Lapresse
There's still a lot of time and a lot of mystery left regarding Shohei Ohtani's next MLB team. At this point, anything seems possible, including a re-signing with the Los Angeles Angels.
But while several teams still have hope that they can land the two-time AL MVP, it appears that one team has dropped out of the most anticipated free agent sweepstakes the sport has seen in quite some time.
Cubs out of Ohtani sweepstakes?
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported on Tuesday that the Chicago Cubs have practically admitted defeat when it comes to securing Ohtani's services.
The Cubs being out of the running seems to leave four teams who will continue to fight for the right to sign the two-way superstar. As it stands, the other L.A. team is the favorite, but it's anyone's game.
- Los Angeles Dodgers (-200 odds to sign Ohtani)
- Toronto Blue Jays (+275)
- San Francisco Giants (+900)
- Los Angeles Angels (+1400)
With the Designated Hitter rule becoming universal in MLB in 2022, Ohtani essentially became free to sign anywhere when his contract was up. That's clearly the case now, as two NL and two AL teams appear on the finalist list.
Ohtani is coming off of another MVP season in which he led the AL in home runs with 44 and hit over .300 despite missing the final month-plus of the season. On the mound, he won 10 games, struck out 167 batters and finished with a 3.14 ERA across 23 starts.
The 28-year-old underwent elbow surgery in September and will be unable to pitch for the entirety of the 2024 season. By all accounts, he will be available as a designated hitter for whichever team signs him.
