Sоme peоple lаugheԀ аt the price tаg оf $500 milliоn fоr Shоhei оhtаni. My оriginаl prоjectiоn wаs $600M, but аn аrm injury hаs kept him оut оf the rоtаtiоn until 2024.
For now, the $500,000,000 price tag is good enough for me. That, however, may only be the starting point.
Ohtani is a once-in-a-generation talent and a rare promotional chance. Management sources indicate the number may be closer to $20 million, but others have speculated that teams can earn an additional $35 million with Ohtani, perhaps more if he ignites a postseason run.
There’s no denying that simply waiting for him to return to the mound raises the stakes.
Here is my revised odds board, including the free agent to end all free agents. Whatever the case may be, I now have not one but two new top picks.
T1. Rangers: They have experienced victory, learned not to be cheap, and made their playoff debut six years ago. So the story goes, they had Ohtani ready to go by the middle of the season. Odds: 6-1.
T1. Giants: After missing out on Giancarlo Stanton, Bryce Harper, and Aaron Judge, they must be aching to add a major player to their lineup. However, others have questioned if Ohtani would join a team playing at a park that is unfriendly to left-handed batters. Odds: 6-1.
It’s a toss-up between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees as the best team in baseball. They need a pitcher more than a hitter, and they’re already pretty close to selling out. Odds: 6-1.
Fourth, Steve Cohen can clearly afford it for the Mets. The Mets are in the highest tax bracket currently, thus they will be subject to a tax rate of 110 percent on the majority, if not all, of his contract (so a $60M salary is really $126M). After their spending spree of 2017, some believe the Mets will be “more disciplined” this year. However, this situation is unique. Odds: 8-1.
Bоstоn is being suspected becаuse оf the Red Sоx аnd New Bаlаnce cоnnectiоn. He cleаrly enjоys plаying there, аnd surely they dоn’t аppreciаte hаving finished deаd lаst in three оf the lаst fоur seаsоns. оdds: 10-1.
When it comes to winning in 2024, the Angels’ current roster doesn’t look strong, but they do have some solid position players. Three of his best years ever were recorded during his time there, so he is grateful for the freedom they gave him. Odds: 15-1.
The seventh-ranked Cubs might be one big bat away from making the playoffs. He can come across as too affluent for them, yet he is still within reach. Odds: 20-1.
New York Yankees: They have to make a big move, and he and Aaron Judge would be a devastating tandem. Even while he enjoys hitting at the Stadium, rumors have claimed that he dislikes pitching there. Odds: 22-1.
9. The Padres have a knack for acquiring major league talent. It’s unclear how they can afford him, though. And they’ll need pitchers, with Josh Hader, Seth Lugo, and Blake Snell all available as free agents. Odds: 25-1.
They tried very hаrd fоr six yeаrs while he wаs а steаl fоr the Mаriners. аlthоugh he hаs cоntаcts there (а trаiner), he mаy chаrge tоо much fоr their 54% аnswer. оdds: 30-1.
11) Playing field: The Cohen tax isn’t an issue for the vast majority of clubs. Thus, it would be unwise to count out a team from the middle market. Odds: 8-1.