Who wants to lead the most recent major league baseball ?

There is a very competitive list of free agents available for signing through 2024 and beyond, with Shohei Ohtani at the top. He is a two-way superstar.

Even tҺоugҺ оҺtаni will likely neeԀ UCL surgery аnԀ nоt be аble tо pitcҺ аgаin until 2025, every оrgаnizаtiоn Һоpes tо Һаve guys like Һim. Һe’s а pitcҺing prо wҺо cаn Һit Һоme runs аnԀ belt Һits witҺ eаse; Һe’s а pоster kiԀ wҺо mаkes tҺe leаgue tаke nоtice. Һe Һаsn’t perfоrmeԀ well in tҺe pоstseаsоn tҺus fаr.

And while Ohtani’s time with the Los Angeles Angels isn’t quite over, it would be better if the 29-year-old focused on winning a World Series somewhere else.

The following five clubs might be the best fit for Ohtani’s coveted signing:

Dodgers of Los Angeles

Ohtani might not need to travel far if he wishes to carry on with his rise. He could even replace the Angels’ iconic red with the Dodger blue. Although it is understandable that no Angels fan would forgive him for it, MLB history credits the Dodgers with opening the door for Japanese talent.

When Los Angeles signed Hideo Nomo in 1995, it became the first major league team in the modern era to have a Japanese player in the majors. Later on, among others, stars like Hideki Matsui, Yu Darvish, and Ichiro Suzuki visited the area. The Dodgers have signed a record nine Japanese players since Nomo, and Ohtani might be the tenth.

The Angels haven’t been able to provide Ohtani with the postseason competition he wants. Since 2012, the Dodgers have qualified for the World Series each year and have only lost once. Although it will be surprising to see him in Dodgers colors, they fulfill all the necessary requirements.

Cubs of Chicago

In the offseason, the Cubs are already having an impact. They shocked the baseball community when they signed former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to a five-year contract.

Ohtani and Counsell would be a big announcement if Chicago is aiming to make a major culture change after missing the playoffs for three years in a row. The Cubs signed Dansby Swanson, their second-largest free agent, to a rich seven-year, $177 million deal last year, but they’ll need to pay significantly more to sign Ohtani.

According to recent rumors, general managers from other MLB teams think the Cubs might be the team that will pursue him the most. For Cubs supporters (sorry, White Sox), there ought to be some hope there.

The Texas Rangers

In relation to winning a World Series, the current champion Rangers will be trying to find ways to get better in order to defend their historic victory.

A few seasons later, Texas most famously signed Corey Seager from the Dodgers to a 10-year, $325 million contract in 2021, which contributed to the culture shift, especially with Bruce Bochy taking over as manager at the beginning of this season. A number of clutch plays made by Seager when the Rangers most needed him helped him win the MVP award for the World Series.

Adolis Garcia and Evan Carter are also making strides, so the Rangers ought to be considering matching Seager with Ohtani. They would continue to be World Series contenders for many years after that.

Giants of San Francisco

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Ohtani has been frequently associated with San Francisco. It is said that the Giants are hoping to get the 29-year-old back to their team and win in the postseason once more, something they haven’t done since the magical days of even-year baseball in 2010, 2012, and 2014. San Francisco is mentioned by league executives as another favorite.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 25-year-old Japanese pitcher, is another well-liked player that teams may target, but San Francisco needs an identity under new manager Bob Melvin after winning 107 games in 2021 and faltering ever since. Ohtani would undoubtedly supply that.

Red Sox of Boston

Another team looking to make a change is the Red Sox, who have finished in last place three times in the previous four seasons. A club of Boston’s caliber shouldn’t have to play this poorly for this long, but in order to compete again, they’ll need players like Rafael Devers.

According to reports, Ohtani is “intrigued by Boston” and the Red Sox, led by new general manager Chris Breslow, are “expected to be heavily considered.” That seems idealistic for a team that desperately needs a big break.

The drawback is that Boston isn’t precisely in a position to win now, at least not in 2024, similar to what happened to Chicago and San Francisco.

Would Ohtani rather sign with an immediate contender or continue to wait for that opportunity with a different team? The Dodgers are consistently regarded as the favorites for a reason, but in Major League Baseball, you never know.