Shohei Ohtani has gone from being an MLB rookie in 2018 to a global sensation. Ohtani has maintained his privacy in his personal life despite his notoriety. His parents have not been spotted on television, nor are there any dating rumors. But Ohtani’s reclusive demeanor makes his present free agency even more dubious.

The free agency procedure has been kept under wraps and drama-free by Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo. Teams have been informed that any leaks of meeting materials will be used against them. Ohtani’s potential approach to free agency going forward can be understood by taking a look back at his first free agency in 2017.

Rather than waiting another two seasons to be regarded as a “regular” free agent, Ohtani decided to leave Japan in 2017 and sign with the Los Angeles Angels. He lost out on almost $200 million in potential income as a result of this choice. Ohtani signed with a $2.315 million signing bonus and spent his first six seasons on MLB’s standard salary. It was evident from his readiness to pass up a sizable salary that performing on the biggest stage was important to him.

Ohtani will now probably get a record-breaking deal with an estimated $50 million annually on average. It’s anticipated, nevertheless, that a few million dollars won’t be the decisive amount for him. The auction for Ohtani’s services may not go to the highest bidder.

Ohtani is more interested in a relationship with his teammates and a setting that can support his growth and advancement. Having won two MVP awards, it’s possible that his career objectives have changed since his first free agency. It’s unclear if he would rather make a smooth transition to the major leagues as a two-way player or join a competitive squad. However, he doesn’t seem to consider market size or geography when making decisions.

It’s important to remember that the New York Yankees were not among the finalists during Ohtani’s prior free agency. Ohtani prefers solitude, so it seems natural that he would stay away from the Yankees with lots of coverage. It’s doubtful that they’ve done anything since then to influence his decision.

It’s challenging to ascertain what Ohtani wants from his current free agency class overall. His exact objectives are still unknown, and they will only become clearer with time.