Shohei Ohtani (29, Los Angeles Angels) is highly likely to part with the team due to the owner’s withdrawal of the sale. While several teams are aiming for him, there is a team that even the owner has stepped up.
American media Sportsnet New York quoted a source on the 26th (Korean time) and said, “Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, has openly mentioned the recruitment of Ohtani to high-ranking officials of the club.”
Ohtani, who will qualify as a free agent (FA) after the end of this season, is already considered one of the biggest players in the market. After debuting in the Major League (MLB) in 2018, Ohtani, who stood out only in batting, won the American League MVP in the 2021 season and went on the right track in both batting and batting.
Last year as well, Ohtani had an excellent record as a pitcher, going 15-9 with an ERA of 2.33. As a hitter, he also led the team with 34 homers and 95 RBIs along with Mike Trout (32). Accordingly, he also came in second in American League MVP voting.
Initially, Ohtani was a non-tradable player for the Angels. As the owner Arte Moreno announced his intention to sell the club last summer, it was essential for Ohtani, one of the top stars, to remain, even if only to increase the value of the team. Some speculated that Ohtani might sign an extended contract with the Angels.
However, Moreno’s owner recently withdrew from negotiations to sell the club. In a statement released through the club, he explained the reason, saying, “As I went through the sale process, I felt that the Angels were still in my heart.” As a result, the possibility of Ohtani leaving the team through trade or free agency has increased. 메이저사이트
And the Mets jumped in before Ohtani was recruited. The Mets have become a big hand in the market since owner Cohen bought the club in late 2020. In the past two years, he has successively captured top-class right-handers Max Scherzer (39), Justin Verlander (40), and Japanese pitcher Senga Kodai (30). The final contract was canceled due to medical test problems, but he tried to give shortstop Carlos Correa (29) a large amount of money.
The Mets had already entered negotiations with the Angels for the Ohtani trade last summer, but failed to reach an agreement. Accordingly, the media predicted that the Mets would catch Ohtani through free agency in the next Stove League.
However, the problem is Ohtani’s expected ransom. In the U.S., it is expected that he will sign a contract worth 500 million dollars (approximately 616.1 billion won) for the first time in the big leagues. The Mets, which have to lower their annual salary below the luxury tax standard, are expected to adjust Ohtani’s contract in this regard.
Meanwhile, the media said, “In addition to the Mets, the New York Yankees and LA Dodgers are also salivating toward Ohtani.”