Baseball fever is skyrocketing with the recent MLB Winter Meetings, and topping the agenda on everyone"s radar is a man of spectacle- Shohei Ohtani’s.
His free agency has garnered unprecedented attention that lands him in the spotlight of every conversation.
This Japanese two-way phenom is speculated to haul in a landmark contract that could rewrite records.
All eyes are on Shohei Ohtani as MLB's Winter Meetings kick off.
The two-way Japanese phenom is the biggest prize in the free agent market this year — or perhaps ever.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 3, 2023
Renowned for hosting a flashy list of high-profile events, Music City is now the stage for the record-high intrigue and drama of the Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes.
The Winter Meetings, to be held in Nashville, will witness one of the most anticipated spectacles in MLB history – the Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes.
Predictions leading up to Ohtani"s next contract have touched the incredible $600 million mark, suggesting he"ll still set MLB records for overall value and yearly salary despite the arm injury he suffered while with the Los Angeles Angels.
The injury not only prevented Ohtani from pitching until 2025 but it also sparked queries about his future as a superstar with unmatched pitching and hitting skill.
Unlike negotiations endured by other MLB high-profile free agents in the past, insiders expect Ohtani to make a decision swiftly, possibly during the week of the Winter Meetings.
This could tremendously influence the rest of the free-agent market, enabling teams to progress with their offseason roster development predictably.
Being a two-time MVP with an exceptional skill set and carrying the highest-selling jersey, Ohtani"s allure is undeniable.
However, clubs are weary since securing him might bind them to a top-tier payroll for nearly a decade, challenging in times when player spending is not as directly linked to success as before.
Ohtani"s recent elbow surgery to mend a UCL tear adds to the risk.
" He’s a great player. I know there’s going to be a lot of attention on [the chase for Ohtani], and I understand why," Angels general manager Perry Minisian said at MLB’s GM meetings in November. "We’ll see how the offseason develops. We’ve got our plan, and we’re going to try and execute that plan and see where everything goes."
Economist Katsuhiro Miyamoto estimates that Ohtani’s economic impact during the 2022 season totaled $337 million, factoring in ticket sales, sponsorships, and national broadcast appearances.
Remarkably, despite Ohtani"s staggering economic impact, the Angels’ attendance in 2023 dropped around 13% compared to 2017, namely, the year before Ohtani"s MLB debut.
"Ohtani is far more prominent a figure on a national and international basis than he’s been locally to date," David Carter, a University of Southern California professor and a longtime sports industry consultant, told Front Office Sports. "This is such a crowded market, definitely a results-oriented one, and the Angels never really broke through while Ohtani was there."
David Carter, a University of Southern California professor, attributes this to the Angels" non-playoff streak and market saturation.
Current MLB players’ public advocacy for Ohtani to join their teams is notably increasing.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, backed by a 40% probability of signing Ohtani, are the frontrunners, especially considering Ohtani"s acquaintanceship with the L.A. market.
Cementing Ohtani could further strengthen the Dodgers’ dominance over the Angels, who have been grappling with front-office and stadium issues continuously.
