Shohei Ohtani, known for his dual prowess in pitching and hitting, officially entered the free agency market on November 2, 2023.
Ohtani is currently the hottest commodity in the MLB world, with a projected contract value soaring above $500 million for a decade or possibly more.
However, Ohtani is willing to keep things under wraps, further intensifying the MLB fans’ curiosity.
“If there is one thing to know about Shohei Ohtani’s free agency, it’s that you are unlikely to know much about it until he signs somewhere,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported in November. “If visits between Ohtani and a team are reported publicly, it will be held against the team, so the circles will be tiny and tight.”
Yet, as the anticipation for Ohtani’s next move reaches a fever pitch, the cloak of secrecy surrounding his free agency has become a source of consternation for many fans including Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.
On a recent episode of First Take, Russo pulled no punches in expressing his disdain for the secret nature of Ohtani’s negotiations.
“The fact that we’re even discussing this is a complete joke,” Russo exclaimed, launching into a passionate tirade. “What is the big secret?! Jeez! He’s a free agent! He’s talked to six teams. What is this, the atomic bomb? We’re not allowed to find out? This is baseball! He’s a celebrity! This is what it’s about. This is stupid.”
Russo’s frustration stems from the level of confidentiality surrounding Ohtani’s meetings with potential suitors.
“The idea that we have to treat this as the peace talks in Tehran in World War II is ridiculous!” Russo continued. “When Stalin and Roosevelt and Churchill got together. It drives me absolutely crazy!”
In Russo’s eyes, the secrecy has reached absurd heights, with even mundane details about Ohtani’s interactions shrouded in mystery.
Chris Russo is not enjoying Shohei Ohtani's free agency tour pic.twitter.com/b6jpmxdsYk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 6, 2023
He highlighted Ohtani’s reticence during his MVP win, where the Japanese star declined to disclose his dog’s name despite its presence during the ceremony.
What's the name of Shohei Ohtani's dog and does it correlate with his free agent destination? 🤔#MLBTonight will submit their guesses later in the show, let's hear yours ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/US0ioj6HNl
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 6, 2023
While Ohtani’s desire for privacy, respect, and trust is acknowledged, the fervor surrounding his free agency remains palpable.
The potential half-billion-dollar man’s free agency is seen as a once-in-a-century event. And, the 24/7 news cycle could have revitalized the baseball landscape.
As per reports, the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers have met with Shohei Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani is expected to decide on his free-agent destination before the end of the weekend.
No matter which team Shohei Ohtani decides to join, he will only be allowed to be a designated hitter in 2024.
This is because he is recovering from surgery to fix a torn ligament in his right elbow.
