Updated P0st: Dec. 8 at 9:06 AM
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that a decision from Shohei Ohtani is imminent and could be made as early as today (Friday).
The Blue Jays, Giants, and Dodgers are known teams that are still in the mix for the superstar. The Mets and Yankees are reportedly out because Ohtani couldn’t see himself playing in New York.
Updated Post: Dec 5. at 8:37 PM
The Ohtani saga continues and might finally be dwindling. In a new report by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets and New York Yankees might have never stood a chance for the slugger. According to Heyman, Shohei Ohtani, “couldn’t see himself playing in New York” since he “likes to keep things on the quieter side.”
When Ohtani was first deciding where to sign years ago, he told the Yankees he couldn’t see himself in New York. However, as Heyman reports that remark wasn’t relayed this time around to the Mets or Yankees.
While it’s said that Ohtani likes Southern California, Heyman also notes that an entire nation could be his market, just not a huge city, and Toronto fits that bill. Ohtani also reportedly expressed an interest in going to the Dodgers or Blue Jays during the season if he didn’t return to the Angels.
This all comes after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke about meeting with Ohtani. However, GM Brandon Gomes wouldn’t comment on the meeting and was left “unsure” if Roberts’ comments hurt their chances at signing the free agent.
Updated Post: Dec. 5 at 3:33 PM
Jorge Castillo of Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers met with Shohei Ohtani about, “a couple of days ago” at Dodger Stadium. Manager Dave Roberts also noted Tuesday at the Winter Meetings in Nashville that Ohtani is their, “top priority.”
New Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted that he hasn’t met with Ohtani during the free agent process, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.
Original Post: Dec. 5 at 1:40 PM
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Chicago Cubs’ initial optimism on landing superstar two-way player Shohei Ohtani has “waned.” This report is from a high-ranking executive who says the likely finalists for Ohtani are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.
This news comes after Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Monday that Ohtani met with the Blue Jays at their Spring Training complex in Dunedin, Florida. Most meetings with the player have been secretive, which Ohtani requested. Up until now, much hasn’t gotten out. Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, noted that the player would hold it against a team if there were leaks to the media about any negotiations.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle had reason to believe the Giants met with Ohtani on Saturday, as team officials were at Oracle Park, and rumors emerged Ohtani was in town that day.
All eyes are certainly on the Ohtani market, as things will surely pick up once he is signed. Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns, went as far as to say that he believes the Winter Meetings were slower than usual because “the top of the free agent market hasn’t moved yet.” In this, he refers to Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
