Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani hasn’t revealed his intentions, but some see three teams as most likely to vie for baseball’s best player, maybe ever: Dodgers, Giants and the incumbent Angels. (There’s a belief he isn’t all about money and will get the biggest contract ever anyway, and that he wants to win and may prefer the West Coast).
The Dodgers cleared financial room and are the most consistent winners;
The Angels intend to try to re-sign him, although they may need to show Ohtani they can make the playoffs;
The Giants have the $360M left from the Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa pursuits and are in excellent shape financially (and may be in even better shape with the A’s almost sure to be leaving for Las Vegas).
Mets owner Steve Cohen’s comment that his record payroll and huge losses (estimated at $200M) are “not sustainable” seems to suggest that Ohtani may be a tough fit. He should get $50M a year plus, which would cost $105M-plus considering the “Steve Cohen” luxury tax is rising to 110 percent from 90 percent. Meantime, the Yankees had the impression six years ago he didn’t want to come to NYC.