If all eyes weren’t already on Shohei Ohtani this off-season, they certainly are after the Japanese superstar and his dog stole the show while winning his second career MVP award Thursday night.
For baseball fans north of the border, the 29-year-old was already top of mind after The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that a rival executive “views the [Toronto] Blue Jays as a sleeper” to land Ohtani in free agency.
After getting off to a slow start this winter, the MLB hot stove is starting to pick up as we head toward early December’s winter meetings. There might not be much movement until Ohtani picks his next team, but there are always rumours and speculation to dive into at this time of year.
Here are some of the latest from around MLB.
Can the Blue Jays win the Ohtani sweepstakes?
Starting with the biggest free agent in baseball history, Rosenthal relayed the executive’s rationale in his article on Thursday morning:
“Any plans the Jays had to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to massive extensions might now be on hold. George Springer’s six-year, $150-million contract expires after 2026. The team remains in need of left-handed power.”
Rosenthal calls it “all speculation,” however he isn’t the only one to connect Toronto to the two-time MVP.
Earlier in the week, ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote that the Blue Jays “want to do something big” this off-season and labelled the club as a fit for Ohtani.
Of course, interest has to go both ways, and Rosenthal said on Sportsnet Central Thursday night that “no one knows what Ohtani wants or doesn’t want.”
Despite not being able to pitch in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery in September, the six-foot-four left-handed swinging Ohtani will be locked into a team’s lineup as a designated hitter while rehabbing his throwing arm.
He hit 44 home runs in just 135 games in 2023 while posting a 180 wRC+ and 20 stolen bases.
Passan also reported that the sweepstakes for the two-way star are likely to unfold in silence because “if visits between Ohtani and a team are reported publicly, it will be held against the team.”
Although Ohtani’s free agency might hold up the market until he signs, Passan said that he “might move relatively quickly,” adding that it could happen before the winter meetings, which start on Dec. 4 in Nashville, Tenn.
Angels looking to “be aggressive”
Even if Ohtani chooses to go elsewhere, the Los Angeles Angels will be trying to get better this off-season, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzelez.
Despite having two of the league’s top talents over the past decade, the Angels have made the post-season just once.
New manager Ron Washington said at his introductory press conference Wednesday that “once we get things together, we get these guys together in spring training and start to work, our whole focus is gonna be to run the West down. And you can take that to the bank and deposit it.”
General manager Perry Minasian confirmed that the team won’t be intentionally taking a step back — even with the reigning MVP’s potential departure — saying, “we’re going to be aggressive this off-season.”
Although the Angels haven’t been a part of many rumours for top free agents at this point, USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reported that the club is “expressing strong interest in shortstop Tim Anderson,” whose team option for 2024 was declined by the Chicago White Sox.
NL Cy Young Snell has multiple suitors
As another player coming off a major-award win this week, left-handed starter Blake Snell is sure to have a robust market this winter.
While making an appearance on MLB Network Wednesday, The New York Post‘s Jon Heyman reported that the greatest interest in the NL Cy Young winner is coming from three NL West squads.
Heyman listed the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants as teams that are all in on the 30-year-old.
He also mentioned the Philadelphia Phillies as a team to watch, saying, “they need to get a big pitcher. They certainly will get a bit pitcher.” Heyman reported that the Phillies are prioritizing their own free-agent starter, Aaron Nola, but added there is a big gap between the two.
Snell won his second career Cy Young earlier this week, becoming just the seventh pitcher to win the award in each league. He logged a 2.25 ERA over 180 innings for the Padres while striking out 234 batters.
Yankees interested in Margot
On Tuesday, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that the Tampa Bay Rays had discussed the deal for outfielder Manuel Margot with multiple other teams.
In his article Thursday, Rosenthal zeroed in on the New York Yankees as one of the interested clubs.
“The Yankees, seeking to add both a centre fielder and left fielder, have engaged the Rays in multiple conversations this offseason about Manuel Margot,” Rosenthal reported.
Margot, 29, logged significant time in centre and right in 2023 while posting a .264/.310/.376 slash line over 99 games for Tampa Bay. He is scheduled to make $10 million in 2024 and has a $12-million mutual option for 2025.
Quick hits
– Morosi reported Thursday that the Houston Astros have had trade discussions involving 27-year-old centre fielder Jake Meyers.
– Morosi also said the Cincinnati Reds are “discussing Jonathan India trade possibilities” with three or four teams.
– Heyman listed the Giants and Blue Jays as two teams interested in third baseman Matt Chapman. He said Toronto is making a “big push” to bring back the 2023 Gold Glove winner.
– Despite undergoing shoulder surgery earlier in 2023, the Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly discussing trades involving star right-hander Brandon Woodruff, Morosi reported Friday morning.
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