MLB Report: Shohei Ohtani To Surpass Current Average Annual Value Record With A Short-Term Deal?

The Shohei Ohtani contest has started. Now that MLB free agency is underway, the best player in the game is formally available for grabs. It’s anyone’s guess what comes next. Ohtani had been anticipated to earn the biggest deal in sports history for months, if not years. It remains to be seen where money will play a role in where he signs and how his most recent injury will affect the discussions.

MLB Report: Shohei Ohtani To Surpass Current Average Annual Value Record With A Short-Term Deal?

Someone familiar with Ohtani’s thinking has told ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez that he “might be open to a short-term deal with an exceedingly high average annual value.” As a result, there may be a large rise in potential suitors.

This theory has some validity because the two-way star, who underwent elbow surgery late in the season, will not be able to pitch in 2024. Ohtani may return to the major leagues in 2025 as a pitcher and hitter, so a one-year contract with an opt-out after the next season may be a possibility. Since Ohtani won’t turn 30 until July of next year, he also has time on his side.

Set by Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer on shorter contracts with the Mets last summer, the record for yearly value is $43.3 million. Should Ohtani follow this path, he’d assuredly blow past that mark to set the AAV record.

In addition to the teams who are currently thought to be favorites for Ohtani, including the Dodgers, Giants, and Rangers, there’s a chance that lesser budget teams may also be considered. This might spark a baseball free agency frenzy unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed.

Since he started to dominate as a two-way player, Shohei Ohtani has always been associated with one number, and this association persisted even after he had a second elbow surgery:

Five hundred, that is, $500 million, is an unparalleled achievement for a professional athlete based in North America.

Naturally, such a free agent arrangement would call for a long-term dedication. However, those who are aware with Ohtani’s thought process surmise that he would be amenable to a short-term contract with an absurdly high average yearly value, which would make a number of suitors available this offseason.

Ohtani will not be able to throw until 2025 after undergoing surgery in September to repair a ruptured UCL. The former AL Rookie of the Year may try to cement his status as a top pitcher when he returns to the mound before agreeing to a long-term contract, even though he can still hit.

Ohtani played in 135 games in 2023, hitting.304 with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs. In addition to having the best on-base percentage (.412) in the American League, he also had the best slugging percentage (.654) and OPS (1.066) of any MLB player.

 

 

FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE- 

Sean McDermott On Top Of The List For Worst Replay Challengers