MLB free agency has been underway for nearly a month, but you wouldn’t know it based on the response of many front offices across baseball. The same goes for Shohei Ohtani’s camp, who, like many other top free agents, are taking their time gathering information before reaching a decision.
Eventually, Ohtani’s likely to sign a record-breaking contract worth several hundred million dollars. We’ve heard all about the usual suspects, like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and just about every other team with a sizable payroll pursuing the two-way superstar.
One team we haven’t heard as much about is the Atlanta Braves. But MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi indicates we shouldn’t overlook the 2021 World Series winners either. The MLB insider suggests the Braves should be viewed as a dark horse team to sign Ohtani for a couple of reasons.
One, the Braves “appeal to Ohtani from a competitive perspective”. Being that they’ve gone to the postseason each of the past six years, this checks out.
Morosi goes on to say more about why the Braves might be better prepared to help Ohtani contend both in the short and long term better than any other team in baseball today.
“His best opportunity to win is with a franchise that has an abundance of young, star-level position players under contract for the long term. The Braves fulfill that category better than any other MLB franchise.”
Jon Paul Morosi on Atlanta Braves being a dark horse for Shohei Ohtani
With young cornerstones like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider signed through 2028, the Braves can offer a long competitive window for Ohtani to enjoy. Yet, they’re already good enough to reach the playoffs without the former AL MVP. Imagine how great this team could be with Ohtani added too. If winning is the goal for Ohtani, who’s yet to reach the postseason in his six-year MLB career, then there may be no better option than the Braves. We’ll see if Ohtani agrees soon enough.