While the Los Angeles Dodgers are consistently seen as the favorites to sign Shohei Ohtani, a top MLB insider believes the Atlanta Braves are a very real threat in the chase for the two-way superstar.
There is no bigger story in the world of baseball than the free agency sweepstakes for Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani. Despite undergoing Tommy John Surgery for a second time this offseason, he is still expected to land a record-breaking contract this month that could exceed $600 million.
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Even before the 2023 MLB season ended, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been seen as the likely landing spot for the reigning American League MVP for several reasons. Firstly, it allows him to stay in Los Angeles and not have to uproot his family. Secondly, the Dodgers have the means to give him the massive contract his agent will be looking for.
However, the Dodgers have really been a top choice due to being a consistent winner over the last decade, and the Japanese star reportedly covets being on a team like that as much as anything this offseason. Yet, that same want may also be the reason why the Atlanta Braves need to be taken seriously in the Ohtani sweepstakes.
Atlanta Braves winning resume and core could be key in signing Shohei Ohtani
Earlier this week, MLB Network league insider Jon Morosi explained why Atlanta is the current sleeper team in the race for Shohei Ohtani.
“One team I think we have not been giving enough attention to in all of this, the Atlanta Braves,” Morosi said. “Shohei, in looking at his options, he has prioritized teams that have a chance to win sustainably. That’s why we talk about the Dodgers so much … The Braves, I’m told, have had some conversations with Ohtani’s camp and the Braves have not been eliminated from this conversation.
“I think the Braves have as good a chance as the Cubs, the Blue Jays, and many of the other non-Dodgers teams we’ve talked about this offseason … the Braves are a team that we cannot overlook in the Ohtani sweepstakes.”
Morosi also confirmed that competing on a winning team holds as much if not more weight than perceived notions that Ohtani wants to remain on the West Coast. Plus, the team having stars like National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley locked up for many more years is also something that would be appealing to Ohtani.
Along with winning a World Series in 2021, Atlanta has had six straight winning seasons and has won over 100 games in the last two. The team coming up well short of their goals in 2023 after winning 104 games could be a motivating factor in the organization breaking away from traditions to chase an elite free agent.
