Superstar Shohei Ohtani, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels but now one of the most prominent free agents in MLB history, is reportedly nearing a decision on his next destination.
Per multiple reports, he is expected to make up his mind this week.
Naturally, MLB teams have been lining up for his services, making him pitches of their cities and projects.
At this point, there are three favorites to sign him: the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Toronto Blue Jays.
You can go ahead and add another dark-horse candidate: the Atlanta Braves.
Wait, what?
The 104-win Braves?
Yes, that’s right.
“Sources: Braves are among the teams still engaged with Shohei Ohtani’s camp, as I reported in this @MLBNetwork segment,” MLB insider Jon Morosi tweeted.
Sources: Braves are among the teams still engaged with Shohei Ohtani’s camp, as I reported in this @MLBNetwork segment. @MLB pic.twitter.com/lP4lISzttN
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 4, 2023
Atlanta didn’t need Ohtani to go 104-58 this past season, by far the best record in baseball.
They do, however, need him to navigate the deep waters of the postseason, a place where they have fallen in the first round in consecutive years.
Having a dominant hitter like Ohtani (a two-time MVP in the American League who hit .304 with 44 home runs, 95 RBI, and a 1.066 OPS this year with the Angels) would make the Braves offense historically great.
It already is, but Ohtani would make it even more dominant.
The hope is for the Japanese star to be able to pitch in 2025, and from that year, he would join a deep and talented Braves rotation and potentially replace Max Fried if the team can’t retain him.
Can the Braves beat the odds and sign Ohtani, though?
Hang on to your seats, because this week will be crucial.
NEXT: Braves Ace Gives His Pitch To Free Agents