Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday afternoon the team met with free agent Shohei Ohtani a few days ago for ‘two to three hours.’
‘Clearly, Shohei’s our top priority,’ Roberts said during the MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville.
The Dodgers are among the favorite to sign Ohtani because of the team’s standing within Major League Baseball as a team prepared to win a World Series , as well as the team’s payroll.
The Los Angeles Angels, where Ohtani has played since 2018 since coming to America, the Chicago Cubs, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the San Francisco Giants are thought to be the other frontrunners to land Ohtani.
Ohtani is thought to be the biggest free agent in the league’s existence and is expected to demand the largest contract in MLB history, with bidding for the 29-year-old believed to be approaching $600 million.
Shohei Ohtani will likely sign the biggest contract in baseball history when he picks a suitor
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed a meeting with Ohtani on Tuesday
The Dodgers confirmed their meeting with Ohtani after it was reported earlier Tuesday a long meeting between the Blue Jays and Ohtani took place on Monday.
Fellow Angel Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5-million deal that added two years and a massive pay bump to a current contract in 2019.
The largest free-agent contract in league history was signed by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge last offseason with a nine-year, $360-million deal, with New York retaining the power hitter.
The Angels haven’t made a playoff appearance since Ohtani’s arrival, and changing to the team’s crosstown rival would skyrocket his chances to play in the postseason.
Ohtani has won two of the last three American League MVP Awards, thanks in part due to his ability as a hitter and pitcher.
His value didn’t drop despite undergoing elbow surgery in September, and Ohtani isn’t expected to pitch again until the start of the 2025 season.
