Since he suffered a UCL tear, questions have been lingering about the true market value for Shohei Ohtani. One would assume that if he is unable to pitch right away, the hybrid's contract amount will be slashed at least somewhat. Well, apparently the allure of the Los Angeles Angels superstar is strong enough to compensate for any current limitations.
While there is a belief by some MLB executives that Ohtani will need to prove that he can still handle his regular starting pitching duties in order to sign a truly mind-boggling deal, others from big-market front offices think otherwise.
“A few execs from larger markets opined that Ohtani is such a special talent and unique case that it will take half-a-billion dollars to land him even if he can’t be that pitcher again,” Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported. The soon-to-be two-time MVP's transcendent star power will be a huge economic boost for any franchise and city he joins. The pitching component of his game is starting to sound like a mere bonus.
While a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 23 starts puts Ohtani in position for arguably the greatest baseball season of all-time, his robust offensive numbers alone make him a surreal force of greatness. He had 44 home runs and 95 RBIs in early September before being sidelined with an oblique injury. If he returns soon, 50 bombs is surely attainable. In the modern game, those stats are typically accompanied by a less-than stellar batting average. His sits at .304.
Somehow, even with the health setbacks, Shohei Ohtani has had a better contract year than Aaron Judge. He will enter free agency as possibly the most sought-after commodity in American sports history. And do so without any red flags apparently attached to him. At least in the eyes of those pursuing him.
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