Shohei Ohtani 'likely' to make free-agency decision by end of week?

 

The race to sign Shohei Ohtani in free agency has been veiled in secrecy, with Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, deliberately opting for a low-profile strategy in what is arguably the most high-profile free agency in baseball history. Consequently, there has been much speculation but limited concrete information about Ohtani's potential landing spot. However, there are signs that the two-time AL MVP might be approaching a decision.

According to information from MLB Network's Jon Morosi, a source suggests that Ohtani is likely to announce his choice within the week. However, it's worth noting that this timeline could mean the announcement will come after the conclusion of the Winter Meetings. Another perspective comes from USA Today's Bob Nightengale, who proposes that Ohtani will make his decision "certainly before the Christmas holidays," but more than a week from now, placing it around mid-December.

Whenever Ohtani makes his decision, it will undoubtedly mark a crucial day in the offseason calendar. Ohtani is widely anticipated to secure the largest contract in baseball history, and this has, to some extent, stalled the overall free agent market. Teams such as the Angels, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Giants, and Cubs have refrained from major transactions, awaiting clarity on whether they will be committing to a $500 million-plus contract for Ohtani. Consequently, other high-profile free agents are also on hold, anticipating the potential redirection of funds by these big-spending teams after Ohtani's decision.

Considering the date is only December 3, it's essential to recognize that the offseason is not even halfway through. Ohtani's deliberation time is not unusually prolonged, especially given the monumental financial implications and the profound impact any free agent decision can have on a player's life. It would have been more surprising if Ohtani had already made his decision at this relatively early stage of the winter.

The lack of insight into Ohtani's thought process makes it challenging to determine whether the mentioned five teams (or any undisclosed contenders) are genuine finalists. However, recent reports indicate that the Red Sox, Rangers, and Mets have taken a step back from the Ohtani sweepstakes, suggesting that either the bidding has become too steep or Ohtani's camp has signaled that these three clubs are no longer under consideration.