As the clock ticks closer to the start of spring training games, let’s look at some of the latest MLB news and notes, including the potential plans for Shohei Ohtani this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers seeing a big change from a veteran bat, and the Milwaukee Brewers signing an interesting minor league deal.
MLB news and rumors: Shohei Ohtani “earned the right” to explore free agency
If the Los Angeles Angels and Ohtani can’t work out some kind of long-term arrangement before the end of the season, Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, told reporters on Monday that the two-way superstar has “earned the right” to explore free agency once the season ends.
There are several factors at play, of course, including whether the Angels can find a way to keep the 28-year-old Ohtani and just how the Angels do this season. Balelo said that Ohtani has also earned the right to “play through the year” and “see where it shakes out.”
While the news isn’t a complete surprise, it also lights a fire under the Angels to know they are on the clock. If they can’t work something out, these are the teams one MLB insider expects to be in the running for Ohtani’s services next season and beyond.
You can read more of Balelo’s words and what they might mean for the future of Ohtani and the Angels here.
Los Angeles Dodgers news: Jason Heyward changes stance, pushes for roster spot
A year after slashing .204/.278/.277 in just 151 plate appearances for the Chicago Cubs, the 33-year-old Heyward seems to have reinvented himself after signing a minor league deal with the Dodgers this offseason.
The photos might not show it that much, but there’s a pretty big change in Jason Heyward’s stance pic.twitter.com/6qLjFXQnB2
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 20, 2023
The Dodgers are hoping the change in stance will bring an uptick in production for Heyward, a player that is now expected to make the Opening Day roster by one Dodgers beat writer. It’s quite a turnaround after the Cubs announced in August that Heyward wasn’t a part of their future plans.
He’s gonna make the team https://t.co/lVBUtqBH4s
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 20, 2023
You can read more about the change in stance and how the Dodgers and Heyward have connected here.
Milwaukee Brewers news: Luke Voit signed to minor league deal
Hoping to once again show he can be a force at the plate and overcome injuries and offensive inefficiencies that have limited him over the last two seasons, the 32-year-old Voit inked a deal with the Brewers.
Voit has been in the middle of trade rumors since his 2021 campaign with the New York Yankees, and finally was dealt last season as a member of the San Diego Padres to the Washington Nationals as part of the Juan Soto deal. While Voit started the year on a decent pace with the Padres, his numbers fell off when sent to the Nationals. Can he rebound in 2023 and make the Milwaukee roster?
Read more about the transaction and what it might mean for the Brewers and Voit here.