3 reasons why Shohei Ohtani should be interested in joining the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are the latest team to be tied to free agent Shohei Ohtani with the team being listed as a potential option.
Atlanta Braves fans were given an exciting update on Monday with the news that the prized free agent of the offseason would be interested in joining the Atlanta Braves.
Before diving into the reasons that this makes sense for Shoehi Ohtani, let's look at it from the perspective of the Atlanta Braves
With Ohtani working his way back from an injury, he wouldn't be the much-needed addition to the Braves rotation. Still, the idea of signing one of the league's best players has to at least be a consideration for a team that has saved a lot of money locking up their young talent early on.
Aside from the lack of production in the immediate as a pitcher, this fit makes perfect sense for both sides. Atlanta isn't likely to spend what it would take to land the offseason's prized free agent, but the two sides are likely to at least explore a deal.
The problem for Atlanta is any deal to land Ohtani would mean bargain shopping to fill the clear needs in the rotation and in left field. A problem Braves fans would gladly accept in return for landing Ohtani, but still unlikely despite the clear reasons the star player is a fit for Atlanta.
1. Ohtani joins a lineup that offers unlimited protection
If you're Ohtani, looking around the league and considering what lineup can best support you, is there a better fit than Atlanta? As a hitter, you're going to slot in somewhere around the likely MVP, Matt Olsen, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Ozuna. It's a power-packed lineup that Ohtani can step into and see his production jump compared to his seasons with the Angels.
While the Angels have had Mike Trout, Ohtani has had his best seasons while Trout has had his worst and dealt with a myriad of injuries. There hasn't been a lot of protection or great hitters around one of the league's most exciting talents.
It is easy to make the assumption that Ohtani would see the most pitches to hit in his career. Atlanta's lineup is going to attract a lot of the league's best hitters. The problem for Atlanta is weighing the cost and where each player might fit. Ohtani has every reason to want to join this lineup. It should be considered the best in the league heading into the 2024 season despite the postseason failure. With Ohtani, it becomes a step past unstoppable.
2. Ohtani could prove to be the missing piece and the start of a dynasty
Ohtani has to be sick of losing and considering that heavily in his free agency decision. While the money plays a huge factor, Ohtani wants a chance to play meaningful games in October. Baseball fans are being robbed of seeing one of the league's most popular players in the most important games of the season.
Atlanta has a lone championship in 2021 since the start of this version of the team. One thing that has held Atlanta back each of the two postseasons is another elite pitcher and a weak back end of the lineup. Atlanta's offense simply needs to show up and be better when the postseason comes.
However, from Ohtani's perspective, you have a team with what appears to be an endless postseason window on the cusp of greatness. If Ohtani can come in and be the missing piece in beating the Phillies and making trips to the World Series, it is legacy-defining and doesn't hurt the wallet at all.
Ohtani needs a chance to play in the postseason and long term that chance is clearly best with the Atlanta Braves. Add in the chance (when healthy) to be the missing piece in a great rotation and lineup and Ohtani clearly has the right idea.
3. Atlanta Braves fans would embrace Ohtani
While this sentiment is true league-wide, the pressure and attention are a bit different in Atlanta. You get a very engaged fan base that loves their Atlanta Braves without the negative media attention Ohtani would be given on a lot of teams in the same market. Atlanta is the best of both worlds for a player who is going to have his every move broken down.
The league loves Ohtani and knows the player is one of the best paths to growing the game and getting young fans excited. If you're Ohtani, you want to take this into consideration and land in the best possible market.
Clearly, the Atlanta Braves and Ohtani are a fit on every level. Every level that is except for when you begin to consider the price of such a deal. It would be an unusual move for a franchise that has focused on growing and extending its own players, avoiding the highest-priced free agents.
If Atlanta spends top dollar for a player this offseason, it is far more likely to be one that can have an instant impact in the rotation. However, it remains fun to imagine, "What if?"
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