6 most interesting landing spots for Shohei Ohtani this offseason

Where could Shohei Ohtani land this offseason? Here are six possibilities.

1. Los Angeles Angels

Yes, this is the boring result this offseason and not an incredibly likely one. However, Ohtani staying with the Angels shouldn't be completely written off. The Angels would need to rebuild the rotation but clearly, the team has talent and is looking to reset the culture after another failure of a season.

Ron Washington and the leadership he will bring around him is the perfect change for this team. As frustrating as Ohtani staying with the Angels would be in the immediate, if things turn for the Angels, it would give MLB fans what they have wanted each of the past few seasons — the chance to watch Ohtani and Trout play in meaningful baseball games in October.

Staying with the Angels keeps this duo together and gives Washington a chance to help right what has been mishandled talent. The obvious downside to this move is Ohtani joining the same team that has been expected to be a playoff contender and failed isn't exciting, but it makes sense when you consider what the Angels will be without their franchise star.

To keep Ohtani, the Angels would need to be willing to make a myriad of free agency moves and prove they can build a team worthy of keeping the league's most unique talent.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Since landing Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts over the past few seasons, the Dodgers' splashy moves have slowed. There was a time when any top free agent hit the market, you could expect the Dodgers to be in the mix. Keeping Ohtani in California and offering the star the Dodger brand makes a lot of sense. Clearly, the Dodgers have taken a step back with the Braves being the favorite and young underdog teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies thriving in the postseason.

To once again be the favorite in the league, the Dodgers need this type of splashy move. Dodgers fans would embrace the star and it would be a perfect fit from a marketing standpoint. However, you have a Dodgers team dealing with a myriad of pitching injuries already.

Their big spending needs to be fixing the rotation and Ohtani isn't going to help the rotation right away. Ohtani is an investment that would pay for itself when you consider what the star brings. However, do the Dodgers prefer to chase players who can contribute to the rotation in the immediate?

3. Atlanta Braves

As we discussed here, Ohtani having interest in the Atlanta Braves makes sense at every level when you look at the market, lineup, and how he would fit into this team. After Charlie Morton likely leaves next offseason, you have a clear pitcher to step in. Signing Ohtani makes your already incredible lineup unstoppable. Who wants to attempt to wade through a team that would have four legitimate MVP contenders in their top five?

Ohtani knows that joining this lineup will give him far more chances to hit and a chance to play in meaningful games. The problem with this deal is it is outside of Atlanta's comfort zone. The franchise tends to target bargain veteran deals and extend their own talent. This is a great mentality and clearly working. However, Ohtani could be the missing piece that pushes you back to the World Series and continued regular season dominance.

4. New York Mets

Only the Cardinals could contend with the Mets last season when it comes to the most frustrating teams in the National League. The Mets clearly are so far behind the Braves and Phillies in their own division. They have an owner desperate to win and willing to spend whatever it takes. Adding Ohtani to a talented and underachieving core would make the Mets a must-watch team and give them back the steam they lost in the 2023 season.