Posted on: December 6, 2023, 11:56h.
Last updated on: December 6, 2023, 12:31h.
Two-time MLB MVP Shohei Ohtani is currently a free agent, and the Los Angeles Dodgers (-175 odds) and Toronto Blue Jays (+160) are the betting favorites to add the most coveted player on the open market.
Whichever team lands Ohtani will see a huge boost in their World Series futures. The public tends to overreact to free-agent signings, and Ohtani is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The two-way star from Japan isn’t expected to pitch next season, but he will handle designated hitter duties until his elbow heals.
Shohei Ohtani Next Team Odds
| Team | Odds |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -175 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +160 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +700 |
| San Francisco Giants | +800 |
| Chicago Cubs | +1000 |
| Atlanta Braves | +2000 |
| Seattle Mariners | +2500 |
| New York Yankees | +2800 |
| New York Mets | +2800 |
| Texas Rangers | +2900 |
| San Diego Padres | +4000 |
| Boston Red Sox | +5000 |
The defending World Series champion Texas Rangers are +2900 odds to add Ohtani in free agency. The Rangers were a huge underdog to win the championship heading into last season, but they’re +900 odds to run it back and win the World Series in consecutive seasons. The Rangers could become the outright favorite if they can persuade Ohtani to play baseball deep in the heart of Texas.
West Coast Ohtani: Dodgers, Angeles, Giants, Mariners, Padres
According to Ohtani’s agent and representation, teams will be penalized if they discuss the negotiating process with the media, which is why the pursuit of Ohtani has been shrouded in secrecy.
Ohtani has hinted that he’d like to remain on the West Coast due to its proximity to Japan. If that’s the case, then five teams are in contention to sign him.
Ohtani spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and won the AL MVP twice. The Angels could have traded Ohtani at the deadline even though they were long shots to make the postseason. Yet the Angels stood pat and were buyers at the deadline. They missed the playoffs but hoped the sentiment demonstrated their willingness to re-sign Ohtani. The Angels are +700 odds and the third-highest team on the prop betting board.
The Dodgers are the betting favorite to sign Ohtani at -175 odds. They’re willing to hand over a blank check to Ohtani. The Dodgers also have an inside track because Ohtani already spent six seasons in Southern California.
If Ohtani wants to remain in California but leave LA, then the San Francisco Giants (+800) and San Diego Padres (+400) are potential options.
The Seattle Mariners have an outside shot at adding Ohtani at +2500 odds. Seattle has a thriving Japanese ex-pat scene. Ohtani gushed about his love of Seattle when he appeared at the 2023 All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park in July.
Oh Canada, Ohtani
Ohtani to the Blue Jays has gathered the most momentum over the last few days, even with the talks shrouded in secrecy.
General manager Ross Atkins has been trying to work out a deal that could be worth more than $500 million.
Anything that we share about meetings that have occurred or haven’t occurred only hurts our chances to acquire talent,” Atkins said in a recent interview. “So we’ll follow the lead of the stakeholders in cases of free agents on what’s the most comfortable, what is best, what gives us the best possible chance to make our team better.”
The Blue Jays advanced to the playoffs as an AL wild-card team three times over the last four seasons. They were quickly eliminated and swept all three times. The Blue Jays averaged over 90 wins in the last three seasons and went 89-73 last season, but still clinched an AL wild-card berth.
The addition of Ohtani would make the Blue Jays legit World Series contenders. The Blue Jays are +1600 odds to win the World Series, and they’re the eighth-highest team on the MLB futures board.
The Blue Jays saw the biggest jump in their odds to sign Ohtani over the last week, and they’re now +160 odds to become Ohtani’s new team according to Bet365.
Ohtani Not So Keen on the Big Apple
The New York Yankees have deep pockets and the Bronx Bombers are always in contention to sign a big-time free agent. Ever since renowned hedge fund manager Steve Cohen bought the New York Mets, he’s been willing to splurge in free agency.
The Mets had a big offseason last winter and signed multiple free-agent pitchers. After a disastrous season, the Mets shipped out Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander before the trade deadline. The Mets are interested in adding another top hurler like Ohtani, even if he’s not ready to pitch for another season.
Ohtani and slugger Pete Alonso would make a dangerous duo in the heart of their lineup, but the Mets are +2800 odds to add Ohtani in free agency.
The Yankees signed Hideki Matsui, the former superstar from the Yomiuri Giants, in 20002. Matsui spent seven seasons in pinstripes and was named to two All-Star teams. In 2009, Matsui helped lead the Yankees to a championship and he was named the World Series MVP. The Yankees haven’t won a World Series since Matsui left the team in 2010.
The Yankees would love to add another Japanese star like Matsui, but word on the street is that Ohtani is skittish on heading to the Big Apple and prefers the West Coast to the East Coast. Ohtani is +2800 odds to sign with the Yankees.
