The Field Narrows: Mets, Rangers, Red Sox Shifting Away From Ohtani

[Brock Beauchamp]

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported today that the Mets, Rangers, and Red Sox are shifting their focus away from free agent Shohei Ohtani. The Rangers, recent big-spenders in free agency, could be in a state of flux with reports being released they could be the next victim of the Bally Sports bankruptcy.

This follows reports that the Mariners are also unlikely to sign the free agent two-way player.

As the field narrows, this is good for the Cubs and Cubs fans. Given the Padres' recent financial troubles and the unfortunate death of primary stakeholder Peter Seidler, they feel like an unlikely destination for Ohtani.

By most accounts, that whittles Ohtani's potential suitors to four teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers (widely believed to be the favorites), the San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees, and the Chicago Cubs.

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[chopsx9]

FWIW Toronto media claiming the Jays are one of the final four teams.

[Brock Beauchamp]

19 hours ago, chopsx9 said:

FWIW Toronto media claiming the Jays are one of the final four teams.

Yeah, I remembered that after I wrote this. Thanks for the reminder, Toronto definitely appears to be in play.

[Jssanto]

I don't understand how we can afford 500M. We still need two starting pitchers, bullpen, 1st base, 3rd base, and that assumes PCA can handle CF.

Can someone help me with how the money can work?

[Tim]

59 minutes ago, Jssanto said:

I don't understand how we can afford 500M. We still need two starting pitchers, bullpen, 1st base, 3rd base, and that assumes PCA can handle CF.

Can someone help me with how the money can work?

Sure...

1. We don't have to pay all $500M this year
2. There's a fair bit of room in the budget, with room for expansion under the right circumstances
3. Ohtani is the right circumstance
4. The only big budget option at 1B or 3B in FA is Chapman, who is a very risky sign
5. We don't really need two starting pitchers.
6. The Cubs make a ton of money anyway, but will make much, much more with Ohtani

[Jssanto]

On 12/4/2023 at 3:58 PM, Tim said:

Sure...

1. We don't have to pay all $500M this year
2. There's a fair bit of room in the budget, with room for expansion under the right circumstances
3. Ohtani is the right circumstance
4. The only big budget option at 1B or 3B in FA is Chapman, who is a very risky sign
5. We don't really need two starting pitchers.
6. The Cubs make a ton of money anyway, but will make much, much more with Ohtani

Thanks. I guess you are right. It just seems too much for one guy. 

But now it looks like most guys feel we are out of it.

The Reds got some guys, Cards did too. I would like to get somebody.