MLB rumors: Assessing chances of Braves signing Shohei Ohtani

Look for the Atlanta Braves to potentially entertain signing Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani in his impending free agency this upcoming offseason.

Although the Los Angeles Angels stand a good chance at retaining him, the Atlanta Braves can offer Shohei Ohtani what most MLB franchises cannot: Consistent winning.

We have never seen a baseball talent quite like Ohtani before. It is why he will command probably all the money in the world when he hits the open market in his free agency next winter. While major-market clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees will be all about acquiring him, what are the chances the Braves sneak in as a total dark horse?

It will come down to one thing for Ohtani to go to the Braves: Does he want to win above all else?

MLB rumors: What are the chances Atlanta Braves could sign Shohei Ohtani?

I’m going to be totally honest with you. This isn’t happening. I know how the Braves operate under Alex Anthopoulos, so they are not about to pay an absurd amount of money for anyone, even if it is for a transcendent star like Ohtani. Yes, I would argue that he is the type of player to make an exception for, but I would envision him signing with either Los Angeles or New York franchise first.

If I had to pick the favorite to land him, it would have to be the Dodgers. He would get to stay in a huge media market, wouldn’t have to move, get paid and win big. Of course, the Dodgers could potentially be on the downtick of their competitive life cycle. I think they will turn it around in the second half of the season. Plus, Ohtani would still have the ability to go hide in a city full of stars.

Should the Braves somehow sign Ohtani, it could go down as their best free-agent acquisition since John Schuerholz brought Greg Maddux to Atlanta from the Chicago Cubs. Conceivably, that could be Anthopoulos’ home-run cut in free agency worth taking. Regardless, I trust the best general manager in all of baseball to make the best moves for the team, with or without Ohtani.

For as cool as it would be to see Ohtani star in The ATL, this is almost certainly not happening, bro.