5 Shohei Ohtani free-agent frontrunners that meet all of his wishlist items

Shohei Ohtani Rumors: Dodgers remain the most likely landing spot

For as much steam as the Cubs have recently gained, for as much sense as teams like the Rangers, Red Sox and Giants would make as Shohei Ohtani landing spots, the fact of the matter is that the team leading the charge remains the same: the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Going back to a quiet 2022-23 offseason and certainly at the trade deadline this year, we all heard that the Dodgers were remaining patient. Yes, part of that was due to the fact that they were still a 100-win team in the regular season (playoff shortcomings aside), but it was also with the pursuit of Ohtani this offseason in mind. They were gearing up for the big play.

Obviously, we already know that the Dodgers check two of the three wishlist items. Even if LA has come up short in the playoffs the past few years, they are wired for winning and have been doing a lot of that in the 162-game schedule. Moreover, Ohtani has already seen the marketing power of being in Los Angeles, and that's while being a member of the less prominent organization in the city.

Though the Dodgers' interest has been a poorly-kept secret, though, the front office has been able to keep their big moves largely under wraps in terms of the machinations of making them happen. That should be enough to appease Ohtani's desire to keep these proceedings quiet.

At the end of the day, the Dodgers still make the most sense. They clearly check every wishlist item off, are on the West Coast, which was once a preference, and every indication is that they are all-in on getting Ohtani to the Dodgers. It might truly be a case where him signing anywhere other than LA could be considered the upset or surprise option.