Shohei Ohtani rumors: Surprise team still in, Jays want more, historic contract

Shohei Ohtani rumors: Next contract could exceed $600 million

Shohei Ohtani is going to sign the biggest contract in MLB history. That much is certain. As the MLB Winter Meetings start up, the bidding for Ohtani is intensifying. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the fight to land Ohtani could lead to the Japanese superstar's next contract not only beating Aaron Judge's $360 million record, but smashing it.

There is speculation that Ohtani could become the first MLB player to receive $600 million in a single contract, exceeding Judge's record contract by 67 percent. If Ohtani doesn't reach the $600 million benchmark, he will at least come close. The 29-year-old has received "multiple bids" north of $500 million already, per Heyman.

So, we can officially put the silly idea of Ohtani signing a short-term contract to bed. Ohtani won't be able to pitch next season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, but he should provide MVP-level support with his bat alone. The Angels' two-way star slashed .304/.412/.654 last season, bombing 44 home runs and 95 RBIs en route to the unanimous American League MVP award.

He is the consensus best player in baseball and he is quickly gaining steam in the G.O.A.T. conversation. The next step is to win postseason baseball games. One has to imagine the ability to compete will inform where Ohtani ends up next.

Shohei Ohtani rumors: Blue Jays are desperate to take the next step

The Toronto Blue Jays' front office has been mostly reserved and calculated in recent years, taking only a few major swings. Now, the floodgates have been opened. The Blue Jays are considered top contenders to sign Shohei Ohtani and trade for Juan Soto.

Ken Rosenthal and Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic provided a detailed report on why the Blue Jays' approach has so suddenly shifted. Gone are the days of financial conservatism in Toronto. The Jays are ready to contend for the World Series.

The primary reason Rosenthal and McGrath point to is Toronto's disappointing postseason exit. Now 0-6 in their past four postseasons, it's time for the Jays to go from upstart underdog to actual contender. There's no excuse for so consistently floundering in October. One potential solution, obviously, is to acquire one (or two) of the MLB's foremost offensive weapons.

Also, the Rogers Centre is currently undergoing $300 million renovations, which will increase ticket prices. That makes the Jays particularly vulnerable to a discontent fanbase, as a decrease in attendence and viewership could be catastrophic to ownership's financial goals. Ohtani would draw a huge market, both domestically and internationally.

Future contract negotiations for Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also loom on the horizon. Both hit free agency in 2025 and neither has signed an extension. That, combined with the increasing pressure on Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins and team president Josh Shapiro, has put the front office in win-now mode. Another disappointing season could lead to drastic personnel changes in the front office.

Toronto can bid all they want, but to actually land Ohtani or Soto is another matter entirely. The San Diego Padres' asking price for Soto is known to be astronomical. Ohtani might cost over $600 million. It's time for Toronto to put up or shut up.

Shohei Ohtani rumors: Braves still involved as potential surprise team

The accepted list of contenders to sign Shohei Ohtani has been whittled down to the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Cubs, Giants, Angels... and the Atlanta Braves?

Yes, according to Jon Morosi, who floated the Braves as a legitimate threat to sign Ohtani in a morning appearance on MLB Network. Atlanta has reportedly had "some conversations" with Ohtani's camp, and the two-way superstar is prioritizing the opportunity to win sustainably. It goes without saying, the Braves are well-built to address Ohtani's lack of postseason experience.

The Braves have Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Matt Olson all signed to long-term contracts. It would take some financial maneuvering elsewhere — perhaps a long-awaited Marcell Ozuna trade — but the Braves can easily clear the DH slot for Ohtani. He won't help the bullpen in the short term, but Ohtani is also expected back on the mound in 2025. The Braves' lack of high-end starting pitchers was glaring once the playoffs arrived.

Atlanta would be joining the two consensus MVP winners from last season, as well as the MLB's 2023 home run and RBI leader in Olson. Not to mention the other six All-Stars on the roster. That's a tantilizing thought. Ohtani would probably slot third in the lineup, behind Acuña and Albies, with Olson and Austin Riley moving to clean-up duty. The Braves' offense — which set records with its power last season — would become meaningfully more dangerous, all while addressing concerns about the pitching staff long term. Maybe that's worth $600 million to Alex Anthopoulos and the front office. The added publicity and marketing upside is gravy.

The Braves feel like a long shot to sign Ohtani just because of his high price tag, but Atlanta has managed to sign the rest of its stars to relatively affordable long-term contracts. Splurging on Ohtani would give the Braves a serious upper hand in the National League, and it's probably Ohtani's best chance to win postseason games on paper.