Major free-agency rumors about Shohei Ohtani emerge

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani seems likely to leave the Los Angeles Angels in free agency this fall or winter, but he may not sign the monster long-term contract many expect as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

For a piece published Thursday, MLB insider Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reported that "there's some growing buzz that Ohtani will want" to sign a shorter deal so that he can pitch in 2025 "and maybe 2026" before he could potentially reach free agency again. 

"This would mean signing for something like a six-year deal at a high [average annual value] (let's say $55-60M per year) with an opt-out or two that he intends on using," McDaniel wrote. 

Ohtani underwent surgery in September and isn't expected to pitch before the spring of 2025. Since last winter, the generational talent has repeatedly been linked in rumors with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it was reported even before the Texas Rangers won the World Series that they could take a big swing at landing Ohtani.

The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants are also among the advertised favorites to win the Ohtani sweepstakes. 

Interestingly, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reported on Thursday that "executives from the general managers' meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, have brought up the possibility of Ohtani transitioning to a corner-outfield spot or perhaps first base eventually in his career." 

Ohtani previously underwent Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2018, and some have wondered if it's a matter of "when" a team will shut the 29-year-old down as a pitcher to get the most out of his batting talents. 

Gonzalez noted that former Angels manager Joe Maddon thought Ohtani "looked natural" while taking outfield reps during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Gonzalez added that Ohtani made 64 appearances as an outfielder during his career in Japan. 

For what it's worth, McDaniel also thinks a team could lock Ohtani down via a 10-year, $520M contract. Even as just a designated hitter, Ohtani's marketability makes him a free agent unlike any who has come before him.