(Chicago) The figure will follow Shohei Ohtani until the case comes to a conclusion. We’re not talking about his number of home runs as a hitter, or his strikeouts as a pitcher, or any of the other great stats he’ll display on the field. Nothing of that. How much is it. Like, how much will his next contract pay?
Ohtani is one of a group of players who will begin their final season this weekend before becoming eligible for free agency with Major League Baseball. There is still time for contract signings and press conferences before the start of the campaign, but the past shows that signing a new contract becomes less likely once the fixtures have started.
There’s no real precedent for putting a value on Ohtani’s remarkable skills, especially after the massive amount of money paid out to players during the offseason. And that’s not taking into account the potential business opportunities that come with being the only truly global Major League star.
He had a .273 batting average last season, his fifth with the Los Angeles Angels, with 34 home runs and 95 RBIs. The 2021 American League Most Valuable Player also went 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts.
Ohtani has prepared for the upcoming campaign by leading Japan to the World Baseball Classic championship. Among other things, he sealed the outcome of the ultimate match against the United States by retiring Mike Trout, his Angels teammate, on three strikes in a 3-2 victory.
The Japanese, who will celebrate his 29e birthday next July, could set several records thanks to his next contract. It is possible that he receives an average annual salary of around 45 million US and, in all, 500 million.
If the Angels are no longer in contention in the AHL West, Ohtani’s name will likely rise to the top of the list of players in the trade market.
If, instead, the team maintains its chances of making the playoffs, the pressure will mount on the Angels to move before losing Ohtani to the free agent market for nothing more than a compensatory draft pick.
So, yes, the stakes are high when it comes to Ohtani and the Angels.
Here is a portrait of the situation of five other players who could become free agents after the 2023 season.
Matt Chapman, third baseman, Toronto Blue Jays
Chapman hit 36 home runs and scored 91 runs with the Oakland Athletics in 2019. He failed to repeat that level of production, but the winner of three Golden Gloves at third base completed last season, his first in a Blue Jays uniform, with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs in 155 games.
Chapman will celebrate his 30e April 28 birthday. One of the best defensive players in his position for many years, Chapman is represented by Scott Boras, who has a habit of encouraging his clients to take advantage of their free agent status.
Aaron Nola, right-handed pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
Nola, who will celebrate her 30e birthday in June, went 11-13 with a 3.25 ERA in 32 starts with the Phillies last year. He also had a career-high 235 strikeouts in 205 innings with the National League champions.
Nola was selected by the Phillies seventh overall in the 2014 entry draft. During training camp, the two sides began talks to extend the right-handed pitcher’s contract, but no agreement was reached.
Teoscar Hernandez, outfielder, Seattle Mariners
Hernandez moved to the Mariners in a trade from the Blue Jays in November. Last year, he batted .267 with 25 home runs and 77 RBIs. He had been sensational in 2021, when he posted a .296 average, with 32 homers, 116 RBI and an .870 presence/power average.
The change of scenery could help Hernandez, 30, land a lucrative contract. In 16 career games at T-Mobile Park, home of the Mariners, Hernandez is batting .357 with three home runs and seven RBIs.
Ian Happ, outfielder, Chicago Cubs
Happ, a 28-year-old ambidextrous hitter, had possibly his best campaign since arriving in the major leagues last season. He set career highs with an average of .271, 72 RBI and 42 doubles in 158 games. He also won his first Golden Glove and was elected to the National All-Star Team for the very first time.
The Cubs have had trouble getting deals with their own players in recent years. On Monday, however, they signed outfielder Nico Hoerner to a three-year, $35 million deal.
Julio Urias, left-handed pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
Urias, who will celebrate his 27e birthday in August, will likely be one of the most coveted players if he ever claims freelance.
In 31 starts in 2022 as the National League West champions, he went 17-7 with a league-leading 2.16 ERA.
His performances earned him a third place finish in the Cy-Young Trophy race in the National League.
Urias is also a client of Agent Scott Boras.