As the Major League Baseball postseason nears its conclusion, fans and analysts eagerly anticipate the upcoming free agency. Many big names are on the market going into the offseason, but none bigger than Shohei Ohtani. A unique player who can pitch and hit at a high level, Otani continues to make headlines as the only two-way player in baseball.
There has already been a lot of buzz surrounding Ohtani’s future contract, with insiders predicting that he will secure a deal that easily surpasses $500 million, making it the richest contract in MLB history. Ohtani’s ability to significantly impact games in multiple ways is worth every penny. A player of this caliber only comes around once in a generation, if at all.
Ohtani demonstrated his value to the fullest in a two-game period in the summer of 2022. He faced the Kansas City Royals on June 21 and hit two home runs, racking up eight RBIs. The next day, the right-hander took the mound and struck out 13 batters, a remarkable achievement from a multi-talented player.
It’s undeniable that Ohtani, 29, has exceeded expectations and already has accomplished a lot in his career. It’s almost impossible to calculate his value, given he’s an exceptional talent expected to have global implications for the winner of the high-stakes competition for his services.
Last offseason, Aaron Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million contract, which became the largest free-agent deal in baseball history. The New York Yankees outfielder is one of their most famous players and the American League’s current home run leader. Unfortunately, Ohtani had to undergo Tommy John surgery earlier this year due to a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. Therefore, he will not be able to pitch until 2025. But despite his injury, Ohtani is still expected to receive a contract worth over $500 million due to his unique skills and high demand in the league. Many believe he will be available as a designated hitter on opening day next season.
The Minnesota Twins reportedly showed interest in acquiring Ohtani before the trade deadline. According to Ken Rosenthal, it was more than a standard regular check-in before the deadline. The Los Angeles Angels were performing well then, so they looked like contenders toward the end of the season. Trading Ohtani would have been a risky move for the Angels then. Despite being buyers at the deadline, LA flamed out immediately when passed. If the Twins could sign the superstar to a record-breaking deal in the offseason, what impact would it have on their roster?
The Angels have used a six-man rotation to keep Ohtani’s arm fresh, but the Twins may try something different. However, Minnesota’s rotation improved significantly last year, with several promising starters emerging. That could work to Ohtani’s advantage because Minnesota could rotate in more bullpen relief to fill gaps without overworking their pitchers.
On the other hand, relying on relievers to make spot starts would leave the Twins short-handed in the bullpen, which has been a problem area for them recently. Nevertheless, Ohtani can and could pitch deep into games for Minnesota, allowing the bullpen to rest. What would that rotation be with a healthy Minnesota lineup on the mound and Ohtani? Would it finally get Minnesota recognition as a serious contender having Pablo López, Shohei Ohtani, Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack, and maybe Sonny Gray if they re-sign him.
By signing Ohtani, the Twins could address two of their most significant needs for the upcoming season. He could fill the role of starting pitcher and designated hitter, having ended the 2023 season with impressive stats. Ohtani hit .304/.412/654, with 95 RBIs and 44 home runs last year. However, signing him could be complicated, considering the Twins’ uncertain roster next year.
It’s unlikely they would sign him quickly. If they did, he may need to learn a new position in the outfield or at first base. The DH spot is also up in the air, because Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton, and other players may rotate in. Paying an excessive amount for a player who only hits and doesn’t pitch would be a challenge for Minnesota. While Ohtani wants to play for a winning team, it’s too early to say if the Twins can remain competitive in the future despite their success last year.
Signing Ohtani to a long-term deal would be a significant commitment from the Twins because a mid-market team would be signing a league-record contract. However, whether it would be a wise move for Minnesota is uncertain. Ohtani’s versatility is impressive, and he could attract more fans to the team, much like Carlos Correa did when he was first signed. Still, it seems unlikely that the Twins, who have already spent $200 million on Correa and another $100 million on Buxton, would offer Ohtani a $500 million contract. Ohtani is going to demand a contract like that, and the Twins can afford it. But it would be unprecedented in team history.
The front office may be hesitant to make any more massive signings, given Correa’s lackluster hitting in the regular season and Buxton’s myriad injuries. In the sports world, it’s not uncommon for big-name players who sign multi-million dollar deals to struggle in their first season with a new team. That often leads people to question why so much money was spent on something that didn’t deliver the expected results.
As the MLB offseason approaches, many Twins fans hope the team will sign Ohtani. However, the more pressing question is not whether Minnesota should sign him. Instead, it’s whether a player of his caliber can truly help the Twins secure another World Series championship. Unlike some teams that buy up all the talent they can, Minnesota values a more strategic approach to building a winning team.
Look at the Arizona Diamondbacks, a mid-market team that doesn’t have a lot of big-name talent. Still, made it to the big game by simply playing the game and making the necessary plays. There’s no denying that if Minnesota were to acquire a player like Ohtani, they would instantly become serious contenders for the World Series every year. This could also open doors for other talented players to join the team. While I don’t expect the Twins to sign Ohtani this offseason, thinking about the possibilities and what he could bring to the team is exciting.
