July 12th, 2023 at 12:00 pm 
by Ron Cervenka During Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star game, several members of the Fox broadcasting crew shared their opinions on what they believe will happen with just-turned-29-year-old (on July 5) soon-to-be free agent Shohei Ohtani, the Babe Ruth of our generation. And while the general consensus was that he will probably remain with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, popular Fox Sports and Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis opined what a good many of us believe – that in spite of already having two of the three best players in Major League Baseball on the planet on his team in Ohtani and fellow future Hall of Famer Mike Trout, Angels owner Arte Moreno‘s team probably will never get is what Ohtani (and every MLB player on the planet, for that matter) wants more that anything else – a World Series ring. (Sorry, Angels fans).
Now, we all know that it’s ‘all about the money’ (as we often hear ad nauseam), and despite the fact that Ohtani has already made more money than his kid’s kid’s kids can spend in ten lifetimes, the painfully brutal truth is that he will probably never win a ring with Moreno’s team. (Sorry, Angels fans).
That being said, and as Davis mentioned during his broadcast on Tuesday, Dodgers owner Stan Kasten has made it abundantly clear that Ohtani is on his and the other Dodgers owners’ radar as a potential target when he becomes a free agent at the end of this season.
Now granted, this is certainly more of a longshot (and wishful thinking) than a likelihood, but Otani himself said something during Tuesday’s Mid-Summer Classic that gave that longshot a little more traction when he said (through his interpreter) this immediately after the National League’s 2-1 All-Star Game win:
“Not just today but just watching guys overall, I feel like Mookie Betts really impresses me. He’s so versatile. He can play the outfield, play the middle infield. I think he’s very, very talented.”
That’s some pretty high praise about the other best MLB player on the planet.
(Fox Sports)
When asked which current MLB players have been actively trying to recruit him, Ohtani gave the expected politically (and financially) correct answer:
“I would like to keep that a secret. Even if someone said that, I don’t think I would be able to say it right here.”
That said, and in addition to the Dodgers, there has been widespread rumors that the hosts of the 2023 All-Star Game – the Seattle Mariners – are also ‘in’ on Babe Ohtani. But here again, this is also pure rumor and speculation; this with (very) loud chants of “Come to Seattle” echoing throughout T-Mobile Park from the 47,159 fans in attendance.
When asked about the loud and warm reception he received from enemy fans, Ohtani again gave the a politically (and financially) correct answer:
“Every time I come here the fans are passionate, they’re really into the game, so it’s very impressive. I actually spent a couple off-seasons in Seattle. I like the city. It’s beautiful.”
Although Los Angeles may not be as “beautiful” as Seattle, you’d probably find Los Angeles “very impressive” too, Shohei.
…not to mention the billion (with a ‘b’) dollars the Dodgers would probably be willing to give you over the next ten seasons or so.
Play Ball!
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“Wishful Thinking” nuff said. Dodgers had their chance when othani came to the US. Now that he is showing what he can do. Now you want him as a 2way player but did not give him the opportunity when he himself wanted to go to the Dodgers. What a joke? Sloppy seconds once again if this comes true
There was no DH in the National League when Dodgers originally recruited Ohtani, so he chose an AL team. That problem no longer exists.
No DH in NL when Ohtani chose the Angels. That problem no longer exists.
He will stay on the west coast. The Dodgers had their chance sometime ago. They would be crazy to buy a championship. And totally nuts to pay a player around $700 million a year.
No one is talking about 700 million a year. Where are you getting that number from?
As long as the Dodgers give Ohtani everything the Angels did in terms of calling his own shots plus north of $600 million he will sign with them. He would not have to move and would be on a team that makes the playoffs nearly every year and have the best chance of giving him what he really wants. A World Series ring.
Look for the Giants to be all in on Ohtani.
Giants may offer him a boat load but he wants no part of that scene in S.F. LA is not in good shape but it’s a larger market, wheather is superior and he is able to stay put. Dodgers have a much better chance at consistent runs in the playoffs. GO BLUE