Dodgers Rumors: Atlanta Braves Very Much Alive In Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes
The Shohei Ohtani free agency sweepstakes are coming to a close pretty soon with the winter meetings taking place this week, and we should have more clarity on where he will call home going forward. The Dodgers remain the favorites to land the two-way superstar but are dealing with a few teams putting the pressure on to steal him away.
There has been some talk about the Atlanta Braves in the chase for Ohtani, but not many have seriously considered them a landing spot for him. However, one MLB insider is reporting that the Braves are still very much alive in the race for Ohtani, and that should terrify the Dodgers.
MLB insider Jon Morosi reported on MLB Network that the Braves are still engaged with the Ohtani camp, and that they could end up being a landing spot for him.
“One team that I think we have not been giving enough attention to in all of this, the Atlanta Braves. And Shohei in looking at his options, he has prioritized teams that have a chance to win sustainability.”
Per Jon Morosi via MLB Network
Ohtani ending up with the Braves is probably the worst possible place for him to go. Atlanta is the Dodgers direct competition at the top of the National League, and their adding him would make competing even harder for years to come.
Like the Dodgers, the Braves can offer Ohtani the chance to win a World Series every season and they have their core locked up long-term. It makes sense for him to consider them, and it seems that they have a good shot at signing him.
“The Braves have not been eliminated from this conversation. So at the very least, the Braves have I think, Lauren, as good of a chance as the Cubs or the Blue Jays or many other of the non-Dodgers teams we’ve talked about this offseason.”
Per Jon Morosi via MLB Network
The biggest question in all of this is whether the Braves will do what it takes to land Ohtani financially. His contract is expected to be the largest in baseball history and normally the Braves aren’t players at the top of the market.
This is something to closely watch over the next few days while his decision becomes finalized. His decision is coming down the pipeline soon and the hope is that when it’s all settled, the Dodgers will be his choice.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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