Shohei Ohtani: the Angels are increasingly one to watch

I can not believe it. More and more, we have to watch the Los Angeles Angels in the race for the services of star Shohei Ohtani, which is currently taking place.

Oh yes? Oh yes.

At the moment, the teams cited in the file (Blue Jays, Dodgers, Cubs, Giants, Braves and Angels, in particular) are in California, at the player's request, to meet him.

Blue Jays executives, like everyone else, refuse to say they're not in Nashville right now. Ross Atkins may try to hide it, but we know that he is not at the winter meetings.

Interesting day one Ross Atkins available.
He noted they've passed on some trade opportunities so far and said those discussions are very active around the league as everyone waits on Shohei.
On that front, #BlueJays made the GM available via Zoom because … he's not in Nashville.

— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) December 4, 2023

But the name of the Angels still comes up en masse today. And I'm not talking about Munenori Kawasaki (who says what he thinks, simply) or Ron Washingtonwho can't say anything.

First, there's Bob Nightengale who asked us to keep an eye on the Angels on the record.

Then, a few hours later, Buster Olney reported that according to an agent, it appears his chances of returning to Anaheim are good.

It's starting to make a lot of noise, all that. After all, he has his routine and his autonomy there.

Only Shohei Ohtani seems to know where he's going to sign, leaving everyone else to guess. One player agent thinks he's going back to the Angels, because of money, sure, but also because he is devoted to routine and no organization would offer him more autonomy than the Angels.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 4, 2023

Seeing Shohei Ohtani return to the LA American club would undoubtedly be the least exciting outcome of this entire saga. Without a doubt.

The Angels can't win with him and he seems to want to win more than anything. So I have big doubts about all of this.

If that's the case, the Blue Jays (who won't be signing two huge stars) will have to turn around. Will it be towards Juan Soto… or will it be towards Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

The Jays, who are under pressure, would have their noses in the file. It's the same for the Angels… although the Mets, Yankees, Giants and Dodgers seem well placed in the file.

And if Ohtani does indeed return to Anaheim, it will make some clubs desperate to get their hands on Yamamoto.

Because he is a formidable 25-year-old pitcher and the bidding game is doing its job, he could aspire to earn around $300 million, depending on what Jim Bowden hears.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the most sought after free agent on the market based on interested teams. His market started at $200-$220 m then went to $230-$250 m…now we're hearing he'll get close to $300 million. Not often 25 years old top of rotation starter becomes free agent.

— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) December 4, 2023

Anyway.

If Ohtani can make up his mind, which could happen in about a week if all goes well, the rest of the market will unlock.

• The Astros don't want to trade Alex Bregman.

• AJ Hinch staying in Detroit long term.

AJ Hinch has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the Tigers.

The terms of the deal were not announced by Tigers president of baseball operations, Scott Harris. pic.twitter.com/5S00bb1lF6

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 4, 2023

• Yadier Molina will have a role with the Cards, but not long term.

Yadier Molina will be a part of the #STLCards organization next year, John Mozeliak says, but his actual role is not yet finalized. Yadi will not be on the major-league coaching staff full-time, as he has family priorities in Puerto Rico.

— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) December 4, 2023

• Eduardo Rodriguez is in Nashville.

Star free agent starter Eduardo Rodriguez has been spotted in Nashville. He’s been meeting with teams since yesterday and has a couple more meetings tonight.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 4, 2023