The Texas Rangers have bullpen problems and could use a starter. But there is one player they would like to add to the roster, and he is now totally available. Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star, declined his one-year qualifying offer of $20.235 million, allowing him to pursue free agency fully.
While the Rangers may not have been a serious candidate to sign the generational talent away from a American League West rival when the season started, much has changed. Texas is the World Series champion, armed with a roster of offensive talent and an owner who has shown a willingness to spend the past two offseasons.
On Monday, a report from CBS Sports said that Ohtani was less concerned about geography and more concerned about going to a team that can be competitive and give him a chance to go to the playoffs, something he has not done in his Major League career. Ohtani is, without question, the No. 1 free agent this offseason, even with the torn UCL that ended his season and led to the second Tommy John surgery of his career.
Ohtani and his representatives have made it clear that he is open to being solely a designated hitter in 2024, but is intent on pitching again once fully rehabbed from surgery. The recovery of Bryce Harper may mitigate concerns that Ohtani can’t contribute significantly at the plate in 2024.
Harper had the same surgery in November of 2022 and made the fastest return of any position player in MLB history. He was back in the batter’s box in late May. He went on to win a Silver Slugger as a designated hitter. Ohtani finished 2023 with a slash line of .304/.412/.654/1.066 with an AL-leading 44 home runs and 95 RBI. As a pitcher he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks.
For his career, he is a three-time All-Star, 2018 AL Rookie of the Year and 2021 AL MVP. He’ll find out later this week if he’s an AL MVP for the second time. If the Rangers were to land Ohtani, he would join a lineup that was among the most powerful in baseball last season. Second baseman Marcus Semien and shortstop Corey Seager are the other two finalists for AL MVP.
Last season, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe got a Silver Slugger, while Semien and Seager each received one this year. Adolis Garca was named the ALCS MVP, while Seager was named the World Series MVP. If not for a thumb injury, rookie third baseman Josh Jung would have been a Rookie of the Year nominee, and catcher Jonah Heim achieved career highs in home runs and RBI.
