Shohei Ohtani's Free Agency Sparks MLB Excitement.

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels star, is set to become a free agent after the World Series.

[{"selector":"#anim-4ca71b1a-c394-4641-b9df-13a142d71559","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aa4b1488-c4bd-4e1a-82c4-c603e09ba13a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 214.54834%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Ohtani is expected to command the largest contract in MLB history, even if he doesn't pitch in 2024.

[{"selector":"#anim-ceef2883-6c0d-4179-a54d-8c47493ac2ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81063dd9-521f-4640-a177-1bc91efe8042","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 234.70994%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Many MLB contenders are interested in acquiring Ohtani for their teams.

[{"selector":"#anim-0aea0bb9-ec22-45bf-a4a5-13a1e8387d20","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2bae0680-687a-49f7-b2eb-0ed236df5071","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 302.55426%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Boston Red Sox have emerged as a surprising contender in the pursuit of Ohtani.

[{"selector":"#anim-43319511-2c9b-4087-9c40-1b57d81f4eff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4db8df64-6264-4cd7-9e6c-a20ef55b606d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 228.51523%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

An NL executive familiar with Ohtani suggests that he may have an interest in joining the Red Sox.

[{"selector":"#anim-289bce8f-bc26-46e5-9f71-17cc1969def6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-34e08a63-e86e-406a-a90a-a157ae126906","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 243.55948%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

One significant reason for this potential interest is Ohtani's relationship with New Balance CEO Jim Davis.

[{"selector":"#anim-6083a577-b6e3-41af-9154-bc95470f5b7e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cc175bc-902b-4fb3-b2d8-366c332e32a5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 203.75700%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Ohtani is primarily a designated hitter (DH), which could create challenges for his prospective team.

[{"selector":"#anim-b5299272-0a64-4e5c-963a-69d82d16ed17","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20af7528-726c-4fa4-84b8-2dfcd02dcc77","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 199.44047%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

To accommodate Ohtani, the Red Sox may need to move Masataka Yoshida to left field despite his subpar defensive stats.

[{"selector":"#anim-fcfccf0e-805a-4307-83bb-6e51f2158e64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-292b6710-f9b2-4e63-8a24-f7b4b3a5fbd9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 181.45484%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Ohtani's exceptional talent makes such sacrifices worthwhile for any team. The Red Sox believe that signing Ohtani could greatly

[{"selector":"#anim-6f8c6c48-a699-4820-8094-4947173a5a49","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e669fe1-5527-4a34-b875-3584936cb0b7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 183.26642%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

enhance their chances of making the postseason and potentially competing for a championship.

[{"selector":"#anim-57199ae0-c55d-429c-a0b3-599514514f41","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20d62566-20c3-460e-95b2-812a1961d25c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 246.21437%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]