The number of teams showing serious interest in Shohei Ohtani has dwindled.
The Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers are turning their attention to other players after showing initial interest in the two-time AL MVP, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The remaining field of serious Ohtani suitors includes the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays, Passan's sources confirmed.
Despite being linked to the two-way superstar throughout the offseason, the San Francisco Giants' interest in Ohtani is unknown.
Ohtani's reported price tag appears set to be between $550 million and $600 million.
Negotiations between Ohtani and interested clubs appear to be entering the final stretch, with a small number of teams expected to meet with him and his representatives this weekend in Los Angeles, sources told Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.
The 29-year-old had another tremendous season in 2023, slashing .304/.412/.654 with a league-leading 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 20 steals as a hitter.
He also posted a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and 11.4 K/9 as a pitcher. Ohtani won't pitch next season after undergoing offseason elbow surgery.
