Report: Braves among teams still engaged with Ohtani
Add the Atlanta Braves to the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes.
The Braves are among the teams still engaged with Ohtani's camp, sources told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
Atlanta joins a crop of teams connected to the two-time AL MVP, which includes the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers all reportedly took themselves out of the running in recent days.
Ohtani could add even more thump to the Braves' powerhouse offense, which includes 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley. Atlanta finished last season first in runs, home runs, isolated power, slugging percentage, offensive rating, and fWAR.
The 29-year-old two-way sensation is expected to make his free-agent decision within the next week and could be looking at a deal worth between $500 million and $600 million.
Ohtani, who won't pitch in 2024 after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, excelled once again last season. He hit a league-leading 44 home runs with 95 RBIs, 20 steals, and a 1.066 OPS, while logging a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings as a pitcher.
The Braves have been one of the most active teams of the offseason thus far, signing several players to deals and making numerous trades. They acquired outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-hander Marco Gonzales, and first baseman Evan White from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.