Shohei Ohtani
Finally, we arrive at the top free agent on the market this offseason and arguably the most incredible baseball player MLB has seen in Shohei Ohtani. What else is there to say about this guy? When he is healthy, he is a top of a rotation arm and one of the most valuable hitters in the game all rolled up in one player. As long as he is on the field with regularity, he is going to be a perennial MVP candidate and contributes in a way that no other player in baseball can.
The biggest question mark about Ohtani right now is his health. He had elbow surgery in September and had Tommy John surgery back in 2018, so it is fair to wonder how good he will look on the mound once he returns. However, he is expected to be able to hit for most or all of the 2024 season and that will keep teams very interested in signing him by itself.
The Giants, Dodgers, Angels, Mariners, and Red Sox have already been connected to Shohei's free agency and there will certainly be more teams that at least try to convince him to sign. Ohtani not only is basically two really good players in one package, but the marketing opportunities alone make considering him worthwhile.
For the Braves, the payroll issue is the biggest problem as Shohei is going to get eight to 10 years and could sign the largest contract in MLB history. The roster fit, especially in 2024 when he can only DH, is also a little dicey with Marcell Ozuna around and playing reasonable well again. However, most Braves fans would happily trade Ozuna and his off the field baggage away and use that money (and a bunch of other cash) to bring a generational player like Ohtani to Atlanta without blinking an eye.