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How Ohtani's Injury Could Give Atlanta Braves a Chance to Sign Him in 2024

Ohtani's torn UCL could steer him to a short-term deal to give him time to rehab and prove he can still pitch before locking down a long-term contract. With this change in circumstances, we take a look at how the Braves could be a contender to sign Shohei Ohtani.

By Seth Carter |
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The Atlanta Braves are not necessarily in the market for a big bat this offseason. The Braves lead all of baseball in runs, RBIs, HRs, batting average, etc... This offseason, it is more likely that the Braves are in the market for starting pitching.

One of the best pitchers in the game just happens to also be one of the best hitters. Shohei Ohtani is at the top of any fan's free agent wish list this offseason. Ohtani was on his way to a $500,000+ deal before he tore his UCL. Ohtani will no longer pitch next year and has a long road back to the mound.

So, the Braves were not going to be in on Ohtani prior to the injury. They don't overpay for players and that's what you generally have to do to get superstars. Alex Anthopoulos (God bless him) let Dansby Swanson, Josh Donaldson, and Freddie Freeman walk because he stuck to his guns on assessing a dollar value for their production.

Generally, not only do you overpay but you pay too long. Anthopoulos has proven that he can usually find a much better value, allowing him to absolutely load the team up with talent.

Now that Ohtani will only be a bat next season he might seek a short-term contract to prove he's still... Ohtani. What does that mean for the Braves?

Now that Ohtani will only be a bat next season, could the Braves be in on him?

Detroit Tigers v Los Angeles Angels
Detroit Tigers v Los Angeles Angels / John McCoy/GettyImages

One thing Anthopoulos has is a history of one-year prove-it deals. We've seen such deals with players like Josh Donaldson, Marcell Ozuna, and Cole Hamels. If Ohtani can't get the long-term deal he wants, he may go for a short-term, high-dollar deal for a couple of years to prove himself on the mound before pursuing the long-term deal that every Major Leaguer desires. You know, the kind of money that will allow Ohtani to buy small islands and human souls. That's the kind of money he really wants.

Why it is still unlikely the Braves will pursue Ohtani

The Braves would have to either play Ozuna in the outfield or trade him. Granted, trading Ozuna is not a bad option after the numbers he put up this year. Ohtani played some outfield in his early NPB days but it seems unlikely that he or the team paying him will be interested in signing him as an outfielder. The Braves need to address starting pitching more than a bat.

Outside of Strider, Elder, and Fried, the Braves have questions. Will Charlie Morton retire or get old? Will Kyle Wright return to 2022 form? Will Michael Soroka be a big-league-caliber pitcher again?

Also Read: 3 Reasons You Haven't Heard the Last of Michael Soroka

How Braves Could Sign Ohtani in 2024

Los Angeles Angels v Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Angels v Seattle Mariners / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

You can never have enough pitching. If they want to move Ozuna, this offseason would be the time. Ozuna is under team control for the next two years at $16 million a pop. He has a 2025 club option, which gives the team an out if he falls off the map again next season. However, $16MM/year is a pretty good deal for the numbers he put up this year.

Ozuna has been a streaky player with some pretty high highs and really low lows. I think anyone would be happy to swap Ozuna out for yet another MVP candidate. If Ohtani signs a short-term deal, two years would allow him to prove he can still pitch in the final year.

If the Braves give Ozuna away it would give them some budget space. But how much are they willing to spend for a year or two? Let's be real, Ohtani is going to run around $40MM+ per year, and that's just for the bat. That might be too much.

One other thing the Braves have going for them is that they are the best team in baseball. Ohtani is tired of losing. He wants to play for a winner. Enough is enough and it's time for a change! No more nugget teams like the Angels!

So, maybe the Braves could sign Ohtani and let him prove himself. It seems like a long shot to me but the Ohtani watch should be very interesting this offseason.

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