Shohei Ohtani’s impact on baseball has been nothing short of revolutionary. As a unique two-way player, he possesses both elite pitching skills and prodigious power at the plate. Ohtani’s ability to dominate on the mound and launch home runs with ease has made him a prized free-agency candidate for every MLB team, including the New York Yankees.
The Yankees, who finished last in every other offensive chart this year, need someone like Shohei Ohtani to take charge. Not only that, Ohtani’s pitching skills will also ease the workload of ace Gerrit Cole. However, Yanks’ quest to land the two-way player will likely get murkier as the latter has an interesting outlook on the iconic Yankee stadium.
Shohei Ohtani Doesn’t Love Pitching In Yankee Stadium, Claims Renowned Journalist!
Shohei Ohtani, the remarkable two-way talent of the Los Angeles Angels, is set to become one of the most sought-after free agents in MLB next year. Despite suffering from the UCL tear, he is expected to be back to grind before the opening day of the 2024 season. However, the injury will keep the two-way player from pitching until 2025. Regardless, the setback won’t hurt his market value significantly. Ohtani just recorded the best year of his career. He finished the season with a .304 average of 44 home runs through 135 games. Thus, the Angels superstar can still become the costliest player in the league’s history.
However, it seems the Yankees’ quest won’t come through. As per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Shohei Ohtani does not adore pitching in the Yankee stadium. While the reasons remain unknown, the numbers speak for themselves. He allowed 11 runs in over three innings at the iconic ground in two career starts. Having said that, Ohtani earlier told Sarah Valenzuela of the LA Times that he does not have a substandard impression of the Yankee stadium at all. Regardless, if the two-player even has the slightest doubt, it can cause a problem for the Yankees. While the Bombers and their fans may dream of seeing him don the iconic pinstripes, the final outcome remains uncertain. Ultimately, Ohtani’s decision will be a deeply personal one, influenced by numerous factors beyond just the ballpark dimensions.
Yankees Linked To Cody Bellinger, Juan Soto In Blockbuster Trade
Even if Shohei Ohtani falls off the Yankees’ radar, the team has a sea of options to choose from. Cody Bellinger has been the most sought-after pick for the Bombers. They tried to acquire him during the trade deadline, but a change in playoff dynamics of the Chicago Cubs foiled their plan. Nevertheless, the New York-based team will likely fulfill the unfinished business as Bellinger enters free agency in 2024.
Besides Cody Bellinger, the Yankees are also loosely linked to Padres superstar Juan Soto. The 24-year-old has scaled new heights at just 24 years of age. And he is already considered one of the best hitters in the league. While the asking price could skyrocket, it’s worth the investment for the Yankees. As they will be looking to secure their future this off-season while looking for immediate solutions simultaneously.
