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Where will superstar pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani land in the coming months? That’s what Major League Baseball fans are wondering, as he’s set to hit free agency. When Ohtani originally signed with the Los Angeles Angels, plenty of people thought he’d be able to bring the franchise plenty of success. However, despite him and Mike Trout being partnered together, the team was a major disappointment. Now, the Dodgers are the favorites to sign Shohei Ohtani this winter.
Will it end up happening? This past season, it was considered terrible that the Dodgers were eliminated early on in the postseason. Fans couldn’t believe it, especially after the Texas Rangers stunned everyone and went on to win the World Series. People who checked the MLB betting odds this fall likely didn’t expect Texas to be players, but they definitely were – this was an issue for LA supporters.
| Ohtani odds |  |  |  |
| Dodgers | +150 | +150 | +150 |
| Blue Jays | +450 | +450 | +450 |
| Cubs | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Mariners | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
Looking ahead to next season, there are going to be a lot of changes on the way for the Dodgers. It’s clear this team needs some help in the middle of the lineup, while some strong pitching is also needed. Ohtani is the answer there for the future. He’s a star slugger with home-run power, but he’s also fantastic on the bump too. Ohtani may need surgery for his injured elbow, but that won’t keep him away from the dish next spring.
According to the best-rated sportsbooks, which includes the reliable Bovada review, the Dodgers hold +150 MLB betting odds to sign Ohtani this offseason. It’s going to take a massive contract to land his services, with experts believing Ohtani will receive the biggest contract in MLB history. The Dodgers would love to sign him but something tells us a different team will end up getting him to sign on the dotted line.
Where will Shohei Ohtani land? 🔮👀
Screenshot to find out! 📲 pic.twitter.com/TGDsvFRQP1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 27, 2023
The Blue Jays are our pick to sign Ohtani this winter
You can call this a bit of a stunner, but the Blue Jays are our pick to sign Ohtani this winter. Believe it or not, Toronto has the second-best MLB betting odds to sign Ohtani, set at +450. Yes, the Dodgers are considered the No. 1 organization to ink Ohtani, but there’s plenty of speculation that he could be looking for a fresh start outside of Los Angeles. If this is the case, then Toronto could be the place for him.
Ohtani also wants to join a team that has a bright future. The Blue Jays are loaded with young talent, including Vlad Guerrero Jr. Guerrero is coming off a strong year for the Blue Jays, which included him winning the Home-Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Seattle. Bo Bichette is also a great young piece for this team, as is infielder George Springer. If the Blue Jays add Ohtani, it’d surely boost their World Series betting odds. Could it end up happening down the road?
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“The Jays need Ohtani’s bat,” Blue Jays insider Steve Simmons wrote. “The arm is a year away from pitching, but that’s not the greatest need around here. A lineup with Bo Bichette hitting into Ohtani, hitting into Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is intriguing if not mind-blowing. That’s part of the sell. The Jays won in and around 90 games without Ohtani in each of the past three seasons. How many would they win with him? A number closer to 100 makes some sense on this, even in the American League East.”
It’s hard to argue with Simmons there. The Blue Jays need Ohtani more than he needs them, but this feels like a perfect pairing. The Blue Jays continue to rise in the AL East rankings and things will only get better for them, and worse for the Yankees and Red Sox, if they can bring in Ohtani. It’s of course not going to be cheap, but something tells us the Toronto front office will make something happen. We’re rocking with the Blue Jays here.
The Dodgers still hold the top World Series odds for 2024
While we think Ohtani will join the Blue Jays, no one can ignore the fact that the Dodgers still hold the top World Series odds for 2024. LA is coming off a rough season, with the postseason performance being one that no one wanted to see. Next fall, though, the expectation is that the Dodgers will be able to wipe away the rough memories from 2023. That will depend on how Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and others perform, but we have a feeling they’ll rise to the occasion.
The Dodgers aren’t the only ones with strong odds, as the Phillies, Yankees, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Astros and others are hyped to get the new season going. It will really depend on how the offseason and free agency goes for these clubs, but the Dodgers are no question in a great spot to push for another title next November. Manager Dave Roberts has a good feeling about this squad and more good memories for the fanbase could be on the way soon enough. If they land Ohtani? Goodness, it’d be epic.
