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Shohei Ohtani is perhaps the most highly valued free agent in MLB history. However, what seemed like a sure-fire $500 million-plus contract now looks more complicated than any team would be willing to give him due to his elbow ligament surgery.
Although it was not publicized that the surgery was a second Tommy John, he will not be able to pitch until the 2025 season, relegating him to designated hitter duties in the 2024 campaign, which undoubtedly causes uncertainty as to whether he will be able to continue as a two-way player in the future.
Is the 'Japanese Babe Ruth' over?
The reality is that among MLB executives themselves, there is talk that Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again, at least for a long time, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who spoke with a high command of a National League team.
2023 PitchingNinja Award for Best Revenge after Trash Talk.
? Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 17, 2023
Winner: Shohei Ohtani (vs Juan Soto) pic.twitter.com/YBXIm4cyGX
Ohtani's numbers in 2023
The pitcher/slugger earned his second MVP, also unanimously as he did in 2021, after posting an incredible campaign on both sides of the ball: As a pitcher he threw 132 innings, 167 K's, 10-5 record and 3.14 ERA.
As a hitter, he led the American League with 44 home runs, with a .304/.412/.654 line and led all of MLB in OPS, OPS+ and WAR with 1.066, 184, and 10.0 respectively. The Japanese beat out World Series champions Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, who went 2 and 3.
2023 PitchingNinja Award for Best Revenge after Trash Talk.
? Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 17, 2023
Winner: Shohei Ohtani (vs Juan Soto) pic.twitter.com/YBXIm4cyGX