The Los Angeles Angels extended the qualifying offer to Shohei Ohtani, which is a one-year, $20.325 million contract for the 2024 season.
The two-way star has until 1 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Nov. 14, to accept or reject the qualifying offer. Ohtani will all but certainly decline it as he is expected to command a record-breaking contract in free agency.
If Ohtani rejects the qualifying offer and goes on to sign with a different team, the Angels will receive draft compensation.
The American League MVP favorite hit a stellar .304/.412/.654 with 26 doubles, eight triples, 44 home runs, 95 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 599 plate appearances this past season (135 games).
On the mound, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 1.06 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine in 132 innings pitched (23 starts).
The right-hander did not pitch after Aug. 23 due to a torn UCL in his right elbow that required surgery. An oblique injury also sidelined Ohtani as a hitter for most of September.
Ohtani is not likely to pitch in a big league game next season, but will return to two-way status in 2025. Even though he will be limited to designated hitter duties for one year, a slew of teams are lining up to sign him.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are considered the biggest threat to sign Ohtani away from the Angels due to their geographic location and recent history of winning. The Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners are among the other teams that have been linked to the 29-year-old.
Angels’ Shohei Ohtani named American League Most Outstanding Player
Ohtani was named the American League Most Outstanding Player in the 2023 Players Choice Awards, adding to his list of accolades this offseason. Ohtani beat out Yandy Díaz (Tampa Bay Rays) and Corey Seager (Texas Rangers) for the honor.
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