Insider reveals team Shohei Ohtani will sign with if he's looking for 'the most money'

If two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani has the appetite to play on the East Coast, an MLB insider believes he'll sign with the New York Mets. 

"If he is willing to do that, the Mets are going to offer him the most money," said Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic Friday on "Foul Territory." "And if he's willing to come to the East Coast, it's probably because he wants the most money — so that would obviously point toward the Mets and [Steve] Cohen." 

Rosenthal added that the relationship between Ohtani and Mets general manager Billy Eppler might play "at least a small role." When Ohtani jumped to the majors, signing with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, Eppler was GM, having scouted him in person roughly 10 times, going back to his time serving as an assistant GM with the New York Yankees. 

Even if a return to the Angels isn't in the cards for Ohtani, the popular belief was that he'd still sign with a team on the West Coast. However, things have changed recently. In earlier September, insider Jim Bowden reported that Ohtani's priorities are to join a championship-caliber club willing to match at least the best offer he receives in free agency, regardless of "geography."

Once believed to be in line for a free-agent deal worth $600 million, the offseason bidding for Ohtani got a little murkier in August after he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm. While the injury will prevent Ohtani from taking the hill in 2024, it should only be a slight hiccup when it comes to negotiations on the open market this winter. 

One team probably scratched off the list of potential destinations for Ohtani is his current club, the Angels. Shut down for the remainder of the season on Sept. 16 with an oblique injury, Ohtani cleaned out his locker, leading many to speculate that he's ready to move on. 

Wherever Ohtani ends up, this offseason will be one of the most anticipated in recent memory unless, of course, you're the Angels.