At the conclusion of the World Series, Shohei Ohtani will enter the free agent market.

Ohtani, 29, will enter free agency after pitching and serving as a designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels since 2018.

Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on August 23. He did not pitch after that date.

Ohtani did, however, continue to serve as the Angels designated hitter until September 3. An oblique strain ended his season prematurely.

A right-handed pitcher, Ohtani underwent surgery on his right elbow September 19. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery.

Dr. ElAttrache described the surgery as a “procedure to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow.”

Ohtani had Tommy John surgery in Los Angeles on October 1, 2018. Dr. ElAttrache also performed that surgery. Ohtani returned to the Angels the following May, as a batter only. His first mound appearance after the surgery was July 6, 2020.

Ohtani has long stated that he wants to return to pitching.

As Ohtani enters free agency, he will serve exclusively as a hitter until Dr. ElAttrache clears him to pitch.

On the brink of free agency, speculation continues regarding Ohtani’s next team and his next contract.

Here are the 2023 offensive statistics with which Ohtani enters free agency:

A three-time All Star, even though he threw 132 innings on the mound, covering 23 starts, Ohtani had 599 plate appearances with the Angels in 2023. He hit .304/.412/.654/1.066 with 26 doubles, eight triples, 44 home runs, and 95 RBIs. He stole 20 bases in 26 attempts.

Remarkably, Ohtani accomplished that magnificent offensive season with All Star Mike Trout out of the lineup due to injury. Trout made only 362 plate appearances in 82 games played.

Ohtani and Judge:

Ohtani is often mentioned in the same sentence with New York Yankees All Star, Aaron Judge. They are seen as two of the greatest sluggers in modern baseball history.

This year, Judge played in only 106 games due to a severe toe injury.

In 458 plate appearances, Judge had 16 doubles, no triples, 37 home runs, and 75 RBIs.

Judge, 31, signed a 9-year, $360 million contract that runs through 2031.

Given the massive contract Judge signed, what might Ohtani fetch in the open market?

It must be remembered that Ohtani has not yet reached the age of 30. If he can remain healthy, and his elbow does not hamper his swing or his ability to pitch in the future, Ohtani could eclipse Judge’s contract.

Those are two big ifs.

For the 2024 season, Ohtani’s initial suitors will be looking at Ohtani as a designated hitter only. Ultimately, he may resume his dual roles as a top of the rotation pitcher, and impactful designated hitter.

Where Will Ohtani Sign?

It doesn’t seem realistic that Ohtani will return to the Angels.

For this observer, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners have the best chances to sign Ohtani to a long-term contract.

It also doesn’t seem feasible that Ohtani will sign a short one or two year contract, placing himself back in the open market once he proves he is healthy enough to lead a pitching staff.

Rather, this scout feels Ohtani will break the bank regarding the value of his contract this offseason. The winning team in a potential bidding war will simply be paying for a tremendous designated hitter until Ohtani is cleared to pitch.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 21: A detail of a Los Angeles Dodgers logo against the Chicago Cubs at … [+] GETTY IMAGES

Los Angeles Dodgers:

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a current payroll of $236 million.

Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, Amed Rosario, Enrique Hernandez, J.D. Martinez, David Peralta, Shelby Miller, Jimmy Nelson, and Jason Heyward can all become free agents.

It is probable the Dodgers will shave millions off their existing payroll, electing not to offer most of those players contracts for next year.

The Dodgers did not enter the free agent market to any extent prior to the 2023 season, choosing to refrain from adding additional payroll at the time.

If designated hitter Martinez leaves, the role opens for Ohtani. It would likely open even if Martinez remained.

The Dodgers have the financial resources, and the winning culture in their organization to be attractive to Shohei Ohtani.

SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 02: A gold Florida necklace sits over the Mariners logo on the jersey of Mallex … [+] GETTY IMAGES

Seattle Mariners:

The Seattle Mariners have a current payroll of $153 million.

Only Teoscar Hernandez, and Tom Murphy are pending free agents.

Ohtani would fit nicely as the Mariners designated hitter.

Ohtani would be playing in the environment that saw Ichiro Suzuki thrive after he came to Major League Baseball after having great success in Japan. His path is very similar to that taken by Ichiro. Success in the Japan Pacific League. Success in Major League Baseball.

The Mariners organization has long been associated with Japan and Japanese baseball. In fact, from 1992-2016, Nintendo of America, with all their ties to Japan, owned the club.

Seattle boasts a large Japanese population, although not as large as Los Angeles, which is a much larger city.

It would seem Ohtani would be comfortable in the Mariners organizational and geographic environment.

However, Ohtani may not want to play in the shadow of Ichiro. But Ohtani is such a confident and assured athlete, it is likely he can thrive with Ichiro as a potential source of support.

Other suitors may emerge. However, for this writer, the Dodgers and Mariners would be excellent “fits” for Shohei Ohtani.