Shohei Ohtani’s expected arrival this weekend has been the most anticipated series of the second half at Citi Field since it became clear earlier this season the Mets likely wouldn’t be contending for a pennant.
The best player on the planet’s status became a giant question mark late Wednesday when the Angels announced Ohtani has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that will keep him from pitching for the rest of the season.
But at least the two-way threat has one weapon still going for him: his bat.
According to reports, Ohtani plans to stay in the Angels lineup, meaning he likely will play this weekend in Queens.
In the background is the 29-year-old Ohtani’s impending free agency, which previously would have certainly garnered him the richest contract in North American team sports history.
Maybe that still holds true, but if Ohtani needs a second Tommy John surgery (he had the procedure in 2018 and didn’t pitch the next season) the situation will become murky.
Ohtani left his start against the Reds on Wednesday with elbow discomfort, yet knowing the UCL was torn, still played in the second game of a doubleheader as the DH.
The right-hander wasn’t scheduled to pitch this weekend against the Mets, but there is still enough intrigue about a mighty bat that has produced an MLB-leading 44 homers this season.
Pete Alonso is third on that list with 39.
On the mound Ohtani pitched to a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
He is almost a lock to win his second American League MVP award in three seasons.
Though it’s been assumed that Ohtani will sign with a West Coast team this offseason, the Mets can’t be ruled out simply because of owner Steve Cohen’s hefty checkbook.
But then there is the question of whether the Mets are all-in for 2024.
“Are we going for it?” Francisco Lindor asked rhetorically in reference to the team’s plans for next season. “They said ‘no,’ right? I think the message from the front office is nothing is happening this offseason, so we’ll see.”
In a letter to season-ticket holders after the trade deadline, Cohen vowed to put a “formidable” team on the field for next season as the Mets look to reduce expenditures and build toward 2025 and ’26.
But Ohtani is also a generational (if not once-in-a-lifetime) talent, so would the Mets really pass on him in free agency?
“We’ll see,” Lindor said. “There is so much that can happen. He’s definitely exciting and he’s a special player and I am sure anybody would be happy to have him in any clubhouse.”
Would Lindor help recruit Ohtani to the Mets?
“If they call me and say, ‘Hey, we have got to get him,’ of course,” Lindor said. “One hundred percent.”
Kodai Senga hasn’t avoided media requests this season, but the buildup to Ohtani’s arrival at Citi Field caused the Mets pitcher to decline interviews.
Senga is the Mets’ scheduled pitcher on Friday.
Brandon Nimmo said it would be “amazing” if Ohtani signed with the Mets, but it’s also clear the Angels star will have plenty of suitors and won’t necessarily have to take the highest offer.
“There is no bigger stage to do it on than New York, but ultimately I think it will come down to where he’s comfortable,” Nimmo said. “Any team is going to want him. Because of Steve [Cohen] we’re looked at as one of the teams that can afford him, but there are going to be quite a few teams that want his abilities and I think it will come down to where he wants to be.”
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