MLB expert shares bold contract prediction for Shohei Ohtani

There's yet another sign that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani may already be thinking about his next free-agency journey beyond this fall. 

For a piece published Friday morning, MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post explained that he spoke with "two experts" about contracts free agents could sign this offseason. One of those individuals forecasted that Ohtani will ink a 10-year deal worth $400M that would allow him to opt out as soon as after the 2024 campaign. 

MLB insider Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reported last week that Ohtani could sign a shorter-term agreement that includes a historically high average annual value so that he could test free agency either two or three years from now. ESPN's Alden Gonzalez then noted this past Monday that the newly-crowned two-time American League Most Valuable Player "might be open to a short-term deal with an exceedingly high average annual value, a circumstance that would open up a host of suitors this offseason."

Ohtani underwent surgery in September to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and isn't expected to pitch before the spring of 2025. While he'll certainly cash in via whatever deal he signs this offseason, it's thought he could be worth even more on the open market a year from now assuming doctors believe his arm will be as good as new following his recovery. 

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan said on Tuesday that "if there is one thing to know about Shohei Ohtani's free agency, it's that you are unlikely to know much about it until he signs somewhere." On Friday, Heyman mentioned that the Los Angeles Dodgers "are still seen as the favorite [to sign Ohtani] and they’re trying hard." 

However, Heyman also linked the 29-year-old with the World Series champion Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and New York Mets. 

For what it's worth, Heyman didn't rule out Ohtani returning to the Los Angeles Angels.