While Aaron Judge created turmoil in the free market after entering free agency and signing a whopping nine-year, $360 million contract, Shohei Ohtani is up next to create chaos once he enters the free market following the conclusion of the 2023 season. With the LA Angels being highly disappointing in the league, it is unlikely that the two-way sensation would want to continue in Anaheim. But if not LA, where will Ohtani go?

In terms of meeting his ask, which could reach a $500 million contract in the upcoming year, the New York Mets are one team that won’t struggle with meeting that demand. But according to Jon Heyman, a yearly $50 million contract can easily turn into a $100 million contract with tax. And that could be well beyond Cohen’s reach too, with an already stacked payroll going up to $380 million.

Billionaire Steve Cohen could potentially face a money problem due to Shohei Ohtani

In an interview with the New York Post, Jon Heyman speaks about the potential roadblocks the massive New York Mets could face in their quest to attain Ohtani. He spoke about the addition of tax to their already loaded payroll. Heyman said, “The fourth year tax, fourth tier tax goes from 90% to 110% next year. So if the Mets are able to deal for Joey and Johnny, and it pays him 50 million a year, which is not out of question.”

As a result, the Mets could end up paying nearly $100 million for Ohtani yearly. Heyman added, “So, let’s just say conservatively 50 million, with 110% tax, it becomes $105 million a year. That’s a lot of money, even for Steve Cohen. “

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As a result, despite Cohen’s big deep pockets, attaining Ohtani will not be easy without letting some star power go.

Moreover, that’s not the only hurdle the Mets could face.

What if Ohtani doesn’t want to go to New York?

Heyman also speaks about Ohtani’s MLB arrival and says that the only teams up for competition were from the East Coast. And Ohtani had blatantly denied going to New York. Heyman, in the interview, said, “Five of its seven finalists, the first go-round, five years ago, were West Coast teams. The other two were the Cubs and the Rangers. So, no East Coast teams on it. My understanding is he did tell one high-ranking executive with a team that he did not want to be in New York.”

That being said, that was five years ago, and Ohtani’s opinion on New York could have significantly changed since his MLB debut.

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Where do you think will Ohtani land after he enters free agency? Shoot your predictions in the comments below!