Let's dive into the latest roundup of MLB rumors, including what could be an offseason shocker if the Los Angeles Angels could actually keep Shohei Ohtani in their lineup.
Shohei Ohtani rumors: Could he return to the Los Angeles Angels?
In his weekly column for USA Today, MLB insider Bob Nightengale opened the possibility that Ohtani could indeed return to the Angels, stating Arte Moreno is "cautiously optimistic" that the 29-year-old superstar could stay in Anaheim.
While Nightengale writes that the Los Angeles Dodgers are still the favorites to land Ohtani in the offseason in what is expected to be a high-stakes competition to land the leading candidate to win the 2023 AL MVP award, a return to the Angels is still a possibility that can't be completely ruled out.
After rumblings about Mike Trout potentially pushing for a trade out of Anaheim were squelched, keeping Ohtani, even on a short-term deal, could make sense. After undergoing elbow surgery that will keep him from pitching in 2024, Ohtani will be a one-way player next season for whichever team signs him. Would the Angels potentially pitch a lucrative one-year deal to Ohtani to stay as the team's designated hitter next season?
Even if the Angels did something like that, the team would have to plug plenty of other holes to become a contender in what will be a tough AL West next season. Ohtani wants to win, and the Angels would likely have to pitch a plan for that to happen immediately for him to likely even consider staying.
St. Louis Cardinals rumors: Sonny Gray an offseason target
Also in his Sunday column, Nightengale writes, "The St. Louis Cardinals will strongly pursue Minnesota Twins free agent Sonny Gray this winter."
Landing the soon-to-be 34-year-old right-hander would make sense on a number of levels for the Cardinals, a team that needs to rebuild its rotation if it expects to compete for the top of the NL Central in 2024. Last season, the Cardinals rotation finished 28th out of the 30 MLB teams in bWAR, coming in at minus-3.9. Only the Oakland A's and Colorado Rockies were worse than the Cardinals, a team that fell way short of expectations in 2023 with a 71-91 mark that earned them last place in the division.
Gray helped the Minnesota Twins grab the AL Central title and advance to the ALDS, posting an MLB-best 2.83 FIP as well as a 2.79 ERA and 1.174 WHIP over 32 starts that spanned 184.0 innings. In his 11th MLB season, Gray has pitched for four franchises, including spending three seasons in the NL Central as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
While St. Louis is expected to chase Gray, the Twins hurler is at the top of the wish lists of plenty of teams this offseason, meaning the Cardinals will have to spend if they want to land him.
MLB rumors: Could Joey Votto end up with the Toronto Blue Jays?
After spending his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds, rumors are swirling that Votto could be in another uniform in 2024. With 17 seasons that have put together an impressive Hall of Fame resume, Nightengale writes that the next chapter of Votto's career could take him north of the border.
"Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds appear to be on their way to a breakup. The Reds have no interest in picking up the $20 million option in Votto's contract, and Votto has shown little interest in a part-time role," Nightengale wrote of the situation facing the 40-year-old Votto this offseason.
Votto played in just 65 games last season for the Reds, slashing .202/.314/.433 in 242 plate appearances during another injury-plagued season. Votto didn't make his debut last season until June 19 after recovering from offseason surgery on his left biceps and rotator cuff. He landed back on the injured list in late August with left shoulder discomfort, but did return to finish the season with the Reds fighting for a postseason spot.
So what could be next for Votto if it's not a return to Cincinnati? Nightengale writes that, "The Toronto Blue Jays could be an ideal fit to bring Votto back home." A native of Toronto, the move could indeed provide an emotional end to his career if the Blue Jays would be interesting in adding his bat and experience to the lineup.
