Shohei Ohtani ‘will get record offer from the Mets next winter’

Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of becoming the world’s highest-paid athlete with the help of the New York Mets, who may not even sign the two-way sensation when he becomes a free agent next winter.

Ohtani is set to make $30 million this season before becoming a free agent following the 2023 campaign, when he is expected to command one of the biggest contracts in sports history due to his status as one of baseball’s best hitters and pitchers.

The Mets don’t have any assurances that Ohtani will sign in Queens. In fact, all indications are that he prefers the West Coast and its proximity to his native Japan. But that won’t stop billionaire owner Steve Cohen from making his best offer, and if another team can top it, they’re more than welcome.

‘The Mets will make Ohtani the best-paid player in the history of sports — whether he plays for the Mets or not — because the offer will be insane,’ one Mets insider told the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. ‘And if someone else wants to beat it go ahead.’

Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of becoming the world’s highest-paid athlete with the help of the New York Mets , who may not even sign the two-way sensation when he becomes a free agent next winter

The Mets don’t have any assurances that Ohtani will sign in Queens. In fact, all indications are that he prefers the West Coast and its proximity to his native Japan. But that won’t stop billionaire owner Steve Cohen (pictured) from making his best offer, and if another team can top it, they’re more than welcome

That’s not to say Cohen is fixated on Ohtani these days. He recently splurged on free agents like pitcher Justin Verlander (two years, $86.6 million) and Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga (five years, $75 million), and is due to spend an estimated $382 million in payroll for 2023 with a record $109 million luxury tax bill.

He very nearly spent more than that, too, before infielder Carlos Correa’s $315 million, 11-year-deal fell apart over issues with his physical.

In any case, Cohen’s mind – and his wallet – are all in on 2023.

‘Hard to think about next year,’ Cohen told Heyman via text message. ‘I’m focused on this season.’

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Ohtani finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting in 2022 and second in the MVP chase behind the Yankees’ Aaron Judge. He finished the year with 34 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .273 batting average and an astounding 145 OPS+ — 45-percent better than other designated hitters. On the mound, the righty had his best season with a miniscule 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts

Shohei Ohtani fans hold signs ahead of the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 3

But when the 2023 season does end, Cohen is still expected to be among several owners in pursuit of Ohtani, along with a bevvy of Pacific Coast teams, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres.

Heyman does caution Mets fans that even Cohen’s bank account has its limits, and a $50 million average annual salary could incur a major penalty with MLB’s luxury taxes. Given the Mets’ status as a repeat offender, going over the luxury-tax threshold in 2022 and 2023, the would be charged a 110-percent fee as third-time payers in 2024.

In other words: If Ohtani were to make $50 million per season, his deal might actually cost the Mets $105 million in 2024 with the potential for higher penalties in the future.

Ohtani tapped into an additional income stream on Tuesday with his new endorsement deal with New Balance . He recently ended his partnership with Asics after eight years with the company 

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Ohtani tapped into an additional income stream on Tuesday with his new endorsement deal with New Balance. He recently ended his partnership with Asics after eight years with the company.

His first shoe with New Balance is set to be a limited-edition 574 cleat that will be released next month.

Ohtani finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting in 2022 and second in the MVP chase behind the Yankees’ Aaron Judge.

He finished the year with 34 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .273 batting average and an astounding 145 OPS+ — 45-percent better than other designated hitters.

On the mound, the righty had his best season with a miniscule 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts.