Shohei Ohtani ‘is getting a record offer from the Mets next winter’

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

Ohtani is expected to make $30 million this season before becoming a free agent after the 2023 campaign, when his status as one of baseball’s top batters and pitchers is expected to see him earn one of the largest contracts in sports history.

The Mets have no assurances Ohtani will sign in Queens. In fact, everything suggests that he prefers the west coast and its proximity to his native Japan. But that won’t stop billionaire Steve Cohen from making his best offer, and if another team can top it, they’re more than welcome.

“The Mets are going to make Ohtani the highest-paid player in the history of the sport — whether he plays for the Mets or not — because the offer is going to be insane,” Mets insider Jon Heyman told the New York Post. ‘And if someone else wants to hit it, keep going.’

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

The Mets have no assurances Ohtani will sign in Queens. In fact, everything suggests that he prefers the west coast and its proximity to his native Japan. But that won’t stop billionaire 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 obsessed with Ohtani these days. He has recently squandered big bucks with free agents like pitcher Justin Verlander (two years, $86.6 million) and Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga (five years, $75 million) and is expected to hit $382 million Spending salaries for 2023, with a record $109 million luxury tax bill.

He also almost spent more before infielder Carlos Correa’s 11-year, $315 million contract fell apart due to physical problems.

In any case, Cohen’s thoughts – and his wallet – are set to 2023.

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

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

But when the 2023 season ends, Cohen is expected to still be among several owners chasing Ohtani, along with a bevy of Pacific Coast teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres.

Heyman warns Mets fans that even Cohen’s bank account has its limits, and an average annual salary of $50 million could face a major penalty with MLB’s luxury taxes. Given the Mets’ status as repeat offenders who cross the luxury tax threshold in 2022 and 2023, they would be charged a 110 percent fee as third-party payers in 2024.

In other words, if Ohtani made $50 million a season, his deal could actually cost the Mets $105 million in 2024, with the potential for higher penalties in the future.

Ohtani tapped into an additional revenue 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 said to be a limited edition 574 shoe that will be released next month.

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

He ended the year with 34 homers, 95 RBIs, and a .273 batting average and a staggering 145 OPS+ — 45 percent better than other designated hitters.

On the mound, the right-hander had his best season with a tiny 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts.