Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Martinez said the team met with top free agent Shohei Ohtani at Dodger Stadium in the last few days.
Martinez confirmed the meeting in a chat with reporters at the Winter Meetings in Nasvhille, Tenn. on Tuesday.
The Dodgers are the first team to confirm they have met with Ohtani.
Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Martinez said: “Clearly, Shohei is our top priority.”
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported late Monday that the Toronto Blue Jays are believed to have met with Ohtani at their complex in Dunedin, Fla.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins has not confirmed this meeting during media interviews.
There have also been reports Ohtani was in San Francisco to meet the Giants.
The Los Angeles Angels, the line MLB team Ohtani has played for, also are believed to be in the running.
The two-time American League MVP will not pitch in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery in September.
Ohtani is expected to sign the largest contract in MLB history.
