MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani 'Likely' to Decide Contract 'Within the Next Week' amid FA

Highly prized free agent Shohei Ohtani "is likely to decide on a team within the next week," according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

This would potentially put the two-time American League MVP on track to have an agreement in place by the time the MLB winter meetings wrap up Wednesday.

However, USA Today's Bob Nightengale cautioned "Ohtani is not signing at the winter meetings" unless a team tables a $1 billion offer. He listed off the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and at least one mystery team — a staple of any major free-agent sweepstakes — among the contenders still in the running.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Friday the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets have removed themselves from the running.

As is the case most offseasons, there will presumably be a domino effect once the biggest piece comes off the board, and the effect could be seismic.

Another generational talent may be up for the highest bidder with all signs pointing toward the San Diego Padres trading Juan Soto.

On Friday, reports from Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Ken Rosenthal, Dennis Lin and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic detailed how negotiations between the Padres and New York Yankees have stalled. It doesn't appear another suitor has been as aggressive as the Bronx Bombers.

However, The Athletic writers presented a possible scenario where a team that fails to sign Ohtani could turn its focus toward Soto. Beyond the fact both are elite hitters, a front office that's prepared to pony up for Ohtani would theoretically have the resources to sign Soto beyond the 2024 season.

If nothing else, there's always some overlap when it comes to the best free agents. The quicker Ohtani strikes a bargain the quicker the likes of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Cody Bellinger and Blake Snell could sign.