The sweepstakes for Shohei Ohtani won’t begin until the 2023 World Series is over.
There have been many rumors connecting the Red Sox to the Angels’ best player even before this winter’s free-agent frenzy gets underway.
The 29-year-old designated hitter/pitcher will miss all of 2024 as he recovers from elbow surgery. Ohtani, a perennial MVP candidate, is not projected to pitch in 2024 or 2025, but he still has a chance to break records with his new contract this offseason.
Pedro Martinez, a former star pitcher for the Red Sox, is among many who believe Boston will be the team to sign Ohtani to a massive contract this offseason.
“I think he’s going to be playing in Boston,” Martinez said to Sports Illustrated. “It would be fantastic to have him. But I also think he would thrive in Los Angeles. He and his buddy Yu Darvish might be able to play on the same team in San Diego. I’m aware that the Mets have (Kodai) Senga on their roster and that they have the financial means to pay him. Because of this, only a select few teams will be able to sign him. I can only think of those few possible destinations for Ohtani. But I have to give the crown to Boston.
It’s hardly surprising that Martinez, a former Red Sox right-hander with deep ties to the organization, believes that the Red Sox will be the ones to sign Ohtani this offseason.
Nonetheless, some MLB publications have hinted at the likelihood of a contract being completed between the Red Sox and Ohtani.
After three consecutive last-place finishes in four years, Boston is eager to add depth to its squad (and plenty of headlines) by signing a high-profile free agent like Ohtani.
аccоrding tо а recent repоrt by Jоn Heymаn оf the New Yоrk Pоst, “Shоhei оhtаni аnd the Red Sоx аre stаrting tо be linked mоre аnd mоre.” оne interested CEо sаid his teаm sees them аs а genuine threаt. New Bаlаnce, bаsed in Bоstоn, hаs signed оhtаni tо а mаssive cоntrаct. Even mоre cruciаl is the necessity fоr the Red Sоx tо restоre equilibrium fоllоwing three cоnsecutive lаst-plаce finishes in аs mаny yeаrs.
Perhaps Red Sox fans would forget about Mookie Betts if the team were to get Ohtani. At least for the time being.
Last month, Peter Gammons mentioned on X (previously Twitter) that a “N.L. Executive long familiar with Shonei Ohtani believes he is interested in Boston, partly because of his relationship with New Balance CEO Jim Davis.”
It might be argued that the Red Sоx wоuld be better served by investing in a grоup оf established starting pitchers rather than a single high-priced prоspect like Yоshinоbu Yamamоtо.
However, if a once-in-a-generation superstar like Ohtani or Juan Soto becomes available this winter, the Red Sox may be tempted to make a move.