The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes are close to beginning.
The Los Angeles Angels star is scheduled to hit free agency after the World Series, and even though he may not pitch at all in 2024, he will break the record for largest contract in MLB history barring something unexpected.
Virtually all contenders will at least inquire about the prospects of Ohtani joining their respective teams.
One of them is the Boston Red Sox.
However, according to a respected MLB insider, they might have a better chance than most.
“According to @pgammo, an NL executive long familiar with Shohei Ohtani believes he could have interest in coming to Boston. Big reason is his relationship with New Balance CEO Jim Davis. He views Yoshida as a potential issue because Ohtani needs to DH. For Ohtani… Yoshida can play LF for the rest of eternity,” Red Sox insider Tyler Milliken tweeted.
According to @pgammo, an NL executive long familiar with Shohei Ohtani believes he could have interest in coming to Boston.
Big reason is his relationship with New Balance CEO Jim Davis.
He views Yoshida as a potential issue because Ohtani needs to DH. For Ohtani… Yoshida can… pic.twitter.com/Vql7nn7xym
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) September 15, 2023
Ohtani is a designated hitter, so the team would have to accommodate him.
Still, if it means sending Masataka Yoshida and his horrible defense (-6 DRS, -9 OAA) to left field on an everyday basis, the team will happily do it.
Ohtani is the kind of talent that makes every sacrifice worthwhile.
With a good setup, he can be the most important player on a championship-caliber roster.
If he goes to Boston, the team would be good enough to at least make the postseason next year, and perhaps more.
Of course, just as he can see reasons to join the Red Sox, he could do it with other teams.
For example, if he signs for the San Diego Padres or the Los Angeles Dodgers, he could be closer to home; if he joins the New York Yankees, he could partner with Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, and so on.
The Red Sox, however, seem to believe they have just as good of a chance as everybody else.
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