Red Sox Owner Gives Encouraging Quote Regarding Potential Shohei Ohtani Pursuit
Would the Boston Red Sox seriously pursue impending free agent and current Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani?
It sounds as if one Red Sox owner -- who has the second-largest amount of shares in the team behind principal owner John Henry -- will be pulling hard for it.
"He's the greatest player in baseball in my lifetime," Red Sox part-owner Tom Werner said while speaking on WEEI's Gresh & Fauria. "Whatever compensation he receives is going to be worth it because he's just such a dynamic presence as a pitcher, as a hitter.
"Will he set the market? I'm sure he'll get more than any other player but he deserves a lot of money because he's a global star."
Werner comes from a television background and is known for his focus on ratings. If the Fenway Sports Group are focused on growing NESN and their new focus NESN 360 -- there's no better player to pursue than Ohtani.
The added investment from Japan alone would be incredibly substantial and next year's Opening Day at Fenway Park would have no issue selling out --unlike this season.
Ownership would certainly profit off Ohtani, no matter how much they pay him and how well he performs. The issue would be Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and the rest of the front office -- who will have serious luxury tax issues with both Ohtani and star third baseman Rafael Devers on the books.
Fortunately for fans, Bloom has little-to-know say in the matter if ownership makes up its mind.
Ohtani appears to prefer to play on the West Coast but money talks, and ideally Japanese newcomer Masatake Yoshida will as well -- Ohtani's recent teammate in the World Baseball Classic.
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