Shohei Ohtani To Red Sox? Boston Reportedly 'Potential Player' In Superstar Sweepstakes
In this story:
Could the Boston Red Sox possibly land one of the most exciting players in baseball history?
Los Angeles Angeles two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is set to enter unrestricted free agency this upcoming offseason and rumors have been swirling for about a year about where he possibly will land if he were to leave Los Angeles. Ohtani likely will command the largest contract in MLB history and there's no way for sure to know exactly where he will end up.
While clubs like the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers seem like the most logical matches, Boston has come up in rumors and are sure to continue to. MLB insider Buster Olney recently spoke with MLB executives and the Red Sox reportedly have been mentioned as a "potential player" in the upcoming Ohtani sweepstakes.
"Boston and the (Philadelphia Phillies) are big-market teams with the financial might to pursue Ohtani, and for that reason, rival execs expect that they will do their due diligence and check in," Olney said. "But over the past four years, the Red Sox haven't exactly demonstrated an appetite for big contracts -- you may have heard about the departure of (Mookie Betts) and (Xander Bogaerts).
"The Phillies have two of the game's highest-paid players already, in Bryce Harper and (Trea Turne), leaving execs to wonder if they would be willing to take on the most significant contract ever. One evaluator did not that with Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler each nearing free agency, the Phillies may be in the market for a frontline starter, and Ohtani would qualify."
Boston has been linked to Ohtani before and although the club may not be the most likely destination, he would make plenty of sense. The Red Sox need another top-of-the-rotation hurler and Ohtani is one of the league's best. Boston designated hitter Justin Turner is 38-years-old so it also would make sense for Boston on the offensive side of the diamond to bring Ohtani in. There hasn't been another player like him in MLB history and may not ever be again. He may end up costing north of $500 million, but he immediately would put the Red Sox in World Series contender status.
The Red Sox may not be the most likely option, but keep an eye out for them.
More MLB: Red-Hot Red Sox Fan Favorite Exploding Right Now Reportedly Paving Way For Trade
