Shohei Ohtani To Red Sox? Why Boston Does (And Doesn't) Make Sense For Two-Way Star
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This offseason has been wild with star players moving teams left and right, but it may just be a preview for next offseason.
Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is set to hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2023 campaign unless an extension is signed with the team, but that is extremely unlikely, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
"And so, with that one unexpected call, the chances the Angels keep two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani — which is what matters to Orange County baseball now — very likely dropped from not too great to even less great," Heyman said. "One rival flat-out says: "The chance of him being an Angel on Opening Day 2024 is about 5 percent.”
If Ohtani ultimately hits free agency, he likely will command the largest deal in Major League Baseball history. Angels teammate Mike Trout currently holds the record for the largest deal at 12 years, $426.5 million, but Ohtani likely will top it. Some have even speculated that Ohtani's eventual contract may reach at least $500 million in total value.
The Boston Red Sox certainly have been busy this offseason and have made plenty of moves, but most of the deals the team has signed have been one-year deals. Boston will have plenty of money to spend next year. Would it make sense for them to sign Ohtani? There are both positives and negatives.
Argument FOR Signing Ohtani:
First and foremost, Ohtani is one of a kind. There has been no player like the 28-year-old in MLB history and there likely will not be another. Ohtani isn't just one of the best hitters in all of baseball, but also one of the best pitchers. The Angels star clubbed 46 home runs and drove in 100 runs in 2021 and followed it up with 34 long balls and 95 RBIs in 2022 while slashing .273/.356/.519.
The 2021 Most Valuable Player had arguably his best season as a pitcher in 2022 finishing the season 15-9 with a 2.33 and finishing fourth in the American League Cy Young Award voting. Ohtani without a doubt will be worth the massive price tag no matter where he ends up signing.
With all of the players on one-year deals in Boston, the Red Sox's payroll will drop by at least $20 million heading into the 2024 campaign with a possibility of dropping further based on team options. Boston has been in the market for a new starting pitcher and Ohtani certainly fits that mold. Justin Turner currently is the team's starting designated hitter, but he 38-years-old so Ohtani easily could nab the role next season.
To make matters better for the Red Sox, Ohtani just signed an endorsement deal with New Balance which is based out of Boston -- although that likely would not have any impact on the star's free agent decision.
Argument AGAINST Signing Ohtani:
Boston has shown restraint when it has come to spending in recent years -- although it did sign third baseman Rafael Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million extension this offseason -- so signing the largest deal in MLB history may not be up the team's alley. There are going to be plenty of teams in the mix for Ohtani and the Red Sox may not be able to compete with the likes of the high-spending New York Mets.
Ohtani will be 29 years old next offseason and a long-term contract into his 40s may not be the best deal for Boston. Nobody in the history of baseball has been able to do what Ohtani is currently doing, but how will those skills carry over into his late 30s and early 40s? Will he have to pick one position and stick with it at some point? There's no way to be sure because it has never been done.
Boston also may not be his top choice. Ohtani narrowed his decision down to seven teams in 2017 and five of them were located in California. Ohtani also considered the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs. The superstar didn't consider any East Coast clubs and there's no indication currently that he would next year.
There is no way to know for sure today where Ohtani will play in 2024 -- or even if he will be a free agent -- but there certainly will be plenty of speculation over the next year.
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