Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has informed multiple teams that he will not be joining them including the Boston Red Sox. His decision is expected to come soon.
Superstar Japanese free-agent Shohei Ohtani has informed the Boston Red Sox that he will not be joining them in 2018.
After being posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters of the NPB on Friday, Ohtani made the Red Sox one of three playoff teams he’s denied since being posted in addition to the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins.
Shohei Ohtani will not be coming to the Red Sox, source says.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) December 3, 2017
The right-handed outfielder/pitcher has been raved about numerous scouts and baseball personnel. His pure power at the plate as well as his ability to pitch effectively earned him the nickname of the “Japanese Babe Ruth”.
Last season he hit .332/.403/.540 with eight home runs in 65 games while pitching to the tune of a 3.20 ERA with 29 strike outs in 23 1/3 innings.
Ohtani is interesting. Besides potentially being one of the first players since Ruth to be a successful two-way player, he left hundreds of million dollars on the table when he decided to come to MLB.
Because of his age-Ohtani is 23 years old-he is subject to the rules pertaining to international players. Had Ohtani waited until he was 25 years old, he would have been subject to a more lucrative contract as he would officially become an international free agent.
Reports of Ohtani’s denial for playing in Boston and New York have stated that he prefers a smaller, west coast market. Of course this market includes the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.
If Ohtani’s skill set is so rare and he really is as good as everyone believes, one is only left to wonder why he prefers a smaller market. Media scrutiny could be one of them. But it is also beneficial to take into account that Ohtani’s life is going to be drastically changed within the next couple of days.
Moving to a new county with new cultural values while being in one of the major media markets this world has to offer can’t be an easy thing. A smaller west coast market provides Ohtani with more piece of mind and less stress in front of the media.
With this news comes with the question of the Red Sox’ next move. What is it going to be? Who is it going to be? And finally, what is it going to cost?
Next: Boston's Non-Tender Possibilities
Boston has enough money to sign anyone of the current free agents baseball’s Hot Stove season has to offer. Whether they make a big splash and throw a blank check at J.D. Martinez, or look to save a little bit of cash and sign a lower profile free agent such as Carlos Santana, Boston must make a move soon.