Red Sox Reportedly Are 'Expected To Be In' On Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes This Offseason

Boston has a chance to make baseball history this offseason
Red Sox Reportedly Are 'Expected To Be In' On Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes This Offseason
Red Sox Reportedly Are 'Expected To Be In' On Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes This Offseason /

It sounds like the Boston Red Sox have a chance to land arguably the biggest free agent in baseball history this offseason.

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is a free agent and widely is expected to be playing elsewhere when the 2024 season rolls around. Ohtani will land the largest contract in baseball history and has a chance to change the baseball landscape depending on where he decides to sign. 

A handful of teams have been linked to the superstar, but it's unclear exactly where he will land. One thing that should excite Red Sox Nation, though, is the club reportedly will be in on the sweepstakes, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"The (Los Angeles Dodgers), (Texas Rangers), and Boston Red Sox all are expected to be in the Ohtani sweepstakes, according to sources. And though the industry's overwhelming expectation is that he winds up with the Dodgers, that line of thinking is perhaps presumptive," Passan said. "The Dodgers do have advantages: financial, geographical, on-field success. They also have a history of signing large deals -- on their terms. And with Ohtani coming off an elbow-ligament surgery in October that will keep him from pitching in 2024 -- raising a legitimate question about what his future pitching looks like -- the prospect of plopping down a half-billion guaranteed goes against how they traditionally operate."

Boston has been linked to Ohtani in the past but a possible move seemed like a pipe dream. While that still may be the case, the fact that the Red Sox continues to be mentioned as a fit for Ohtani by baseball's best insiders shows they at least will attempt to make a move. 

While the Dodgers still are the most likely landing spot for Ohtani, Boston certainly is becoming a real possibility. 

More MLB: Red Sox Slugger Expected To Be 'One-And-Done' With Boston Despite Stellar Season


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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu