Red Sox moving on from Shohei Ohtani, focusing on Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Red Sox moving on from Shohei Ohtani, focusing on Yoshinobu Yamamoto

As the 2024 MLB offseason continues, it doesn’t look like Shohei Ohtani will be heading to Boston. Instead, the Red Sox are still in the mix for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and remain the favorites to sign him.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Friday that the Red Sox, alongside the Rangers and Mets, are starting to back away from the Ohtani sweepstakes. Between the price tag and teams like the Dodgers more of a fit, the “Ohtani to Boston” dreams are fading away.

Passan also mentioned that the Red Sox are still very much in the mix for Yamamoto. The 25-year-old phantom will earn more than $200 million when he signs with a team.

Not only are the Red Sox in the mix, it sounds like they’re one of the favorites to land Yamamoto.

The Japanese star has been called a “perfect fit” for the Red Sox. Between Boston’s payroll and Chris Sale becoming a free agent, the Red Sox have plenty of opportunity to bolster their rotation.

Yamamoto is still linked to plenty of teams as mentioned above. The Yankees have gone as far as saving Yamamoto’s favorite jersey number for him. Just because Ohtani is out of the mix, the Red Sox are going to have to dive into the bank.

Dropping out of the Ohtani sweepstakes should benefit the Red Sox. The same teams that are in Yamamoto are still in on Ohtani. While other teams try to focus on both stars, Boston can put its full attention elsewhere.

Craig Breslow and John Henry have a busy offseason ahead, and the Red Sox need to land Yamamoto to be taken seriously again. I don’t think Ohtani will stay a two-way player, and signing Yamamoto gives the Red Sox more youth.

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