Shohei Ohtani reportedly has interest in surprising team
Jun 15, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) walks to the dugout before the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
As the 2023 MLB trade deadline approached, superstar Shohei Ohtani was the hot topic. There were questions about whether the Angels would trade him. Instead, he remained with the Angels, who thought they had a chance to contend for a playoff spot.
But not only did the Angels fail to reignite their season, Ohtani later went down with a tear in his UCL that ended his season as a pitcher. The Angels have since shut down Ohtani as a batter due to a strained oblique.
Despite the injuries, Ohtani remains on course to win the AL MVP Award. However, he’s already looking a little further down the line and beginning to prepare for free agency, where it’s a near guarantee that he finds a new home.
But where will that be?
Ohtani made it clear earlier in his career that he prefers playing on the West Coast, which ruled out potential suitors like the New York Yankees. But time and wisdom have a way of changing things. Now at the age of 29, Ohtani appears to be rethinking his stance.
Not only is Ohtani looking to play for a World Series contender, but it appears that East Coast teams are now in play for the two-way star. Long-time MLB insider Peter Gammons reports that the Boston Red Sox have found their way onto the three-time All Star’s radar.
N.L. Executive long familiar with Shonei Ohtani believes he is interested in Boston, partly because of his relationship with New Balance CEO Jim Davis.Bosox problem:Masataka Yoshida has to DH, Ohtani off TJ must DH, Sox $ mostly going to pitching.
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) September 15, 2023
The Red Sox are not a team many had on their Ohtani destination bingo card. They’re not only an East Coast team, but they’re also seemingly in a rebuild and nowhere close to being World Series contenders. They represent the polar opposite of everything Ohtani has claimed to want in his next team.
Whether that interest is genuine or an attempt by Ohtani’s agent to increase his market value, one thing seems certain: the greatest player on earth is likely to leave Anaheim.
