So you’re saying there’s a chance? Uhh, no.
Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani signed a new endorsement deal this week with New Balance.
Why does that matter? New Balance’s corporate headquarters is in Boston, Mass. That’s why.
BUY MLB TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER, TICKETMASTER
Photos of Ohtani visiting New Balance’s Boston office hit social media on Wednesday. And since he’s slated to be a free agent after the 2023 season, that triggered a round of Ohtani-to-Red Sox rumors on Twitter.
Shohei Ohtani signs a contract with New Balance, which is a company that’s based in Boston, Massachusetts... The Boston Red Sox, which are a professional baseball team that’s based in Boston, Massachusetts... Y’all see where I’m going with this
Easier to endorse Ohtani when he is a member of the Red Sox. Does New Balance know something that we don’t?
Ohtani to the @RedSox 2024 confirmed.
Ohtani to the Red Sox is inevitable really.
Shohei about to hit free agency, Shohei signs with New Balance, New Balance is in Boston, the Red Sox are in Boston, Boston got under the luxury tax this year which means they can spend big, Shohei is worth big, Red Sox need pitching, Shohei is a pitcher, Shohei dominates at Fenway
OK, hold on, everyone. Let’s think about this.
Yes, Ohtani will be a free agent next winter.
And yes, you can never count out the Red Sox.
But Boston just watched shortstop Xander Bogaerts sign an 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres. And that came three years after the Red Sox shipped former American League MVP Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sure, Boston shelled out 11-years and $331 million to re-sign third baseman Rafael Devers. But dropping half a billion on Ohtani wouldn’t be Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom’s style.
Plus, Ohtani has made it clear that he prefers life on the West Coast.
Ohtani avoided arbitration in October by agreeing to a one-year, $30 million contract for the 2023 season. A month before that, Ohtani said he was left with a “negative impression” following the Angels’ third-place finish in 2022, making a long-term deal with Los Angeles unlikely.
Want to bet on MLB?
See the best NJ Sports Betting sites
Why all the fuss?
Ohtani was the 2021 American League MVP and was runner-up in 2022 to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
As a hitter, Ohtani was fourth in the American League with 34 home runs and seventh with 95 RBI.
As a pitcher, he was fourth in the AL with a 2.33 ERA, tied for fourth with 15 wins and third with 219 strikeouts.
Ohtani was the first player in MLB history to record 30 home runs and 10 wins in the same season.
MORE MLB:
- Ex-Yankees reliever was in demand before signing with AL East rival
- Ex-World Series champ moves from Damar Hamlin conspiracy to COVID vaccine paranoia
- Ex-Yankees prospect signs to play in Korea
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
Ad Choices