Not five hours ago, I wrote a piece declaring that I would be totally fine with a 2018 Red Sox that did not include Giancarlo Stanton or Shohei Ohtani. Now, at 5 PM EST/2 PM PST, I’m here to announce that Dave Dombrowski does not agree with me. Shocker.
The man who bought us David Price in 2015, Chris Sale in 2016, and zero big bats to replace David Ortiz last year has openly declared that the Red Sox are, in fact, participating in what has become known as “Shohei Day.” Today, December 1, is the official posting of the 23-year-old Japanese phenom, who pitches, plays outfield, and hits bombs.
Whichever team signs him will pay his former team, the Nippon-Ham Fighters, a $20 million posting fee. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, unlike the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, who each have upwards of $3.5 million left in their international pools, Boston only has $462,500 left to offer Ohtani as a signing bonus.
It would be very cool to have the young two-way player on our team, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. With the entire MLB likely courting him, I don’t think Boston will be his final destination. Instead, I’d ask Dombrowski to focus on finding us something who can *maybe* fill part of the gaping hole left by David Ortiz’s retirement.
