A new report claims that the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs could end up being top contenders for the best player in MLB free agency this winter.
While they had different records, the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs both had the same final result in 2023: Heading home early without reaching the postseason. Boston had the tough luck of being a division with two of the best teams in the league this season, and a late push still left Chicago one game short of a Wild Card spot.
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Obviously, both teams are in need of notable upgrades to their rosters and have the resources to take big swings in MLB free agency if they so choose. Which has many around their fan bases wondering if they could be one of the many teams that take a hard look at pursuing Shohei Ohtani this winter.
On Thursday, New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman spoke about both teams’ potential in the Ohtani chase and how each could be serious contenders. When it comes to Chicago, the veteran reporter claimed “The Cubs are a team that can afford him. But the question is: Will they spend that big?”
- Shohei Ohtani stats (2023): .304 AVG, .412 OBP, .654 SLG, 44 HR, 95 RBI, 102 R
Speculation growing about Boston Red Sox being a serious ‘threat’ to land Shohei Ohtani
However, as far as the Boston Red Sox go there seems to be a growing belief around MLB that the organization could become a favorite for the Japanese superstar.
“Shohei Ohtani and the Red Sox are starting to be linked more and more,” Heyman wrote. “One executive with an interested team said he believes they are a real threat. Ohtani has a new big deal with New Balance out of Boston. Perhaps more importantly: The Red Sox need to balance things out after three last-place finishes in four years.”
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Heading into the offseason, the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, and possibly the New York Mets are viewed as some of the front runners for the one-time league MVP. This is the first time it has been suggested that Boston could be a major player in the Ohtani market.
The Sox have finished 78-84 in back-to-back seasons. Chicago’s 83-79 was their first winning record — besides the pandemic-shortened season — since 2019.