The Boston Red Sox are out of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Ohtani was known to be a fan of Fenway Park, but it would appear the Sox are left holding the bag, in desperate need of somewhere to spend their money.
New Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow is expected to operate aggressively in the aftermath of Boston's last-place finish in the AL East, which led to Chaim Bloom's firing. Boston has the money and the prestige to attract impact free agents. Even with Ohtani off the board, we can't start the obituary on next season. Not yet.
Boston is expected to prioritize pitching, but there's also a need for more position talent. Another outfielder could help Masataka Yoshida transition to DH full time, while another infielder could help replace Justin Turner, should he leave.
Here are a few of the best options to help Boston fans get over the disappointment of Ohtani ghosting them.
Red Sox can solidify rotation with Jordan Montgomery signing
Jordan Montgomery arrived in Arlington at the trade deadline. After a bumpy first half of the season with the St. Louis Cardinals, Montgomery swiftly established himself as the Texas Rangers' most reliable arm behind Max Scherzer. He took it to another level in the postseason, posting a 3-1 record in six appearances (five starts), with a 2.90 ERA and 3.90 FIP.
He was especially impressive during Texas' ALCS takedown of the Houston Astros, winning both his starts and pitching a critical relief stretch behind Scherzer in Game 7. The Rangers are expected to seek a reunion, but Montgomery should get a hearty paycheck on the open market, and he has other suitors.
The Red Sox stand as a particularly interesting landing spot. Montgomery isn't necessarily an elite No. 1 ace, but he's a postseason-tested second or third starter who could provide veteran stability for Boston. Brayan Bello is still a bit shaky in his youth, while Chris Sale showed noticeable signs of decline last season. Montgomery would offer a major boost in a workhorse role.
Montgomery started 32 games between St. Louis and Texas last season, finishing the regular season with a slightly misleading 10-11 record. He posted a 3.20 ERA and 1.193 WHIP, with 93rd percentile Pitching Run Value of 19, per Baseball Savant. He packs mean 98.2 MPH heat on his fastball and he would elevate the Red Sox's staff in a big way.
Red Sox can add power to the lineup with Rhys Hoskins signing
The Philadelphia Phillies have moved Bryce Harper to first base full-time, effectively ending Rhys Hoskins' tenure with the franchise. Hoskins spent all of last season rehabbing a torn ACL — sort of a crummy way to go out. But, he should have a long line of suitors in free agency. If he wants to stay in the northeast, the Red Sox can offer him a prime opportunity to re-establish value around the league.
In 2022, Hoskins slashed .246/.332/.462 with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs in 672 plate appearances (156 games). He then played an integral role in the Phillies' National League championship run. He is a potent slugger who could come at a relative discount due to the uncertainty tied to his injury. That's a risk the Red Sox should be willing to take.
Boston stands to lose Justin Turner to free agency after his resurgent 2023 campaign. The Red Sox have other viable first basemen on the roster, and Hoskins can't switch seamlessly between first and third like Turner, but Hoskins is an easy plug-and-play replacement who can immediately assume a prominent spot in Alex Cora's lineup.
Hoskins has low-risk, high-reward potential. He's not going to command a massive long-term contract, but he was a key contributor to a championship contender a year ago. If he can return to pre-injury form — and at 30 years old, he should have ample gas left in the tank — Hoskins is a home-run signing waiting to happen. Boston should at least place a phone call.
Red Sox can add elite long-term starter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Boston missed out on the offseason's biggest Japanese superstar, but that won't preclude them from signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The 25-year-old righty from the NPB's Orix Buffaloes is fresh off three straight Triple Crowns across the Pacific. Yamamoto can impact winning right now, plus he's eligible for a long-term contract at 25 years old. That's unheard of for American prospects, and it's why Yamamoto provides such unique upside — even if his contract approaches the $200 million range.
The Red Sox should eagerly sign multiple impact starters if possible. Yamamoto and Montgomery, in tandem, would relieve a great deal of stress on Sale and Bello atop the rotation. It would also give the Red Sox, in theory, four pitchers they can feel good about in the postseason. It's never too early to dream big.
Yamamoto is known to have suitors across the league, but Boston has been consistently cited as a potential landing spot. Boston OF Masataka Yoshida was Yamamoto's teammate with the Buffaloes prior to his move to the MLB last season. Yamamoto has expressed an openness to playing with other Japanese players; perhaps the option of joining an old teammate and growing alongside him in Boston is appealing.
Yamamoto would quell any concerns about Boston's pitching staff long-term. With 24-year-old Bello and 25-year-old Yamamoto, the Red Sox could have their primary one-two punch for the next decade, while still having enough veteran savvy between Montgomery and Sale to compete in 2024. It's the ideal balance. Yamamoto comes with a steep price, but he's worth it.
