MLB: Ohtani not to Yankees or Red Sox

The market for Japan’s superstar Shohei Ohtani has become significantly smaller. Representatives of the two-way players informed more than half of all MLB teams, including the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, that they were no longer in the race.

According to media reports, there are only a few teams left in the conversation when it comes to Ohtani’s services. Among them the Mariners, Giants, Padres, Angels, Rangers, Cubs and Dodgers. Some of these teams were informed that Ohtani was available for a meeting.

In addition, there are a few franchises that have not made public statements on the subject and could still be in the picture.

Definitely out of the picture are the Yankees, who have been seen as favourites in the industry. But General Manager Brian Cashman said,”We did everything we could, but if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit.”

Cashman said the main reasons for Ohtani’s no were that the pitcher would prefer a smaller media market and the West Coast:”I know that our presentation was excellent. The feedback we got back on this was outstanding. But I had a feeling I can’t change the fact that we’re a big market and in the East.”

Other teams that are also out of the race, according to their own statements or media reports, are among others Pirates, Twins, Blue Jays, Nationals and White Sox. Interestingly, the Yankees, Twins and Pirates were the only teams besides the Rangers who could have paid Ohtani a signing bonus of more than two million dollars.

This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.