Rangers, Mets, Red Sox turn focus away from Ohtani: report
Three potential suitors for two-way star Shohei Ohtani are out of the running for the free agent, MLB.com reported, citing ESPN.
The World Series-champion Texas Rangers, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox “have all turned their focus to other players,” according to the report.
It added the American League MVP is still being chased by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays as well as his only MLB club to date, the Los Angeles Angels, with the San Francisco Giants also named as a possible destination.
The next club for the 29-year-old, who this year became the first Japanese player to lead a U.S. major league in home runs with 44, might be decided as early as MLB’s winter meetings from Sunday to Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee.
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The Winter Meetings are just around the corner, and the Texas Rangers figure to be one of the more active clubs as MLB front offices gather in Nashville. The World Series winners aren’t without needs. Pitching – whether in the rotation or bullpen – is a focus for general manager Chris Young and Co. So is adding another bat, likely as the designated hitter.
Some of the big names have come off the board, at least for the Rangers. The champs are reportedly out on Shohei Ohtani. Bringing back Jordan Montgomery is certainly a goal, but there is competition for the left-hander. All-Star closer Josh Hader is believed to be a serious Texas target. In addition to Montgomery, the club hasn’t closed the door on its own free agents, such as Mitch Garver, Aroldis Chapman and Travis Jankowski