Red Sox Surprisingly Offered Young Phenom Massive Contract According To Insider
The Boston Red Sox haven’t made a major investment in free agency but it sounds like they did try to.
Boston was one of a handful of teams that showed interest in former Orix Buffaloes phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency. The Red Sox were linked to him but didn’t end up landing him as the Los Angeles Dodgers swooped in and got a massive deal done.
The Dodgers ultimately landed Yamamoto with a whopping 12-year, $325 million contract. While Boston was mentioned as a possible fit, many speculated that the club actually didn’t make a competitive offer for him.
This sounds like it wasn’t the case, though, as the Red Sox reportedly offered Yamamoto a contract worth at least $300 million, according to USA Today Sports’ Bob Nightengale.
“Besides, as several teams have already revealed in their pursuit of (Shohei Ohtani) and Yamamoto, they have the money,” Nightengale said. “The (Toronto Blue Jays) were willing to pay $700 million on Ohtani, but have only spent $37.5 million since being rejected.
“The (New York Yankees), (New York Mets), (Philadelphia Phillies), Red Sox, and (San Francisco Giants) all offered Yamamoto at least $300 million, but after being snubbed, no one decided to use at least a portion of that money to sign another marquee free agent like (Blake Snell) or (Jordan Montgomery).”
Boston may not have landed Yamamoto, but the fact that the club offered him such a large contract is a positive sign. The Red Sox haven’t made a massive investment this offseason and it’s been speculated that the club is looking to lower its payroll.
