What If the Red Sox Had Signed Shohei Ohtani Instead of J.D. Martinez…Read more

In 2018, the Boston Red Sox signed J.D. Martinez, who quickly became a cornerstone of their lineup and helped lead them to a World Series victory that same year. But what if, instead, the Red Sox had managed to sign Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation from Japan?

If Ohtani had joined the Red Sox in 2018, Boston would have gained not only a powerful hitter but also an ace-caliber pitcher. Unlike Martinez, who exclusively brought offensive firepower, Ohtani could have served double duty. The Red Sox pitching staff, led by Chris Sale and David Price at the time, was solid but struggled with injuries and consistency. Ohtani’s arm could have alleviated some of this strain, possibly allowing the Red Sox to be more cautious with Sale’s workload. Additionally, Ohtani’s presence in the rotation could have added depth and variety, especially in the American League, where two-way players are rare.

Offensively, Ohtani’s bat would have brought similar power to Martinez’s but with greater flexibility. Martinez was mostly limited to the designated hitter role, whereas Ohtani’s athleticism would have allowed him to play in the outfield on occasion. This added versatility might have offered Boston manager Alex Cora more lineup options. However, without Martinez’s steady veteran presence and proven postseason experience, there’s no guarantee the Red Sox lineup would have been as consistently productive.

One potential downside of signing Ohtani is the risk of injury. His two-way nature is taxing, and he has dealt with injuries that have sidelined him periodically. This could have made Boston’s lineup and rotation more vulnerable during the season. Nonetheless, an Ohtani-led Red Sox would have brought unparalleled excitement and might have altered MLB’s perception of two-way players, potentially setting a precedent that would redefine roster building in baseball.