Brian Cashman’s Missed Opportunity to Bring “Perfect Fit” Shohei Ohtani to the Yankees Before Bagging Giancarlo Stanton From Derek Jeter-Owned Marlins for $325,000,000

The New York Yankees are in a deep, deep rut. The latest series sweep of the reigning World Series champs, the Houston Astros, has been one of the only bright spots in their dismal season. Calling up the Baby Bombers is proving successful so far. But if there is one player who is guaranteed to improve their roster is two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

The Japanese phenom often finds himself in AL competition with the Bronx captain, Aaron Judge. Soon after the outfielder had made his MLB debut, Ohtani came to the US looking to establish his name in the sport. But he dismissed the Yankees early on, instead opting for the West Coast. Surprisingly, he was one player that Brian Cashman, not usually known for bidding, had publicly declared his intentions for.

Brian Cashman’s Fervent Bid for Shohei Ohtani for the New York Yankees

There are many reasons that Sho-time picked a league-worse team over more eligible clubs. But each of those explanations still astounds fans even today as Ohtani heads into his free agency after the 2023 season. It’s sure to be an event as big as when the slugger announced he was coming to the US, if not bigger. Just like fans today, many wanted him in pinstripes back then.

But Brian Hoch reveals why the Japanese wonder didn’t choose the Bronx. In his book, The Baby Bombers: The Inside Story of the Next Yankees, he dives behind the scenes. “Cashman would say that he viewed Ohtani as a “perfect fit” given the youth movement, but Ohtani quickly eliminated the Yankees in early December, eventually signing with the Angels,” he writes on page 255.

“Cashman was told that Ohtani had expressed a preference not to play for a large market, East Coast club. Often, New York City was a selling point; this time, it had not been.” Ultimately, baseball’s unicorn didn’t make it to the Bronx so Cashman had to scout some other promising talent across the league.

Giancarlo Stanton As Stand-In for Sho-Time?

The Derek-Jeter-owned Miami Marlins had been an area of interest for Cashman before, but Ohtani had taken up precedence. Now that he was 100% off the table, the Yankees GM was free to look elsewhere. And he found it in Big G, who signed with the Yankees in 2018 for $325 million. Hoch discusses this on page 339 of his book.

READ MORE – After Heaping Praises for Aaron Judge, Former Yankees Star Stuns with a Bold Shohei Ohtani Preference

“Cashman had spoken with the Marlins briefly in November, but his focus at that time had been split between the managerial search and preparing for the expected availability of twenty-three-year-old Japanese standout Shohei Ohtani,” writes the MLB insider. “When Ohtani came off the board, eliminating every club east of the Mississippi River before selecting the Angels, Cashman pivoted and re-engaged with the Marlins.”

And that was how Giancarlo Stanton came to be in pinstripes. Although there have been a few good years, 2023 has brought a terrible slump. Whether or not he’s worth the lucrative contract with the Bronx Bombers, only time will tell. In the meantime, the Yankees may or may not try to make another bid for Shohei Ohtani after the season’s over.

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