BREAKING: Alex Cora Admits Red Sox Were Inches From Shohei Ohtani, Revealing One Mistake That Changed Baseball History Forever.vc

BOSTON, MA – Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora has reopened old wounds in an interview that has sent shockwaves through the city and set Major League Baseball on fire. Cora revealed the Red Sox were “so close” to signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani when he first came to MLB in 2017, ultimately pointing to a single, critical mistake that he believes cost the franchise Ohtani’s generational talent.

The words, “We were so close…” delivered a stunning admission that confirms what many Boston fans have feared: a procedural or cultural misstep was the reason Ohtani chose the Angels over the Red Sox.

The Mistake: A Focus on Tradition, Not Innovation

While the Red Sox were on Ohtani’s final list of potential suitors during his first free agency period, they were ultimately eliminated because Ohtani preferred a West Coast, smaller market atmosphere to ease his transition to the U.S.

However, Cora’s recent comments hint at a deeper, philosophical flaw in the Red Sox’s pitch—one that the Angels and Dodgers successfully avoided. Though Cora did not specify the exact nature of the error in his most recent statement, historical accounts suggest the Red Sox may have failed to fully embrace Ohtani’s “two-way” desire:

• The Flaw: The Red Sox front office, according to rumors at the time, failed to articulate a clear, convincing, and innovative plan for Ohtani to pitch and hit, perhaps focusing too much on the traditional needs of a storied franchise.
• The Angels’ Advantage: The Angels, led by GM Billy Eppler, presented a cohesive vision centered entirely on enabling Ohtani’s unprecedented two-way dream, giving him the freedom and guaranteed opportunity to do both from day one.

Cora’s current and past statements emphasize the deep regret over the process: “I think he found a good place to play. He loves it here. The process was very interesting from when we tried to recruit him, but it just didn’t work out.”

The “What If” That Shook Boston

The revelation that the Red Sox were inches away from landing Ohtani—who has since become a multi-time MVP and the most compelling player in the sport—is a painful reminder of the massive opportunity missed.

Had Ohtani signed with the Red Sox in 2017, it would have fundamentally changed baseball history forever, reshaping not only the American League East rivalry but potentially securing the Red Sox as a long-term dynasty, preventing the need for the recent, frustrating rebuilds.

The fallout from Cora’s candid admission—a manager taking responsibility for a long-ago mistake that cost the franchise a generational star—will dominate discussion in Boston as fans grapple with the consequences of that one wrong move.