On Friday, a crucial deal was signed. The Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners made some moves in the apparently static winter market. While some teams seem to be sitting quietly, the Red Sox have strategically traded their 26-year-old infielder Luis Urias to the Mariners. While this may seem to be a regular move, some insiders and fans think of it differently. They suspect the Boston team is making a place to land the top Japanese free agent, Shohei Ohtani, this season.

The 26-year-old infielder of the team had some of the best individual records this year. Luis Urias played 32 games in Beantown with a .225 batting average, 20 hits, 13 RBIs, and two homers. However, earlier this season, he missed games due to his hamstring injury. Will his trade set the stage for Shotime?

Boston Red Sox Trade Luis Urias For Seattle Mariners Pitcher But Involve Shohei Ohtani

The Red Sox are strengthening their free agency strategy. While most other teams are on Shohei Ohtani’s free-agency race, the Red Sox haven’t been counted among the top contenders. However, their sudden trade has surprised fans because the club has traded one of their top hitters for the Mariners’ 26-year-old pitcher, Isaiah Campbell.

The Boston team initially got Urias from the Milwaukee Brewers in August, on the day of MLB’s trade deadline. They traded their right-handed pitcher, Bradley Blalock, for him. Isaiah Campbell, on the other hand, debuted in MLB last season with the Mariners. He recorded a 2.83 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 28⅔ innings pitched.

Though this trade apparently has no connection to the 29-year-old Japanese pitcher, fans still found a link. Ohtani’s Los Angeles Angels jersey number and Urias’s Boston Red Sox Jersey numbers used to be the same – 17. So, trading Urias frees the number 17 slot that fans speculate is the potent sign to chase Ohtani. But since the team hasn’t yet made any move to confirm this rumor, it’s pure speculation.

Also, the chase won’t be easy, as Ohtani reportedly will go beyond the $500 million deal.

Despite Injury Concerns, Can Ohtani Surpass Estimated Free Agency Value?

While everyone unanimously admits that the Shohei Ohtani free agency will create history this season, NY Post writer Jon Heyman has taken things to a new height. The speculated value has been at $500 million so far, that is until Heyman’s latest report declared it could touch $600 million for 10 years. Even with Shohei Ohtani’s two-way skills limited for the foreseeable future.

Read More: Years Before His MLB Superstardom, Shohei Ohtani Amazed Onlookers With His Practice Displays

Also, the New York Post reporter still believes the player will stay in Los Angeles. Of course, not with the Angels, but with the Dodgers. However, the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees will be in the race, believing in Shotime’s ability at DH. The pitching troubles can be addressed later.

Ultimately, it’s no piece of cake to land baseball’s unicorn.

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