Shohei Ohtani and the Red Sox are starting to be linked more and more. One executive with an interested team said he believes they are a real threat.

Ohtani has a new big deal with New Balance out of Boston. Perhaps more important: The Red Sox need to balance things out after three last-place finishes in four years.

If the Red Sox do land Ohtani, maybe their faithful forget Mookie Betts. For a little while, anyway.

The Cubs are a team that can afford him. But the question is: Will they spend that big?

The Angels and Dodgers both will make a play, sources say. Most are writing off the incumbent team, but Ohtani did put together three extraordinary seasons over there.

The Angels are so invested in Ohtani they may be the one big-market team not in on pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Word is Ohtani doesn’t love pitching in Yankee Stadium (27.00 ERA in 3 2/3 innings).

He has to love hitting there though (.972 OPS). 

World Series pick: Watch out for the Phillies.

In-house candidates Kyle Haines (farm director) and Mark Hallberg (3B coach) may get manager interviews with the Giants.

It’s a little strange the Giants haven’t locked up president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.

Or least given him another year beyond 2024.

Sam Fuld, from New Hampshire and the runner-up to Alex Cora for Boston manager last time (interestingly, deposed GM Chaim Bloom was said to be very high on him), is among the logical candidates for the top Red Sox job.

Marlins GM Kim Ng’s contract is up, and she obviously deserves a new deal.

Padres GM A.J. Preller and manager Bob Melvin are going to have to work out their differences. Owner Peter Seidler wanted both back.

As it turns out, Jordan Montgomery can start in the playoffs.

Sonny Gray looks pretty good too.