SoMnFan
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The Babe Ruth of Japan, Shohei Ohtani, will not be playing in the House that Ruth Built. Nor will he end up where the Babe began his career. New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman informed reporters Sunday night that Ohtani's representatives have told the team they will not be invited to make a presentation for the starter/slugger. The Yankees have been preparing their bid for months for the services of the 23-year-old with a 100 mph fastball and devastating swing. Later Sunday, Boston Red Sox GM Dave Dombrowski said that Boston is out of the running, as well. Cashman said Ohtani seems to be leaning toward West Coast teams in smaller markets. According to multiple reports, the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics are also out. Cashman made his comments during the Heights and Lights event in Stamford, Connecticut, where he annually rappels off a 22-story building. Cashman called Ohtani's decision "disappointing." The Yankees were perceived to be the favorite by many because they had the second-most amount of international signing bonus money ($3.35M), the diversity of New York, the successful recent history with Japanese players, like Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka, and a chance to win immediately.
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