Ohtani posting of importance

RED SOX NOTEBOOK

ORLANDO, Fla. — Agent Scott Boras used his usual colorful banter to tout his own free agents as the cream of the crop yesterday at the general managers meetings, while Major League Baseball very quietly offered some clarity about the market’s truly unique talent.

MLB chief legal officer Dan Halem announced on the third day of the meetings that baseball hopes to have a new Japanese posting agreement in place by early December, setting a vague timetable for when two-way star Shohei Ohtani might become available. Because Ohtani is still just 23 years old, teams will be limited in the amount of money they can offer, making the pitcher/outfielder a financially viable and intriguing option for basically every organization, including the Red Sox.

Dave Dombrowski was not allowed to specifically comment on Ohtani, because he’s not officially available, but the Sox president of baseball operations has made it clear that Ohtani has the team’s attention.

Halem said baseball has a basic posting agreement in place with Nippon Professional Baseball, but it still has to be approved by the Players Association and the league owners. Assuming that’s done in early December, it might not be until early January that Ohtani decides on a team.

Because of his ability to pitch, play the outfield and hit for power, Ohtani has become a fascination for teams who see not only a potential high-end starter, but also a potential offensive force who could be in the lineup on days he doesn’t pitch.

The sky’s the limit for the ways Boras might have touted such a talent. As it is, Boras compared free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez to King Kong, called first baseman Eric Hosmer a “federal express” to something called “Playoffville” and described starter Jake Arrieta using a metaphor about squirrels and nuts.

Willing to talk

Dombrowski acknowledged that the Red Sox have players worth considering for long-term contract extensions, but stopped short of saying he would pursue such a deal this offseason.

“I guess you can always begin anything now,” Dombrowski said. “But it’s really not a priority at this time of year with your personnel. Sometimes that’s dependent on the agent, of course, too, the player. Most have agents that are working on other things at this time of year, which is why that’s not normally your focus.”

Right fielder Mookie Betts and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. are in their first year of arbitration eligibility, while shortstop Xander Bogaerts is in his second. Dombrowski said he hasn’t decided whether to pursue a long-term agreement with any of them.

“I have no idea at this time,” he said.

Cora heads home

New manager Alex Cora returned home to Puerto Rico on Tuesday, Dombrowski said. While Cora still hasn’t met with any players, he is gearing up for his first meeting with his full coaching staff.

“He just got back (home),” Dombrowski said. “And I think he’s going to get settled there a little bit. He’s coming back to Boston the week after Thanksgiving. He’ll come back, and our coaching staff is coming in that week. They’re going to meet together for the first time, so we’ll have some meetings led by him.

“I’m sure other people in the front office will be involved at times, but they’re all going to come in that week. I think Alex plans on being in town during that time period. Maybe he’ll slip off and visit some individuals. And of course he’ll go right from there, which is in two weeks, to the winter meetings.”

Healing process

The Red Sox sent four players for surgery this offseason, and they have starter Steven Wright (knee), reliever Tyler Thornburg (thoracic outlet syndrome) and infielder Marco Hernandez (shoulder) recovering from midseason surgery.

Dombrowski said all are rehabbing as expected, with no meaningful setbacks so far.

“All of the progress so far has been good,” Dombrowski said.