I don’t understand why the Red Sox would be such a tough sell. Sure, the last couple years have been tough, but they are a big spending team, they’re generally a very good team, they have the third most titles overall and the most over the last 20 years, and when the team is good lots of players seem to love playing here.
If you’re worried about the weather play in Miami.
Well. They stopped spending as much. They've been pretty bad for a while. They have maybe one sure all-star caliber player on the roster (maybe Casas becomes the second).
But - maybe just maybe Breslow/Bailey engaged with YY about pitching in a way that particularly impressed him, or that set them apart.
I DO think not wanting to be Robin to Ohtani's Batman could be a legit issue. Though if he just wants the greatest chance to win, he should go to the Dodgers. If he wants to win and not play in the orbit of the GOAT (or at least this generation's GOAT), then it seems to me he goes to the Yankees. That's what I suspect will happen - he goes to the Yankees.
Maybe the Red Sox offer the most money, and he comes. And I'd be fine with that. I actually don't think it's irrational at all. They have a dire dire need for starting pitching, and need star power. Corey Seager surprisingly signed with Texas, and suddenly the team became a legit destination and they built a winner. The Sox DO need this kind of move and it could lead to subsequent moves, attract subsequent players. The money will work out in the end - there are always creative ways out.