Reds' status unknown as Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes begin heating up

The Shoehi Ohtani sweepstakes are reportedly reaching the second round, although it’s not known yet if the Reds are in or out.

According to various reports, Ohtani’s representatives have told 14 teams that they will or will not receive a meeting with the Japanese star, who was posted on Friday.

Messages from The Enquirer to various members of the Reds front office, including general manager Dick Williams, have not been returned.

Williams, who last week acknowledged the Reds were making a serious push for Ohtani, said at RedsFest on Friday that he’d prefer not to give updates on the team’s pursuit of Ohtani.