Report: Yankees seen as favorites to sign Shohei Otani

Betallsports · Nov 17, 2017

After winning the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes in 2014, the New York Yankees could be back at it again this offseason.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported Thursday that many Yankees rivals see them as the “supreme favorite” to sign 23-year-old Japanese phenom Shohei Otani. He also adds that a Monday deadline has been set to determine whether or not Otani will be posted by his Nippon Ham Fighters this winter.

Jon Heyman ✔ @JonHeyman
Breaking: players union sets Monday deadline to resolve posting issue. So in 4 days otani could know if he'll be able to jump to mlb in '18.
<time class="dt-updated" datetime="2017-11-16T15:26:54+0000" pubdate="" title="Time posted: November 16, 2017 15:26:54 (UTC)">10:26 AM - Nov 16, 2017</time>

Otani, a two-way sensation who hit .322 with 22 homers and 67 RBIs last year while also sporting a 1.86 ERA and striking out 174 batters, has been planning as if he will be posted. As for the Yankees, they are always a huge favorite on the international market thanks to their massive payroll and global exposure, but getting Otani in pinstripes would be one of their greatest coups yet.

Betallsports · Nov 17, 2017

HarryCaray · Nov 17, 2017

Seems to me he would make more sense to an NL team.

slapshot · Nov 17, 2017

he'll stay in pinstripes

Betallsports · Nov 17, 2017

HarryCaray said:
Seems to me he would make more sense to an NL team.

I agree

slapshot · Nov 18, 2017

Pitch DH Outfield Outfield DH that's the way I would rotate him in the lineup

Ohtani is a 6 ft 4 in, 213 lb right-handed starting pitcher.[SUP][21][/SUP] With an overhand delivery, he throws a four-seam fastballaveraging 96.2 mph[SUP][22][/SUP] (tops out at 165 kph[SUP][23][/SUP]/102.5 mph), an 86–88 mph forkball with late diving action, an occasional curveball, and a solid slider at 82–84 mph.[SUP][22][/SUP] Although he has great raw stuff, there is still room for improvement in his command (career 3.1 BB/9 in NPB).[SUP][24][/SUP] Ohtani has been compared to Justin Verlander by some MLB scouts.[SUP][25][/SUP]
Ohtani also plays the outfield for the Fighters in NPB.[SUP][24][/SUP]

slapshot · Nov 18, 2017

"He's every bit of a top-end-of-the-rotation starter," said another international scouting director who saw Ohtani pitch recently. "He threw well the other day, even if his command was a little off. The stuff is there. He has all the pitches he needs. He's 23 and everything works. He's shown he can put it together in the Japan League. For me, he would go straight to the big leagues and figure it out there."
That report alone -- three plus pitches, with a tall and athletic frame to go along with easily repeatable mechanics -- would be more than enough to have teams line up to try and sign Ohtani. But even those who feel the arm is ahead of the bat agree there are some impressive offensive tools to consider.
"He's a big, strong guy," the second scouting director said. "At 6-foot-5, he's a long-lever guy. He has shortened up his swing a little and has the chance to hit for some power. When you have a top-end-of-rotation guy, he's more of a pitcher for me. But he has the chance to be a good hitter. He's a very, very good athlete."
"Ohtani is already hitting really well at [Japan's] highest level," a third director said. "But you don't see the pitching there that you see here."

carlspackler · Nov 18, 2017

He's like a six tool player.

NBAcapper08 · Nov 18, 2017

ever try hitting with a sore arm from throwing the day before? not easy

NFLTrends · Nov 18, 2017

Closer and DH would be the way to go imo, then work him into the starting rotation somewhere down the road.

When moved to the pitching rotation always give a days rest after pitching before moving to the DH.

busterhyman · Nov 20, 2017

heard he wants to pitch- 1 time every 7 days

Knightrofins · Nov 21, 2017

The marlins and yankees made a trade yesterday (minor). However in that trade, the yankees received an extra 250k of international signing money

HarryCaray · Nov 21, 2017

NFLTrends said:
Closer and DH would be the way to go imo

LOL he's just gonna be good enough to walk in and close at the major league level, while DH'ing at the same time?

NFLTrends · Nov 21, 2017

HarryCaray said:
LOL he's just gonna be good enough to walk in and close at the major league level, while DH'ing at the same time?

I believe so! If he is as dominant as he seems and is projected to be, shouldnt be a problem.

HarryCaray · Nov 21, 2017

NFLTrends said:
I believe so! If he is as dominant as he seems and is projected to be, shouldnt be a problem.

Let's temper our expectations here. Lotta can't-miss Japanese players didn't pan out over the years.

Doug · Nov 22, 2017

The guy cannot be guaranteed anything as far as major league at bats or even being a starter.

He might possibly need some time in AAA or maybe he pitches well and hits poorly ?

Greenbacks · Dec 8, 2017

BREAKING: Japanese star Shohei Ohtani will sign with the Los Angeles Angels

Report: Yankees seen as favorites to sign Shohei Otani

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