Will Shohei Otani be MLB-bound in 2018?
It seems promising, but we'll have to wait another day to find out.
The MLB Players Association announced Monday it has agreed to a 24-hour extension for a new posting agreement to be reached between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball.
If an agreement can be reached, Otani, the 23-year-old, two-way star known as the Babe Ruth of Japan, would be eligible to be posted and play in the majors next season.
The new deadline is Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
The MLBPA had placed an arbitrary 8 p.m. Monday deadline to reach an agreement, but has elected to give more time, which is a seemingly encouraging development, given that talks will continue.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached.
If Otani, a starting pitcher and outfielder, is posted, his Japanese team, the Ham Fighters, would receive a $20 million fee. But because Otani, who clearly doesn't care about money, isn't waiting until he's 25, teams only have to pay him signing bonus money _ anywhere from $300,000 to $3.535 million.
The Yankees are among a host of teams interested in Otani. The Bombers could give him DH days when he's not starting on the mound, while also getting Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and others in the DH mix as well. His signing makes a lot of sense for the Yankees, who are intent on getting under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold.
In a Monday trade with Derek Jeter's Marlins, the Yankees acquired $250,000 in additional international signing bonus pool money, adding to the $3.25 million they already had, giving them $3.5 million to spend on Otani. Only the Rangers, with $3.535 million, have more.
The Bombers have had previous success landing the likes of Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka, who could both be helpful in recruiting Otani as well.
Otani has hit 100 mph with his fastball in Japan. This past season, however, he was limited due to injuries to his thigh and ankle. In 65 games at the plate, he posted a .942 OPS. In five starts on the mound, he posted a 3.20 ERA. He underwent ankle surgery in October.
