It looks like the Babe Ruth of Japan will be coming to America next year.
A tentative posting agreement has been reached between MLB, the MLB Players Association and Nippon Professional Baseball _ pending ratification by MLB teams _ which would clear the way for 23-year-old, two-way star Shohei Otani to be posted and play in the majors in 2018, a source confirmed to the Daily News.
The system of recent seasons would remain in place throughout this offseason, meaning the Ham Fighters, Otani's Japanese club, would receive a $20 million posting fee.
Then a new system would take effect next year. The ratification is expected to be a formality.
Because he isn't waiting until he's 25, when his free agency would be uncapped, Otani can receive a signing bonus of between $300,000-$3.535 million. But he clearly doesn't care about money, instead wanting to test himself against the best competition in the world.
The Yankees are among several teams that will be interested in Otani's services given his age, extremely affordable contract and vast potential. The Bombers are intent on getting under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold for 2018, and Otani fits the bill as a potential superstar level player who won't make anywhere near superstar level money.
For what it's worth, the Yankees can offer Otani a $3.5 million signing bonus. Only the Rangers, at $3.535 million, can offer more.
The Bombers have an obvious hole in their rotation, with Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray and Jordan Montgomery under contract for 2018. They also have several DH at-bats available, which could appeal to Otani.
The Yankees have a strong foundation, featuring a young homegrown core, and have previously landed Japanese superstars Hideki Matsui and Tanaka, who could both help in what will essentially be a college-recruiting process.
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 on October.
The MLBPA had set an arbitrary 8 p.m. Monday deadline to reach an agreement with MLB and NPB, but elected to extend it 24 hours following encouraging talks, which ultimately culminated in a tentative agreement being reached on Tuesday.
Starting pitching depth is something Hal Steinbrenner feels should be his team's No. 1 priority in the offseason. To that end, a pursuit of Otani makes obvious sense. CC Sabathia, 37, beloved for his leadership, could be a candidate to come back, perhaps on a one-year deal in the range of $10-12 million, following his renaissance performance in 2017. The Bombers are also said to be interested in Rays free-agent righty Alex Cobb, as first reported by Peter Gammons. Cobb, 30, went 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA for Tampa last season. The Cobb sweepstakes is likely to come down to the Bombers and Cubs, Gammons reported.
Brian Cashman said the initially expectation is for Chad Green to come to spring training as a starter, though he could always go back to his middle relief role, which he was excellent in last season. The Bombers are also high on prospects Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams, Albert Abreu and Domingo Acevedo.
