Chicago Cubs fans no longer have to say “there’s always next
year” after their World Series victory in 2016, their first since the 1908 Fall
Classic, but New York Yankees fans find themselves saying that once again when
it comes to Japanese-born right-handed starting pitcher Shohei Otani. For a couple
seasons now the talk has been whether the best pitcher in Japan would be coming
to the Major Leagues and whether the New York Yankees, who are always starved
for starting pitching, would sign him but once again the Yankees have to wait
and hope for next year. Shohei Otani is not coming over to the Major Leagues
before next season, again.
Otani is just 22-years old but has been talk around the
Major Leagues for at least two-or-three offseasons now. Otani has shown loads
of potential as a hitter, which is why he remains in Japan and which is why he
may prefer to play for a National League team, but he has excelled as a pitcher
which is what has drawn MLB teams to him despite not being eligible for free
agency until after the 2021 season.
According to reports the Nippon Ham Fighters, Otani’s
current team in the Japanese League, is willing to place Otani through the
posting system whenever the right-hander is ready to head to the Major Leagues.
Otani signed a $2.37 million deal for the 2017 season with the Fighters so I
guess that dream is on hold for just one more season, at least.
Yanks can't afford him. He will cost too much money unless you can get him at the store 5 below
ReplyDelete