As many as 16 teams had scouts and/or executives on hand to watch star right-hander Shohei Otani’s most recent start, reports Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times (Twitter links). Of particular note, Hernandez adds that Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto was among the execs on hand to scout Otani. The start was just Otani’s third of the season, as he’s been hampered by ankle and hamstring injuries throughout the calendar year that have prevented him from getting on the mound. It’s not yet certain if the two-way phenom will be posted for MLB clubs to bid on this offseason — the new CBA’s strict limits on international spending have radically limited his earning power in that scenario — but if he does, virtually every team that is not currently restricted for shattering previous bonus pools would have interest in the 23-year-old. Otani posted a 1.80 ERA with a 174-to-45 K/BB ratio in 140 innings on the mound and hit .322/.416/.588 with 22 homers in 382 plate appearances last season. He’s hitting .346/.416/.574 with seven homers through 185 PAs as a designated hitter this year.
More from the AL West…
- In addition to right-hander David Hernandez, the Angels would likely have traded righty Bud Norris leading up to the non-waiver deadline but didn’t receive much interest in him, the L.A. Times’ Pedro Moura writes in his latest Angels Inbox column. General manager Billy Eppler and his staff weren’t sure the team would have a reasonable enough shot at a Wild Card berth to pursue additions on July 31, though they obviously pivoted in August, acquiring Justin Upton and Brandon Phillips. As Moura notes, Hernandez hasn’t exactly dominated following his trade to Arizona, so that minor swap isn’t likely to be the ultimate difference in whether the Angels secure a Wild Card position or come up just shy. The Halos are one game back of the Twins for that spot at the moment. Moura also gives his thoughts on the team’s chances of retaining Upton and Phillips beyond 2017 and examines some of the Angels’ better low-cost pickups, so Halos fans will want to check it out.
- Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register writes that Angels lefty Andrew Heaney could miss his next start due to some shoulder troubles. While an MRI showed that Heaney did not have an “acute strain,” it also revealed symptoms “consistent with internal impingement.” Heaney has struggled in four of his five starts since returning from Tommy John anyhow, but the injury-ravaged Angels’ pitching staff hardly needs further injuries to tax the rotation or the bullpen with a Wild Card spot in arm’s reach.
- Promoting top prospect Willie Calhoun may not have been an easy call for the Rangers, writes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, as the team didn’t have to add him to the 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft this winter. And, as Grant points out, the Rangers will already be effectively operating with only 39 spots on their 40-man roster, as they’ll need to carry Prince Fielder throughout the offseason in order to place him back on the 60-day disabled list next spring and collect the insurance on his contract. Nonetheless, injuries to Adrian Beltre, Carlos Gomez, Rougned Odor and Mike Napoli as well — Grant tweets that he could be down for a bit after missing yesterday’s game with “lower body stiffness” — created a need for Calhoun. He’ll likely play left field, with Delino DeShields manning center while Gomez is down.
Jerry needs to get otani
No he doesn’t
They need to stop spending so much and develop a good farm to see better results
An nl teams needs them.
But, in reality the Yankees need this guy
He’s better suited for an AL team. 3-4 DH days followed by a start
Mariner’s payroll has been steady the same. Slight increase since Jerry has arrived. He also has added a lot of quality. Segura, haniger, gamel, Dyson and yonder all on very affordable deals. The farm system was crap before he got there and he is flipping these guys for proven players. With the starting pitching injuries there record is incredible. Otani fills that need. With Felix, iwakuma, cruz and Gallardo coming off the books in the next year or two they have some money to spend and Japanese players have always had success in Seattle. It makes a lot of sense in multiple ways.
High payroll with lack luster results
Always? I can think of only one with good results
Kaz, ich, kuma, Johji
Johji had one good year
Agreed. Injuries didn’t help either
The farm system wasn’t strong, but it did have players with positive upside, which he eagerly traded for crap this year. What was left of our farm system was depleted for half year rental like yonder Alonso or failed players like Marco Gonzales. Dipito hasn’t made many quality trades. Either he gets bums or has-beens for our better prospects. And honestly otani may seem like an exciting and great player to sign but for the price he’s gonna cost, he’s not worth it. Especially because you have no idea how his performance will translate in the MLB. He’s gonna cost a metric d!ck ton of money and will decimate any payroll flexibility to go after other players after signing him.
I am curious, outside of signing bonus, what can teams legally offer Otani? For example say a team like the Padres, they can only spend 300k, but if they guarantee he will always be on the MLB roster, develop his 2-way talent, etc I wonder if that’d be worth more to him than a signing bonus?
Also what kind of contract can be given after signing?
At this point feels like even the biggest signing bonus under the current CBA won’t compare to his development and future earnings. Makes you wonder if he is looking for more than just max amount of money up front.
There really isn’t too much a team can do besides blowing all their pool money on him. I imagine he’ll have his choice of teams. If money is his issue and it doesn’t seem to be, he should wait and come over later and sign a long term deal then.
Teams can offer a small ownership stake as well. In the end, this might be what reels Otani in.
“As many as 16 teams had scouts and/or executives on hand to watch”
Phillies?
ROFLOL!
Waiting for the Asian American protest in front of Citizens Bank Park, everyone wearing “42” t-shirts.
John Middleton thinks Asian players are “too expensive” and has other ideas about them that are not fit for public discussion.
Even teams that have shattered the IFA cap are interested. The question is will he go to a team that can only pay him $300k?
Depends how much of an ownership share he gets; hopefully they sign a few of his teammates as well to improve their odds. Sign a few friends to minor league deals, get Otani’s signature, and then release the teammates.
Seems rangers are probably top 2-3 team to get Otani. With trading players for int. pool money and constant appearances and check ins, looks like Texas is a good contender to signing him