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The Nippon Ham Fighters announced Friday that they will officially post star two-way player Shohei Ohtani, according to a report from the Japan Times.
The last hurdle in Ohtani’s path to the majors appears to be an agreement on a posting system between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, though an agreement is viewed as likely. Once those terms are official, Ohtani will be available to the 30 teams that have long coveted his services.
Ohtani, 23, will be subject to international signing rules this winter, meaning teams’ offers will be significantly restricted. The teams with the most money to spend can offer him less than $4 million, meaning money is unlikely to be a major factor in his decision making.
Ohtani recently hired CAA as representation, leading many to believe his move to America was once again likely. His unique skillset and the financial restrictions will mean all 30 teams will make him a priority, giving us a free agent pursuit unlike anything seen before in baseball.