Shohei Otani still wants to come to MLB in 2018 despite new rule
Nippon Ham Fighters superstar Shohei Otani doesn’t care about the money. Despite the new international spending limits, Otani still plans on coming over to Major League Baseball next offseason, according to Jim Allen of Kyodo News.
Hideki Kuriyama, Otani’s manager in Japan, said Thursday, he still expects him to go in 2018 on minor league deal because it’s about game.
— Jim Allen (@JballAllen) December 8, 2016
That should come as a bit of a surprise, considering MLB’s stance on altering a new rule in the collective-bargaining agreement (CBA) that would prevent Otani from receiving a massive contract until 2019.
The new rule gives teams a $5 million budget to spend on international free agents every year. That rule, however, doesn’t apply if the player is 25 or older. Because of that, Otani, who is 22, would be limited to a contract around $10 million if he comes over before 2019, when he would be 25. Teams are eligible to trade for international cap salary, which is how Otani could receive around $10 million.
Many believe that would be a massive underpay for one of baseball’s most exciting players. Otani has completely dominated Nippon Professional Baseball as a pitcher, compiling a 2.49 ERA over four seasons. In 2016, he played more of a two-way role, hitting .322 with 22 home runs over 382 plate appearances as the Ham Fighters’ designated hitter. That performance earned him the end of season awards for best pitcher and best DH in NPB. If Otani were a true free-agent, many believe he would receive a contract in excess of $200 million.
Because of that, it was assumed the new rule would prevent Otani from coming to the majors until 2019. It just didn’t seem logical for Otani for forfeit such a huge payday.
Apparently, that doesn’t matter. Otani appears far more interested in testing himself against elite competition than making hundreds of millions immediately. And Otani would have to wait quite some time in order to get paid. Under the new rule, he would be subject to signing a minor-league deal, meaning he would remain under a team’s control for six additional seasons. He wouldn’t be eligible for free agency, and thus a huge payday, for a long time.
Perhaps we should have seen this coming. With the situation in flux Monday, Otani first expressed his desire to play in MLB in 2018. Despite that, many assumed that he might change is mind if MLB refused to alter the new rule, allowing him to get a massive contract.
It looks like Otani was serious the entire time. While it’s admirable that he wants to play on baseball’s biggest stage no matter the cost, Otani is taking a risk by settling for a smaller contract.
Given his talent, MLB should be fortunate he feels that way. The new rule essentially discourages players like Otani from coming over to the majors until they are 25.
While this may have worked out in the league’s favor, Otani could prove to be the exception here. Future players with similar talent may not feel the same way.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
