MLB teams cannot wait for Shohei Otani to come available. But which teams have the best chance to actually sign the Japanese star?
The 2017 MLB season still has another month before the playoffs, and yet there is a great deal of excitement around the upcoming free agency period. It is expected that Japanese superstar Shohei Otani will leave his home country, and be made available to major league teams.
A two way player the likes of which we have not seen in generations, he has been called the Japanese Babe Ruth. It is easy to understand why, as Otani is armed with a blazing fastball and tremendous power. It is that potential which led to 15 teams making the trek to Japan to see his first appearance on the mound in months.
While he had an inconsistent outing, Otani also established himself as one of the more intriguing international players. If he was to become a free agent, he certainly would not have a shortage of suitors. But, for all the teams that could land Otani, only one will emerge victorious, potentially signing a once in a generation talent.
Which MLB teams have the best chance to sign Shohei Otani? Let’s take a look through the five most likely franchises.