MLB approves Japan deal, allowing Ohtani bidding to start
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Japan’s starter Shohei Otani pitched against South Korea, in Nov. 2015, during the first inning of their semifinal game at the Premier12 world baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. Major League Baseball owners voted unanimously today to approve a new posting agreement with their Japanese counterparts, a move that allowed bidding to start for coveted pitcher and outfielder Shohei Ohtani.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Japan’s starter Shohei Otani pitched against South Korea, in Nov. 2015, during the first inning of their semifinal game at the Premier12 world baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. Major League Baseball owners voted unanimously today to approve a new posting agreement with their Japanese counterparts, a move that allowed bidding to start for coveted pitcher and outfielder Shohei Ohtani.
NEW YORK >> Major League Baseball owners voted unanimously today to approve a new posting agreement with their Japanese counterparts, a move that allowed bidding to start for coveted pitcher and outfielder Shohei Ohtani.
Following the deal with Nippon Professional Baseball, Ohtani was put up for bid by the Pacific League’s Nippon Ham Fighters for the maximum $20 million posting fee. That opened a window for the 23-year-old to reach agreement on a contract with an MLB team until 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 22.
Under MLB’s new collective bargaining agreement, Ohtani is limited to a minor league contract subject to a team’s signing bonus pool. The maximum bonus he could get is $3,535,000.
Ohtani was in Los Angeles, a person familiar with his location said. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made.
