Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Rumors > Dodgers Rumors: Rival General Manager Suspects Shohei Otani May ‘Prefer’ Signing With L.A.
Rumors

Dodgers Rumors: Rival General Manager Suspects Shohei Otani May ‘Prefer’ Signing With L.A.

Matthew Moreno
June 9, 2017
2 Min Read
Shohei-otani
Getty Images
SHARE

While the 2018-19 MLB free agency class is being heralded as arguably the most star-studded in baseball history, this winter may feature plenty of intrigue should Japanese superstar Shohei Otani elect to make the jump to the United States.

However, in order to do so, Otani will need to be posted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. The team has yet to publicly reveal if they intend to make the 22-year-old available to Major League clubs.

Further uncertainty lies with whether Otani has a preference on which team he potentially joins. According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, one general manager believes the right-handed slugger may be interested in joining the Los Angeles Dodgers:

One scout is convinced the Texas Rangers are the favorites for Otani. Another GM believes the same – though he heard Otani might prefer the Los Angeles Dodgers. And then there are the San Diego Padres, who have a partnership with Otani’s Japanese team and hired a former strength coach of his in a prominent role.

At his current age, Otani would forfeit the opportunity to sign a much more lucrative contract. The current MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement put a hard cap on posting fees, and teams’ spending power for international free agents 25 years old or younger.

A cap previously applied to international free agents who were under the age of 23 years old. What’s more, the Dodgers are among the teams who have limited spending power due to previously exceeding their bonus allotment during the international signing period.

Otani did say in April he was not concerned by changes under the current CBA.

A hamstring injury has limited Otani to just eight games this season, and he’s yet to take the mound. Otani is batting .407/.469/.815 with five doubles, two home runs and three RBI.

Many were eager to see the right-hander compete in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, but an ankle injury prevented him from being included on Japan’s roster.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersShohei Ohtani
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dodgers News

Alex Verdugo Sees Himself As ‘Everyday Player’ But Is More Focused On Helping Dodgers Win World Series

May 2, 2019
May 2, 2019
Freddie Freeman
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Freddie Freeman Tried To Hit Grand Slam For Chanting Dodgers Fans

May 18, 2022
May 18, 2022
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after painting a portion of a playhouse on Day of Service at Dodger Stadium during the 2020 Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour
Dodgers News

2020 Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour: Andrew Friedman, Dave Roberts Build With Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation To Benefit Habitat L.A. & Project Sunshine

January 24, 2020
January 24, 2020
Justin Turner, 2020 World Series
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Justin Turner Healthy, Excited For ‘All The Celebrations To Come’

November 12, 2020
November 12, 2020

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어