MLB: Ohtani asks all teams for applications

Japan’s superstar Shohei Ohtani can essentially choose his upcoming MLB team himself. This is his agent’s reason to ask the 30 teams for applications.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, the pitcher’s agent, Nez Balelo of CAA Baseball, asked all MLB teams to give written explanations as to why their team as a whole would be able to commit Ohtani.

This memorandum was sent to the teams together with information about the new positioning-system between NPB and MLB, which was published on 1 January 2007. There will be a vote among the 30 teams on 12 December.

Ohtani wants to know how teams evaluate talent, how the medical department is structured and how the teams intend to use Ohtani, who wants to play both as a hitter and pitcher. The declarations should be submitted in both English and Japanese. Information is also requested on the possible cultural integration of Ohtani.

A posting by Ohtani will be published for the 1st time. He is expected to sign an MLB contract before the end of the year.

This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.