Astros should go after him. We could solve our starting pitcher and DH problem at the same time: https://theringer.com/the-postseaso...a-two-way-mystery-man-3e2e8585e6ba#.5ieikscyo
May be? I don't think there is a question. I've been eyeing Otani for a few years now. The dude could be a top 5 pitcher on the planet right now, and I don't even think that that is too much hyperbole. Last I read, he was really serious about being a two-way player (maybe to the point of making it a demand if he was to come over to the states), which is scaring many teams. I see it as a perfect reason for the Astros to become a favorite to sign him. Our 1B/DH situation hasn't been great for the last few seasons. So even if he doesn't produce at the plate (the bat is looking pretty darn good by the way), we don't even have much of a potential drop-off at the DH position, but then add a legitimate ace to lead our starting rotation. That's not even the best case scenario. The best case scenario is that we land a stud hitter to be our DH AND a legitimate ace to lead our rotation. Luhnow and company made a surprise run at Tanaka before the Yankees signed him. Just like we made a run at Jose Abreu before eventually getting Gurriel, I would be ecstatic if we were just planting our seed with Tanaka as a precursor to land an even bigger fish with Otani. The kid is a rock star there too, I could see a strong case of throwing ridiculous money at him, while opening up a huge Japanese market for the Astros to offset his cost (a la Yao for the Rockets).
If the Astros landed Otani it would be the biggest FA signing this city has ever seen. Chub just thinking about the possibility. Inevitably he'll go to LAD or NYY though.
This dude sounds like a mythical video game created character rather than a real life player. Would bring a ton of excitement to the city if the Astros are able to land him. There will be lots of competition and lots of money thrown around however. Not sure the Astros can compete with the big boys in money.
He's a fascinating prospect to say the least. If his pitching dominance translates, teams tend to take great measures to protect that. But it's hard to ignore production in a league as good as Japan. Having said that, Japanese hitters don't really have a great track record of being impact players, only Ichiro and Hideki Matsui come to mind, and unless he is a great hitter, teams aren't gonna risk letting an ace play when he's not pitching. Off hand an NL team would seem to make more sense given pitchers are required to hit, but AL teams aren't required to use the DH and he would be more protected as a DH when he's not pitching. Certainly a story worth following.
Agreed. But from a global impact, the buzz and additional revenue would definitely dwarf the Clemens signing, or the Beltran trade, or the Jeff Kent signing. This would be like getting Yulieski Gurriel in his prime, along with way more cash inflow from the international market. Sealclubber's point about an NL team possibly having the advantage as pitchers hit is interesting, and something to consider. However, from the reports I read earlier this season, I am pretty sure that he and his camp will demand that he plays everyday. He wants to hit between his starts. So I would think that having him as a full time DH protects him the most if you have to play him between his starts. So because of that, I think an AL team would have a distinct advantage. I also think that, realistically, he's probably a Yankee. The kid lives like a rock star in Japan, and I just don't think our lights are bright enough compared to NY. And their roster make-up probably allows them to roll the dice and make him a full time DH as well. Everything seems to line up real well for the Yanks, so as much as I would love for this to happen, I'll certainly temper my expectations. But man, would it be fun as hell if Otani is an Astro.
Because of their Japanese player presence? If he wanted to DH every game, doubt he'd go there though unless Seattle was going to move Cruz to the outfield again.