The Seattle Mariners have been linked to Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani for some time now, and the possibility of signing him has become more and more likely. Ohtani is a two-way player, meaning he can both pitch and hit, and his potential to make an impact on the Mariners is undeniable. But what is required for the Mariners to make this deal happen?
First and foremost, the Mariners need to make sure they have enough money to sign Ohtani. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams are limited in how much they can spend on international free agents. The Mariners have already exceeded their bonus pool limit, so they are limited to offering Ohtani a minor league contract with a signing bonus of $300,000. This is significantly less than what other teams can offer, but it is still a significant amount of money for a minor leaguer.
In addition to money, the Mariners need to be able to provide Ohtani with a good environment to develop his skills. This includes having a good coaching staff and a supportive fan base. The Mariners have a strong coaching staff, led by manager Scott Servais, and their fans are some of the most passionate in baseball. This should give Ohtani the confidence he needs to succeed in the majors.
Finally, the Mariners need to make sure that they can offer Ohtani a chance to play both ways. The Mariners have already said that they are willing to let him pitch and hit, but they need to make sure that they can provide him with the opportunity to do both. This means having a roster spot available for him and making sure that he has enough playing time to develop his skills.
The Seattle Mariners have a great opportunity to sign Shohei Ohtani, and they have the resources necessary to make it happen. All they need to do is make sure they have enough money, provide Ohtani with a good environment to develop his skills, and make sure he has the opportunity to play both ways. If they can do all of these things, then the Mariners could be in for a very special player.
