Report: Otani hires agent, 'has every intention' of making MLB move

Japan's superstar has new representation.

Shohei Otani, the Japanese slugger who also doubles as a prolific pitcher, has reportedly hired CAA Sports to represent him ahead of a possible move to MLB this winter, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

According to Hernandez, Nez Balelo, a Los Angeles-based representative, will be the 23-year-old's lead agent.

Widely expected to make the overseas move at some point this offseason, Otani's long-awaited switch was stalled earlier this week, as reported negotiations between MLB, the Players Association, and Nippon Professional Baseball had come to a standstill. When talks between the three parties are resolved, however, Otani apparently "has every intention" to make the major-league switch, a source familiar with the situation told Hernandez.

The conflict between the three sides allegedly stems from Otani's team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, desiring a fee worth more than 15-20 percent of Otani's expected deal, which, due to international spending limits, would only be worth somewhere between $300,000 and $3.5 million. This outcome is opposed by a possible seven-figure contract if he were to wait until he is at least 25 to make the international switch.

Limited by injuries this past season to his ankle and a thigh muscle strain, Otani still owned a .332/.403/.540 slash line in 65 games, adding eight home runs. He also crafted a 3.20 ERA in five starts (25 1/3 innings).

CAA Sports already represents a growing contingent of MLB superstars, including San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, and New York Mets starters Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard.