Report: Ohtani scheduling team meetings; Mariners lining up major pitch
Slowly but surely, Shohei Ohtani's path to Major League Baseball is becoming clearer.
The 23-year-old two-way Japanese phenom is scheduling meetings with various teams in Los Angeles next week, sources told Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan. The news comes less than two weeks after an agreement over a new posting system was reached.
Long considered one of the more aggressive suitors for the pitcher-outfielder hybrid, the Seattle Mariners have reportedly asked multiple players to clear their schedules to be part of the team's recruiting efforts, according to Passan.
Related: Dipoto says Mariners willing to let Ohtani be 2-way player
With Ohtani set to sign a deal at a near-minimum rate - and only a $20-million posting fee to his NPB team - the cost is low, and the competition for his services is expected to be fierce.
The Texas Rangers have the most international bonus pool money available at just north of $3.5 million, while the New York Yankees are close behind. The Mariners aren't far off the pace, though, with approximately $1.55 million available.
Ohtani's agent recently asked teams to submit written proposals to argue why his client should consider signing with them.