Hokkaido Nippon Ham two-way star Shohei Otani hits a grounder in the 5th inning as the designated hitter during a Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League match against Rakuten Eagles at Kobo Park Miyagi in Sendai on Oct. 9, 2017. It is Nippon Ham's last game of 2017 season. 23-year-old Otani has officially recorded the fastest pitch by a Japanese pitcher and in NPB history at 165 kilometers per hour (102.5 mph). ( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

News

Yankees Reportedly Out of Ohtani Sweepstakes

Robert M. Pimpsner

Published

December 3, 2017

Tonight, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported on Twitter that the New York Yankees were reformed that they are officially out of the running for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

The Yankees have been informed that they are OUT in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) December 3, 2017

Hoch reported that the Yankees were told by Ohtani’s representatives that they will not be among the teams that will be invited to make an in-person pitch.

The Yankees were perceived to be the favorite to land the Japanese superstar but it now appears he prefers a west coast or smaller market team.