Even without mega-millions to spend, the Yankees are considered the favorites to land two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani after he is posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters late next week.
Ohtani, 23, will have 21 days to choose from the field of teams that filed the $20 million posting fee, meaning he would sign with a major league team no later than Dec. 23.
“The Yankees are set up to get him. They will use [Masahiro] Tanaka to help them and the money he will make in endorsements in New York will be large,’’ predicted a person who has seen Ohtani pitch and hit in Japan.