The News Tribune · Sep 13, 2017
Analysis: Can Mariners pull off a coup and sign Japanese star Shohei Otani?
Can the Mariners pull off the biggest free-agent signing coup in years?
General manager Jerry Dipoto currently heads a contingent of club officials in Japan for a first-hand look at two-way star Shohei Otani amid increasing reports that Otani is heading next season to the major leagues.
That the Mariners are interested is no surprise.
Otani, 23, is generally viewed as a once-in-a-generation talent and is often referred to as the Japanese Babe Ruth because he combines a 100-mph arm with the ability to hit tape-measure home runs.