Dick Williams was in Japan to watch Ohtani

[Tom Servo]

http://cin.ci/2knKOA2

Reds general manager Dick Williams was in Sapporo, Japan, on Wednesday for what may have been Shohei Ohtani’s final start in Nippon Professional Baseball.The Reds have a legitimate interest in pursuing Ohtani, according to front-office sources.

[Big Klu]

http://cin.ci/2knKOA2

Aren't the Reds over the limit on their international free agent money? I can't imagine they have enough to offer him anything, though admittedly I don't fully understand how the process works.

[Will M]

this is strange news indeed. I can't imagine the Reds have the cash to compete with the big boys. however I could see the Reds being willing to let him be a 2 way player where other teams won't (to avoid a Jimmy Nelson type disaster)

[Boston Red]

Based on the little bit I know of Ohtani's personality (basically limited to a 60 Minutes story), he might like being in Cincinnati over being in one of the bigger markets.

Just let me have my delusions, okay.

[StRedlegs900]

Definitely a long-shot for a number of different factors. What do we think the Reds could possibly sell him on as far as joining the team? They could only give him a bonus of up to 300k, and they don't have the DH.

Maybe sell him on the opportunity of being the first Japanese player to play for the oldest franchise in baseball? I have no idea, but it would definitely be incredible if they landed him.

[dougdirt]

I don't think it's the money that will make a difference for Ohtani. The Reds can only offer $300K. Other teams can offer $10M. But this is a guy that's leaving about $200M on the table if he waits two years instead of coming over now (guaranteed money - he'll make up some of that in arbitration when he performs).

[REDREAD]

Maybe the Reds can hire John Coppolella as a special assistant and get this signing done?

[CySeymour]

I don't think it's the money that will make a difference for Ohtani. The Reds can only offer $300K. Other teams can offer $10M. But this is a guy that's leaving about $200M on the table if he waits two years instead of coming over now (guaranteed money - he'll make up some of that in arbitration when he performs).

Doug, is it that no matter what the Reds can only offer $300k, or can they offer more but would need to pay penalties?

[RedTeamGo!]

What are the chances Dick used this as a business reason to visit Japan?

[redsman2007]

I'd say the only way the Reds have any shot is to offer him the ability to be a true two-way player. I just can't see him choosing Cincinnati over all the other cities he'll be able to pick from.

An encouraging bit is that money doesn't appear to be the primary motivator for him or he'd wait another two years to come.

[kaldaniels]

Anybody here protest if the Reds go all in on him and aggressively let him know he can be a 2 way player in Cincinnati?

[Z-Fly]

Trade Votto and let him play 1B

[kaldaniels]

What are the chances Dick used this as a business reason to visit Japan?

Maybe Dick likes the box he gets to sleep in when staying in a Tokyo hotel.

[Z-Fly]

I'd let him be a two way player, if I had almost zero invested.

[kaldaniels]

I'd let him be a two way player, if I had almost zero invested.

There’s 30 teams that would like to have him and money doesn’t seem to be his primary concern. If you want him I think you have to do what it takes - or someone else will.