OTANI: A RISK OR REWARD?

Already there is talk about next year for the New York Yankees. One of the main topics of discussion has been the Yankees pursuit of the Japenese Babe Ruth, Shohei Otani. Already gaining momentum as the season wears on, this topic can and will only grow stronger. We have seen many articles on Otani here at BYB, and have written our share as well.  In all of them, the Yankees are connected to this young man.  According to this piece from the New York Daily News, the Yankees skipper, Joe Girardi finds him to be "intriguing". 

(Masterpress/Getty Images) 

Shohei Otani, considered the Babe Ruth of Japan, is reportedly ready to come to the MLB next season, and the Yankees are one of several teams interested in his services. Brian Cashman and assistant GM Jean Afterman recently went overseas to see Otani, 23, pitch and hit for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

'He’s definitely intriguing,' Joe Girardi said Wednesday of the two-way international star. 'Obviously I haven’t seen much of him, I just hear reports about him. I was asked today: ‘Could a guy pitch and DH some?’ And I think it’s possible. I do."

Credit: Japan Times

Hey, that's a good question. Could he pitch and DH some too?  I'm sure he could, but I believe the better question is would you want him to? Would you like him out there running the bases on the days he's not pitching?

Thinking about that really brings back for me at least, thoughts of Chien-Ming Wang and he only had to do it for that one game. He was never the same after he got hurt running the bases in Houston. Just me being cautious is all...

A move such as this would definitely have its advantages, but it could also end up having many disadvantages as well. On first thought, it's a great idea, but in today's game where pitchers are babied, would it be a risk teams are willing to take?

What are your thoughts? When it comes to Otani, would it be a risk you would want the Yankees to take? 

Comment.

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr