Timetable Coming Together For Ohtani Signing As Posting Deal Reached

MLB, MLBPA and Nippon Professional Baseball officials yesterday reached a tentative deal to "grandfather in the old posting agreement for this offseason," which will cover star P/OF Shohei Ohtani. Officials then "reached an accord on a three-year deal beginning next offseason whereby Japanese clubs would be paid based on the percentage of a player’s contract." MLB owners are scheduled to vote on the deal Dec. 1, and if they approve these rules "as expected," Ohtani is "likely to be posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters either that day or the next." Under provisions for this offseason, he would have 21 days to "make a choice, which means a signing no later than Dec. 21-23" (N.Y. POST, 11/22).