For teams unwilling or unable to shell out the money it will take to sign National League Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer this offseason, it's slim pickings on the free-agent market as far as impact starting pitching is concerned.
That is precisely the reason Japanese League star is among the most compelling characters of the 2020-21 MLB offseason.
The 31-year-old ace of the Yomiuri Giants has put together a stellar eight-year career in Japan, including a dominant performance in 2020, and now he's gearing up to potentially make the jump stateside.
His decision on whether to make the move to MLB—and where to sign if he does—is expected to come Tuesday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.