Brian Cashman's trip to Japan to watch Shohei Otani may not have been what it seemed on the surface for the Yankees.
While traveling across the world to watch a two-way player perform may come across as getting an up close view of a potential free-agent, Cashman's trip was reportedly more about laying the groundwork for a relationship than taking anything away from the eye test.
According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, the purpose of Cashman's trip was to be visible to Otani's camp if--or when--the star hits free agency after the 2017 season concludes.