On one hand, Yuki Yanagita will be one of the most well-paid players in Japan next season. On the other, he'll be kind of a steal.
While Shohei Ohtani didn't go to the majors for money, Yanagita's new NPB deal with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks illustrates why it can be such a motivating factor for other players looking to make the move.
Granted, there is an ocean of difference in the way MLB and NPB clubs are run. So it's hard to compare the compensation structures apples to apples. But in just terms of cold, hard cash, the difference is as wide as the Pacific Ocean.
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