Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 641 - 7: Dust Settles (Part 2)
"What about the Rangers? There's no state tax in Texas, so both on-field and off-field income can elevate to another level. Plus, the Rangers have Darvish, and they're quite strong. Most importantly, there's an advantage in the American League with the DH rule compared to the National League." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
"I still lean towards the Giants. Although Oracle Park suppresses left-handed hitters, from another perspective, Guanglai's pitching power will become stronger here. Moreover, the Giants have a complete and powerful roster, and partnering with Posey will benefit Guanglai. San Francisco can fulfill all ambitions."
"Then why not the Dodgers? After all, they're also in the National League West, and the Dodgers have been in the National League Championship Series almost every year for the past few years, just one step away from the final. Plus, the commercial potential of Los Angeles is much stronger than San Francisco—like the Lakers, Hollywood, and the Walk of Fame... As long as the Guggenheim Group cooperates with us, we can create a world-class sports star in a few years!"
"What about the Yankees? In terms of commercial potential and exposure, the New York Yankees absolutely crush all other teams. Not to mention, with Rodriguez and Teixeira announcing their retirement, they urgently need a Big Name to rebuild the brand value of the 'Evil Empire.' Although Hal Steinbrenner is not as enthusiastic as his father George, the Yankees are still among the top five teams paying luxury tax each year—if Guanglai can make a name for himself in the Bronx, with his unique Dual Swordsmanship and the Yankees platform, he can instantly become a world-class sports star!"
The professional team assembled by Nomura Katsuhiko gave their opinions from various angles. Seeing the managers arguing endlessly, Lin Guanglai raised his hand to stop the scene from happening:
"Alright, everyone, please stop arguing. I have heard all your opinions, and the conditions proposed during meetings with various teams are clear—please give me some time, I want to make this decision myself. Thank you all."
Leaving the negotiation site where he had stayed for three days, during the rest of this decisive week, Lin Guanglai visited many people: including Izumi Minoru, Wang Zhenzhi, Akiyama Koji, and Kodama Komei, who were mentors in his baseball career, as well as teammates from high school and SoftBank.
Even juniors like Seiomi Koutaro, whom he recruited to Waseda Jitsugyo, and Yamamoto Yuusen, who his father once asked him to look after, he went to meet—
The former is now the brightest star in the Takayama, leading Waseda Jitsugyo back to the top four in his first year, and now as the strongest high school player, preparing to replicate the miracles Lin Guanglai once created;
While the latter, although not achieving much in high school, received a fourth nomination from the Orix Buffaloes at this year's nomination meeting, touching the threshold of professional baseball.
After spending these days talking with each of them, Lin Guanglai had a roughly formed blueprint about his future in the United States—in the evening of the seventh day, he returned to his home in Tokyo and dialed Nomura Katsuhiko's phone number.
"Guanglai, you've finally called... So, have you decided which team to join?" Over the past few days, Lin Guanglai had often been half out of touch, worrying his agent Nomura Katsuhiko greatly.
On the other end of the phone, Lin Guanglai pondered for a moment, then spoke with a determined will, as if he had made up his mind:
"Regarding my choice of team, Mr. Tuan, I have made my decision."
"I want to take my talent to—"
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When Joe Girardi arrived at the bar, what he saw was Cashman sitting there drinking sullenly—he had partnered with this Yankees general manager for almost ten years, and it was the first time he'd seen him like this.
"Drinking alone here? That's not like you—you are the general manager of our Yankees team, how come you look so dispirited now?" He sat down on a booth beside him, ordered a drink from the waiter, and teased as he spoke.
Brian Cashman glanced at him, took another sip, and then slowly spoke, "I'm not drinking out of frustration, I'm just preparing for the operations that lie ahead..."
"If we can land Lin, our roster for next season and the future seasons has a basic outline—Aaron has already proven his talent, and we have a top-five level genius like Gleyber in our farm system, and with Lin, as long as we can add another star in the coming years, we'll be competitive for many years to come—like Machado from the Orioles or Harper from the Nationals... These good players who can hit and defend are all we can pursue."
"But if Lin goes to another team, we'll have to think carefully about how to fill the void left by A-Rod and Mark. This winter I've studied it closely, and if Lin doesn't come, then I'm going to try after this offseason ends, to pursue Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters' Ohtani Shohai—though he isn't quite at Lin's level yet, his talent is also outstanding. Signing him could have a similar effect."
"If pursuing Ohtani also fails, then I'm prepared to go all-in with the farm's potential prospects to see if we can bring in Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins—their contract is about to expire, and a new renewal is bound to be sky-high, a small club like the Marlins will likely find it hard to offer a satisfactory price; but what can I say, unless it's absolutely necessary, I'm not keen on making that deal. Stanton is powerful, but paying such a price for a player who can only hit as a DH—is it really worth it? I think it's hard to say..."
At this point, Cashman couldn't help but sigh and revealed his heartfelt thoughts to Girardi beside him, "So, I'd still prefer to land Lin—if we can get Lin, someone can immediately fill A-Rod's void, and during the season, we only need to make trades as needed; this team will be a strong contender for the championship."
"But now the initiative isn't in our hands, is it?" Girardi smiled faintly, spreading his hands towards Cashman.
"Sigh—" Cashman sighed again, clinked glasses with Girardi, and downed his drink in one go, "Yes, the talent and brilliance of Lin are evident even to the blind. Who wouldn't want such a player? Anyway, I've said everything I needed to say, and we have given the best conditions we can; now we just have to do our best and leave the rest to fate..."
"Ring ring ring—!!!" As Cashman was about to continue, his phone rang.
He took out his phone from his pocket, and the instant he saw the caller ID, Brian Cashman's intoxication instantly vanished—it's just past 10 PM Japan time, less than two hours before Lin Guanglai announces his decision. If someone is calling at this time, could it mean...?
Cashman just felt a little lump in his throat, his emotions unrestrainedly becoming excited—the last time he was this nervous was in the 2009 World Series Game 6, top of the ninth inning, two outs, when Mariano Rivera threw that game-winning pitch.
"Hello, Mr. Tuan's agent, what can I do for you so late?" Cashman cautiously asked the other end of the phone, fearing this was a dream.
However, the voice on the other end wasn't Nomura Katsuhiko's familiar voice, but Lin Guanglai's young and vibrant voice:
"Mr. Cashman, this is Lin Guanglai. Before I announce my final decision to the public, I felt it necessary to inform you—"
"I have chosen to join the New York Yankees. For the next six years, please give me your guidance."
