BUY THE ARM

Scout: Ohtani more valuable as ace than slugger

Even without mega-millions to spend, the Yankees are considered the favorites to land two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani after he is posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters late next week.

Ohtani, 23, will have 21 days to choose from the f ield of teams that f iled the $20 million posting fee, meaning he would sign with a major league team no later than Dec. 23.

“The Yankees are set up to get him. They will use [Masahiro] Tanaka to help them and the money he will make in endorsements in New York will be large,’’ predicted a person who has seen Ohtani pitch and hit in Japan. “It’s a great fit.’’

Another industry source said the stars have aligned for the Yankees to grab the 6-foot-4, 214-pound Ohtani, who pitches right-handed and hits left-handed.

“He is wha t t hey need wit hout spending a ton of money,’’ the talent evaluator said of the Yankees, who have $3.5 million [the second highest] in international pool money to offer Ohtani if he selects to negotiate with them. Ohtani will sign a minor league deal and if he reaches the majors in 2018, he will play for the minimum, which is expected to be in the mid-$500,000 range.

While Ohtani, who will be represented by CAA, wants to pitch and hit in the big leagues, most organizations believe his value is on the mound.

“He is so good I don’t know who you can compare him to in the states except for maybe [Justin] Verlander. He is an ace, a No. 1. When you get to the playoffs, he is your Game 1 starter,’’ said the scout who followed Ohtani. “His stuff is elite. The fastball is 100 mph, the slider is 94, he has a split, a change, clean arm action and is very athletic.’’ Letting Ohtani hit regularly on the days he doesn’t pitch would be a mistake, according to the scout. “To appease him and use him as a DH is just asking for injury,’’ the scout said. “Maybe use him as the DH the game after he pitches or in the outfield two days before he starts. But it’s a risk.’’

Yet, the same voice doesn’t fall in line with a lot of others who believe Oh ta ni is a far better pitcher than hitter.

“He is a good hitter. You give him 600 at-bats and he will hit 30 to 35 homers, especially since he would be playing in Yankee Sta - dium,’’ the evaluator said.

Another scout said the added velocity from MLB pitchers will give Ohtani problems at the plate.

“He has long arms and there aren’t many long-arm hitters,’’ the scout said. “He doesn’t like velocity.’’

Ohtani’s desire to pitch and hit figures to limit his opportunities to the AL because of the opportunity to DH.

By leaving Japan two years before he would be a free agent who could sign a long-term deal for $100 million or more, it’s evident Ohtani isn’t going to join a team without a

chance to win.

Outside of the Yankees, the Dodge r s , Ra n ge r s , Cubs and Mariners are believed to have a chance to land Ohtani, who was slowed by a lower leg problem this past season.

He was limited to 65 games as a hitter and five on the mound. Ohtani hit .332 with a .942 OPS and went 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA. He is a career . 286 hitter with a .859 OPS and is 42-15 with a 2.52 ERA in 85 games (82 starts). Like Tanaka, Ohtani has forged a reputation in Japan for throwing strikes. He has whiffe d 624 batte rs in 543 innings in which he has allowed 384 hits and

walked 200.