Otani likely to sign with MLB in costly move

Shohei Otani is likely to leave Japan and sign with a Major League Baseball team after this season, according to multiple reports in Japanese media. The move would cost the 23-year-old pitcher and outfielder more than $100 million.

In his fifth season with the Nippon Ham Fighters, the reigning Pacific League MVP is prized as both a pitcher and hitter. But under restrictions in MLB’s new collective bargaining agreement, his signing bonus would be limited to about $3 million to $4 million. That’s a fraction of the $155 million, seven-year deal that pitcher Masahiro Tanaka received from the New York Yankees before the 2014 season. Otani would have to wait until after the 2019 season to receive a comparable deal in MLB.

Otani has a 39-15 record with a 2.60 ERA and 601 strikeouts in 522 1/3 innings, and a .286 batting average with 47 homers and 163 RBIs. He has been limited to 51 games this season by thigh and ankle injuries.

This time, no unpleasant surprises for Los Angeles and Paris. The Olympics are all but in the bag.

The French capital is set to be confirmed as the Olympic host in 2024, with the 2028 Games going to Los Angeles.

The IOC decided to award two games at the same time, and L.A. later abandoned its bid for 2024 during negotiations with the IOC and Paris.

Paris last hosted the games in 1924. It bid unsuccessfully for the games of 1992, 2008 and 2012.

LA hosted the 1984 Games. The last American city to bid for the Summer Games was Chicago, losing the 2016 Olympic vote to Rio de Janeiro.

Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph has been sentenced to community service after being arrested for marijuana possession and resisting arrest following an incident last month.

Los Angeles city attorney’s office spokesman Frank Mateljan says Randolph entered a no contest plea Sept. 13.

He says Randolph was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and may ask for the charges to be vacated if he stays out of trouble for a year.

Randolph, a 16-year NBA veteran, spent eight seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies before signing with the Sacramento Kings in July.

A former Chicago attorney has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for orchestrating a tax fraud scheme that impacted the finances of several NFL players.

During a hearing Sept. 13, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber said Gary Stern’s scheme not only defrauded the IRS out of millions of dollars in tax revenue but also financially damaged victims.

Stern pleaded guilty to funneling renewable energy tax credits through business entities for wealthy clients to claim nearly $5 million in tax credits. Nearly 20 current and former NFL stars lost money as part of the fraud.