Former Mets, Buffaloes skipper backs Ohtani's choices, talks Japanese baseball

Slugging ace pitcher Shohei Ohtani is likely better off now because of his circuitous path to the majors, according to former Orix Buffaloes and New York Mets manager Terry Collins.Five years ago, Ohtani turned down dream offers from American clubs as a high school senior, choosing instead to play five years in Nippon Professional Baseball. And Collins is just one of the latest to say Ohtani might be more advanced now because of that decision."What he did in Japan really helped him. You can get stuck in the (American) minor leagues," said Collins, who built up the Los Angeles Dodgers farm s…READ FULL ARTICLE