The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters said Thursday they will negotiate with prized high school right-hander Shohei Otani this weekend.
The Pacific League champions made the Hanamaki Higashi High School phenom their No. 1 pick at last month's amateur draft, even though Otani had stated his desire to play in the major leagues.
Otani has met with three teams from the majors, but there are several more believed to be interested.
Nippon Ham general manager Masao Yamada will sit down at the table with Otani's parents on Saturday, hoping to dissuade the 193cm fireballer from making the jump stateside.
The sides met last weekend in Iwate Prefecture, but Otani did not attend the talks.