FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017, file photo, Commissioner Rob Manfred listens to a question following the two-day meeting of Major League Baseball owners, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Chicago. With Japanese star Shohei Otani considering a jump to an MLB team, Manfred said he believes it will be hard for teams to circumvent existing contract rules in pursuit of the coveted two-way player. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)