Tanaka to be posted

[$500 Million]

Let the good times roll......

This contract could be a game changer, and not in a way that's good for small market teams.

 

[BigDDude]

This contract could be a game changer, and not in a way that's good for small market teams.

Agreed.

BUT, until MLB does something to better level the playing field, I am going to enjoy the advantage the Dodgers have on most.

 

[$500 Million]

As Masahiro Tanaka begins his tour around the United States to meet with teams that he could be pitching for next season, three cities have emerged as early favorites. John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that New York, Los Angeles, and Boston are the top preferred destinations on Tanaka's list going into his meetings. Technically, that would include five teams: Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Angels, and Red Sox. The Mets haven't seemed to be at the front of the Tanaka sweepstakes, and the Red Sox have said before that it is unlikely they'll add a pitcher before the season begins.

If Shae is correct, two of the main players for Tanaka, the Dodgers and Yankees, will likely have to fight to the finish for the Japanese right-handers services for 2014 and beyond. The Dodgers have shown a willingness to spare no expense that hasn't quite been the Yankees' M.O. lately, but the Yankees don't have the concern of needing to keep Clayton Kershaw around before he hits free agency, either.

The Yankees front office has not been shy about their desire to put Tanaka in pinstripes and their need for a pitcher with top of the rotation stuff is obvious. A change to the posting system might have tempered their desires a little, with more of the money coming in the form of a large contract for the player instead of a tax-free lump sum to the player's Japanese team. With the inability to turn a pitching prospect into major league gold becoming more and more of a concern and teams not allowing their stars to reach free agency the way they did in the past, the Yankees may need to just bite the bullet and do what is necessary to land Tanaka, unless the bidding gets completely out of control.

For all the promise that Tanaka holds, he is an unknown commodity in Major League Baseball. If the Yankees believe they can out-bid other teams at a price they can live with, they can't worry about things like luxury tax penalties. Tanaka sees the city of New York as a favorite early on, according to Shae, which is more of an advantage than all but two other cities have. The Steinbrenners have said they are all-in, but at some point, they're going to have to prove it.

Yankees rumors: New York among Masahiro Tanaka's three preferred landing spots - Pinstripe Alley

 

[$500 Million]

Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw sits and waits.

 

[gregrey972]

Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw sits and waits.

Hey if the Dodgers don't want to treat Kershaw right...I know us Ranger fans would be MORE THAN happy to welcome him back home!

 

[BigDDude]

Hey if the Dodgers don't want to treat Kershaw right...I know us Ranger fans would be MORE THAN happy to welcome him back home!

As far as I know, this is still a non-issue. That might change however. I still suspect that something will get done, and done sooner than later. Something with a sliding scale, with payments between $ 20 - $ 30 mil per sounds about right.

 

[$500 Million]

‏@BNightengale The #Dodgers, while confirming their interest in Tanaka, say they won't spend wildly on him, particularly with Kershaw about to hit FA

Looks like the Dodgers are backtracking a bit.

 

[$500 Million]

But....but...they said..

 

[BigDDude]

But....but...they said..

"They said" for 1 day does not equal "They said" for 1 year.

Still,......, well played.

 

[da55bums]

The Royals haven't spoke out about their position on the topic yet, haven't heard the announced press release anyway, still waiting....

 

[BigDDude]

The Royals haven't spoke out about their position on the topic yet, haven't heard the announced press release anyway, still waiting....

About the best example of irony I have read here all week.

Well played Mauer.........

 

[romeo212000]

What has led you to believe the Rangers don't have a chance in getting him? Anything to support that thought?

Exactly. This guy is an idiot.

 

[romeo212000]

I know it's from a couple of years ago, but didn't I read somewhere that Pitch F/X registered his fastball as having tons of movement?

You sure you're not thinking of Darvish?

 

[romeo212000]

I bet if the rangers had a chance to get him you'd be licking his nuts.

And what makes you say the rangers have no chance of getting him? You got no fucking clue. Thanks for playing, putz.

 

[$500 Million]

Sports Hochi (the Japanese ESPN) says the Yankees, along with the two Los Angeles clubs, are the finalists for Tanaka.

 

[Nyfan1980]

Apparently the Cubs are prepared to offer Tanaka a 9 figure contract. Hes definitely getting over $100 mil.


But what I think takes the Cubs out of it is this.

Elliott's source also outlined what Tanaka will be seeking from potential suitors. "Tanaka wants to go to a World Series, wants a city where his family will feel at home since they don’t speak English. He has a desire to be on a team with potential to win and loves the pressure."

The Cubs give you pretty much no chance to win. If he loves the pressure and wants potential to win and where he can feel at home, the Yankees would be a perfect landing spot.

 

[DragonfromTO]

You sure you're not thinking of Darvish?

Nope. Found the writeup

A PITCHf/x look at Masahiro Tanaka - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

 

[steveringo]

Just saying:

Signing Tanaka -- or at least aggressive pursuing him -- makes more sense the more you step back from just 2014.
Of those six starters under contract, three of them enter the final year of their current deals: [URL="http://projostats.projo.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=6006"]Ryan Dempster[/URL], [URL="http://projostats.projo.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=6872"]Jake Peavy[/URL] and [URL="http://projostats.projo.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=7790"]Jon Lester[/URL]. [URL="http://projostats.projo.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=6953"]John Lackey[/URL] has an option for 2015 at the league minimum, which Boston will pick up so long as Lackey's right arm doesn't fall off -- and maybe even in that scenario.
This means that the Red Sox will have an awful lot of money tied into their starters freed up after this coming season. Dempster, Peavy and Lester will make $40.75 million in 2014. Lackey will make $15.95 million. That adds up to more than $56 million to spend in 2015 that the team won't have coming into this season. Subtract the $5 million raise owed [URL="http://projostats.projo.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=8090"]Clay Buchholz[/URL] and a raise in the first year of arbitration for [URL="http://projostats.projo.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=8746"]Felix Doubront[/URL], and the Sox will still have better than $45 million coming out of their rotation.

Why Masahiro Tanaka makes more sense for the Red Sox than you think | Red Sox - Complete analysis & insight | The Providence Journal


Enough for Lester & Tanaka?

 

[$500 Million]

Your Sox are out, see my above post.

 

[steveringo]

Your Sox are out, see my above post.

(not that I think Boston was really ever in it)