The Diamondbacks are interested in flying to Japan to meet with Masahiro Tanaka, although they have not yet scheduled a meeting, Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com reports. The Diamondbacks have been connected to Tanaka and other top free-agent starters, although Piecoro notes that it will be tricky for them to outbid the Yankees and other big-market teams for Tanaka's services. Here are more notes from the West divisions.
- The Yankees are the favorites to get Tanaka, but he would provide such a big boost to the Angels' rotation that he could change the complexion of the AL West if he heads to Anaheim, Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes (on Sulia).
- The futures of Padres relievers Joaquin Benoit and Huston Street are intertwined, the San Diego Union-Tribune's Bill Center writes. The Padres have signed Benoit to a two-year deal that pays him $6MM in 2014 and $8MM in 2015, with an $8MM option for 2016 and a $1.5MM buyout. The option vests, however, if Benoit finishes 55 games in 2015, which would only happen if he were the closer for almost the entire season. Street, meanwhile, will be paid $7MM in 2014, with a $7MM option for 2015. Street will close for the Padres in 2014, but it's unclear what will happen after that. "Huston has done it very well for a long time. Benoit has done it for four years. Huston is a pro. Nothing changes here," says Padres GM Josh Byrnes. "We do have a decision for 2015. Nothing is guaranteed for 2015."
Teams have to fly to Japan to meet with him? I thought he’d already be in the states by now. Maybe things will start to pick up after New Years.
That surprised me, too.
It could also be that he was planning on coming to the states after the New Year’s but some teams might look to “pay their respects” in a sense by taking the time to visit Tanaka in Japan. While we’re playing the same sport as they are, remember we are dealing with a different culture around their version of the game.
They’re trying to be the first one’s knocking on his door. It also gives a “business justification” for a lucky executive to expense a free trip to Japan.
I believe the signing period doesn’t end until late January, so there’s still plenty of time.
I’d love to do Japan… ski and then jump in natural hot springs… I’d intern for the trip haha.
The window for bidding is just 30 days (ending January 24th, I believe). Would be nearly impossible for him to visit every team interested–which may be all 30.
It seems that every day the “insert team” are “favorites” to sign Tanaka change. I guess today it’s the Yanks turn.
It’s honestly a matter of opinion sometimes bias has to do with it.
They have been a favorite to sign him since he was posted actually.
I guess you missed the reports about the Cubs and Dodgers being “favorites” too. It’s far too early to come up with favorites, IMO. Have all teams even talked to him? Has anyone made an offer?
As far as money, I agree–I don’t think anyone will outbid the Yanks because they desperately need him. However, if, say, Tanaka is set on playing in the West Coast so he can be closer to Japan, then there’s nothing the Yanks can do–except relocate, lol.
They said the same thing when CC Sabathia was a FA. Money talks.
or when tex was a free agent and want to sign with the hometown o’s and his wife made him take more money with the yanks.
I didn’t miss any of the reports. All I said was that the Yankees have been a favorite to land him since the beginning. Not the only team with a shot at him, heck even the Diamondbacks have been linked to him, but NYY has been a favorite since he was posted and well before that. That’s all
The thing is though, these reports seem to point out one definitive team that is the “favorite” to sign Tanaka. Of course, I can understand the Yanks, and the Cubs, and the Dodgers, and the Mariners, and the Angels, etc. as all being “one of the favorites” to sign him. I’m not sure why they keep switching from team to team as THE favorite to sign him.
says the New York media, Tanaka has never indicated a desire for them and been linked to prefer the west coast, it comes down to money but he’s not dazzled by the yanks.
Tanaka never stated himself that he wants to pitch on the west coast, its a false rumor.
that’s not false, he indicated as much in interviews with Japanese media
Where are these interviews that you speak of?
Both Bill Shaken and Buster Olney have reported this
I’ve seen them report this but they are only speculating that he “MIGHT” prefer the west coast because its closer to Japan. Fanbases of west coast teams have taken this rumor and twisted it into something factual which it isn’t.
No this is derived from interviews, I realize this is disheartening to think that no matter what the yankees throw at someone he may still prefer somewhere else. I guarantee nothing and am certainly much less confident than you, not trying to start a war here but I don’t see the yanks as the the team to beat at all.
I didn’t say the Yankees were the team to beat, nor did I imply that they were. I honestly don’t think the Yankees are the biggest threat, the Cubs are. You still haven’t showed me any articles which state that Tanaka has said he prefers the West Coast. And the point I’m trying to make is that this is simply a rumor.
Well if the Cubs are the front runners and the y happen to out bid everyone then we will know he was only about the money because why on earth would Tanaka want to be linked to a team like the Cubs 5-7 years (during his prime), a team that will never compete. Yes he would improve their chances but the Cubs won’t have what it takes Tanaka or no Tanaka.
Right the cubs never compete. They weren’t in the playoffs in 03,04,07. and didn’t have the most wins in 2008. Every team Competes. Period. Not every team has the hardware to show for it tho.
Now I know it will be hard for you to understand why Tanaka would want to sign with the Cubs, and not a team that is in playoff mode now. But the Cubs future is bright, they have top prospects moving threw the system. and should have a nice core in the future, and able to add pieces via FA to fill holes. now the cubs pitching is farther away from the hitting prospects. so if Tanaka Signs with us, he will have time to adjust and then take over the staff as a ace. Who wouldn’t want to be a Face of a Franchise? But where ever he goes wish him luck, will be nice to see him pitch more often tho.
Now you’re just going off on tangents. I’m sure that not many saw the Sox as the team to beat either. We all know what happened. You can never know for certain. We have a number of contenders, and of those contenders we’ll have a champion. I think that’s as much as one can break it down to.
I would say that wanting the most money is in fact a “desire to pitch for a team” if he does sign with the Yankees and they offer the most. There is also the fact that he shares the same agent as Derek Jeter. Also, Kuroda has wanted to pitch on the west coast for years too but he always signs back up with the Yankees so this all isn’t just in the minds of a few. The Yankees are and will be a “favorite” to land him.
C.C. Sabathia was reported to only want to pitch for a west coast team too when he was a free agent.
LoL, please don’t post stuff like this. Every time anyone even suggests that this guy won’t sign with the Yankees, we have to read through 50 posts about why he will and that no other team has a chance because its the Yankees and every baseball player wants to be a Yankee. You’re upsetting their delicate sensibilities.
You’ll see the Yankees will sign him. They wil over pay to get him.
Thank you for confirming my opinion.
Book a flight KT!! Don’t wait.
First Dodgers were the favorites now Yankees whos next
The Yankees are only favorites in New York and since New York is the center of the known Universe, well. My question is why would Tanaka want to play for a team with so much age that is so full of injury potential and has zero in their farm system? It would be a very bad choice to sign in New York for 5 to 7 years.
yea your right my question is to you would he rather be close to his home or farther away cause Japan is closer to California
Could be biggest NY is the biggest market in the world with a diverse population and the Yankees, have been criticised for the same thing for 20 years and made the postseason in 18 of those seasons, something no other team can remotely come close to saying.
Plus Kuroda, there’s always Kuroda.
Biggest market in the world? For sports, Manchester United ranks first (though Real Madrid may now be worth the most), followed by the Dallas Cowboys. The Yankees rank third. They’re first for baseball, but baseball isn’t the most profitable sport in the world.
I said biggest MARKET in the world. New York is the biggest market as it pertains to the baseball world. This is even evidenced by your own research.
So if Tanaka will sign with Manchester or Dallas, you’re right, otherwise, point stands.
Yeah, read your comment again, then read mine. You didn’t say BASEBALL MARKET, you just said MARKET, hence my response noting where baseball stands.
When you start talking about diverse population, you’re getting away from baseball. I simply wanted to know what your point was. NYC has more to offer it’s residents and players?
I noted in a comment above why a player would be interested in playing for the Yankees. I’m assuming (now) that you generally meant the same thing(s).
Incorrect on your claims.
Forbes puts the rankings as
Real Madrid 3.3. billion
Manchester United 3.17 billion
Barcelona 2.6 bilion
Yankees 2.3 billion
Cowboys 2.1 billion
Just hate when people make claims as facts when in fact they are wrong.
My comment seems to have disappeared.
The keyword was profitable, not valuable.
and the dodgers have ryu and texas has davish…whats your point?
And the Cubs have Kosuke!… O wait.
Last part was a joke.
How could you possibly know what things will look like in NY in 5 to 7 years?
Things are different today. Everyone has a lot more money from TV contracts. It’s going to be a rude awakening to the Yankee faithful when they can’t buy championships anymore. Actually, they did best when they built from within. Jeter was a #6 pick. That means the Yankees had a bad year previous to his drafting. The Yankees drafted for a core of young players that went on to win a few rings.
Now, everyone wants the Yankees to pay them $20 mill a year. You can only do that so many times until you hit the luxury tax. They are paying Tex $23 mill thru 2016, CC $23 to $25 thru 2016 and A-Rod $26 to $21 thru 2017. Now add McCann 5/$85, Ells 7/$153 and Beltran 3/$45. All of those guys have significant injury history over the last 3 to 5. They are paying Jeter $12 mill and he couldn’t play last year. They have no 2nd baseman. Tex? No guarantee the wrist is healthy let alone he’s in decline now.
Stick a fork in the Yankees. They are old. You don’t get FA compensation anymore either when your Type A’s just walk away, either.
No draft pick compensation, penalties for paying over slot in the draft and wicked TV money out there all spell danger to the evil empires MO.
Lol keep counting them out. I love it. By the way, you know who the oldest team in the majors is? The Boston Red Sox. Do you know what team won the World Series 1 year after being in last place in the division? That’s right, the Boston Red Sox.
Anything can happen in 1 year. If you can make predictions on what happens in 5-7 years, I might as well call you Miss Cleo.
The Red Sox also have a nice minor league system and have kids coming in and filling their roster spots. It’s all about balance. It’s going to take the Yankees a few years to refill their minor league system. In the meantime, it’s going to be rough for the Yankees. Bogurts and Bradley are filling holes lost by FAs. They also have another 2 or 3 kids that may contribute some this year.
Yes, anything can happen. Hmmm docmisscleo5 has a good ring. I’m just saying, aging injury prone vets, poor minor league system, a luxury tax, draft slots enforced, limits on international signings and other teams getting big boosts from regional tv deals means it’s just going to be tougher than it once was for the Yankees to buy championships.
Getting back to Tanaka, many teams will be able to match the money, it’s going to be about where he wants to play. If the Yankees miss out on Tanaka, they could be looking at 3rd or 4th place in the AL East.
That they surely do but it wasn’t heavily relied on. I do agree with you that it will take the Yankees a few years to rebuild the farm there’s no question about that. But it doesn’t make them a depleted team for the future. I do like how several franchises have secured long contracts for home grown players (Votto, King Felix, McCutch, Longoria, etc.), but there will be many who don’t and there’s where teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Tigers and others come in.
I’m not a Yankee fan, but since when have they not shown an ability to adapt? If they don’t have talent, they buy it. If they have consistent injury issues, they’ll address it no later than the offseason.
They have a long, respectable history that is attractive for many players. It’s understandable that many wish to be a part of that history. They’re a team that finds a way to the post season nearly every year.
Put it all together, and I think the attraction for NY is clear. That doesn’t mean a team like the Mariners wont be more attractive–for a number of other reasons, but I wouldn’t downplay NY.
I saw this comment on the Android mobile app and came here to give you an upvote.
I could also ask why would Tanaka want to play for a team that’s 3rd or 4th best in their division as well, maybe even for several years to come? (I’m talking about your Mariners….and heck even the Cubs who are going strong after him are no where near a playoff team yet).
There have been 9 posts about Tanaka today
The problem is that nothing is new
Love to see Arte sign Tanaka and tie up even more of his money for the next 5 years or more.
He would be doing so because he can afford it.
i’d love to see Arte sign Tanaka as well, not going to hurt his bottom line, i’d be more concerned with Fielder out there in Texas. Don’t act like the rangers aren’t dipping deep into questionable contracts…
One tactic would be to drive the price up for the Yankees/Sox/LAD and then hope for Irabu/Igawa return on investment.
I follow the Yankees pretty close and nothing I hear suggests they will overpay for Tanaka. In a bidding war someone always overpay. So even though the Yankees need him the most, and have the most money to spend, they are still hampered by the 189’er mentality that doomed them in 2013.
Red Sox are the dark horse here, but the Angels and Mariners have the most to gain from signing Tanaka besides the Yankees.
Hal Steinbrenner stated that 189 was ” a goal not a mandate” and they said they would not risk getting under it if they felt they couldn’t put a “championship-caliber team on the field” Those are the words he used in a radio interview a couple months ago. If they go over it they are going to go WAY over it.
Everything the Yankees have said implies they would go after Tanaka. They didn’t go after anyone last offseason because they didn’t have 90 million coming off the books.
I don’t think the M’s or Halo’s have any more to gain than the Dbacks do. AZ needs front line pitching. That was their biggest need going into the off season and it still is today.
The NYY are only the favourites to sign him because they keep saying they are. Lots of $ out there not attached to a decaying team like those dinosaurs .
It’ll suck if he comes out and puts up like Joe Blanton numbers 12-10ish 3.9x or 4.xx ERAs for 100 MM over 6 or 7 years.
Joe Blanton would kill for those numbers
Trading in all of his signed Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt gear at the pawn shop as we speak.
The Yanks may have been the favorites prior to the changing of the posting rules, but at this point the bidding is wide open. If ARod doesn’t get at least 162 games then it’s possible the Yanks try to stay below 189 and wait for next season’s FA pitching class.