I'd like to draw your attention to Masahiro Tanaka

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Sampo Gida said:
 
The only entity not happy other than the NPB is the big market teams of MLB.  Teams like the Yankees for example.  Instead of getting Tanaka at a 10-12 milion AAV they may be forced to pay over 15 million AAV under the proposed system since they will be competing against 2 other teams, and more than this if Tanaka comes to the US as a free agent.  MLB probably hopes to delay the agreement for 1 year, and agree to maintain the old system for this year to allow the Yankees a clear shot at Tanaka and a lower AAV.  Of course, Tanaka could very well wait till next year if the Yankees try to low ball him, but thats putting the cart before the horse.  
 
The proposed system includes negotiating exclusivity to the highest bidder, so there's no competing against other teams with respect to AAV once you've won the rights.
 

Tokyo Sox

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I think there is some truth in both sides of the PP/Hoplite back n forth.  Hoplite is correct that MLB has all the leverage.  Obviously the talent flow is one-way and I think if NPB doesn't agree to MLB's terms, and/or, eventually reduce the indentured servitude period from 9 years down to something like 5~7, then what will happen is that more and more guys will go the Tazawa route or even just declare for the MLB draft.  That seems inevitable to me if NPB doesn't change the way they do things domestically.  A revamped posting system will only delay that, not stop it.
 
That said I mostly agree with PP that Nomo, Irabu, and especially Soriano have no place as examples of anything that could/would happen today, and that cultural issues do play a significant role.  Another cultural consideration is that if someone "defected" in that manner, they would cede all hope of ever being asked to play for the national team at the WBC or Olympics ever again.  That may not mean much to US ballplayers, but it means a lot to most of these guys.
 

Hoplite

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Sampo Gida said:
 
But MLB benefits from a posting system as it allows teams to pay Japanese players at below market rates.  Japanese players jumping over as free agents would allow them to seek bids from all 30 teams, and not just 1 team or 3 teams as is being proposed.  Thats a worst case scenario for MLB.
 
The biggest problem with the current posting system is that posting fees have gotten out of hand. The proposed system helps with that, albeit at the cost of higher salaries for the players, which will still be below market value. 
 
Japanese teams were the most satiisfied with the status quo.  Japanese players forced a change.  MLB players are probably happy with the proprosed system since it inflates salaries and puts them more on a level playing field with MLB free agents.  Not quite there, but better.
 
Small market MLB teams will be happy since it improves competive balance by removing an advantage the big market teams have in paying large posting fees to circumvent the luxury tax .  More smaller market teams will be able to participate in the posting process since they won't have to have the top bid and the average of the top 2 bids will be considerable less than the top bid, at least based on previous cases. 
 
The only entity not happy other than the NPB is the big market teams of MLB.  Teams like the Yankees for example.  Instead of getting Tanaka at a 10-12 milion AAV they may be forced to pay over 15 million AAV under the proposed system since they will be competing against 2 other teams, and more than this if Tanaka comes to the US as a free agent.  MLB probably hopes to delay the agreement for 1 year, and agree to maintain the old system for this year to allow the Yankees a clear shot at Tanaka and a lower AAV.  Of course, Tanaka could very well wait till next year if the Yankees try to low ball him, but thats putting the cart before the horse.  
 
It doesn't seem like the smaller market teams are happy. One of the hold ups was supposedly that the smaller market teams don't think it's fair that big spenders get to spend $50+ million on a posting fee and then sign players at below market rates to avoid the luxury tax.
 




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The issue was small-market teams wanting posting fees to count vs luxury tax. Without a change to the CBA, that can not happen. Moot point.
 

Hoplite

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Tokyo Sox said:
I think there is some truth in both sides of the PP/Hoplite back n forth.  Hoplite is correct that MLB has all the leverage.  Obviously the talent flow is one-way and I think if NPB doesn't agree to MLB's terms, and/or, eventually reduce the indentured servitude period from 9 years down to something like 5~7, then what will happen is that more and more guys will go the Tazawa route or even just declare for the MLB draft.  That seems inevitable to me if NPB doesn't change the way they do things domestically.  A revamped posting system will only delay that, not stop it.
 
That said I mostly agree with PP that Nomo, Irabu, and especially Soriano have no place as examples of anything that could/would happen today, and that cultural issues do play a significant role.  Another cultural consideration is that if someone "defected" in that manner, they would cede all hope of ever being asked to play for the national team at the WBC or Olympics ever again.  That may not mean much to US ballplayers, but it means a lot to most of these guys.
 
Tazawa's a bit of a special case because he went undrafted, and therefore wasn't subject to NPB's working agreement. When high school players who will be drafted state their intention to declare for the MLB draft, NPB threatens to ban them from their league for three years if they become international free agents and teams tend to draft them anyways. It happened last year with Shohei Otani and the Fighters drafted him, gave him a large signing bonus, promised him Darvish' old number, and gave him a packet full of minor league horror stories. After meeting with him multiple times, Otani eventually backed down and stayed in Japan. It's a big risk for high school players who won't get guaranteed major league contracts.
 

Tokyo Sox

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Tazawa didn't "go undrafted"; he would have been the top pick in the draft several times.  He asked specifically not to be drafted and made it clear he would not sign.  A couple teams did try to draft him anyway, in more than one year, but just as he said he would, he refused to sign.  The three year rule you cite is commonly known as "The Tazawa Rule", which is a silly punitive rule NPB only just put in place a few years ago when Tazawa made the move from shakai yakyuu (Corporate League) to MLB.  He's the reason the rule exists.
 
But anyway we're not really in disagreement; I wrote that *IF* NPB does not agree to some new posting framework, and/or reduce the 9 year service time requirement, you would likely see more guys do what Tazawa did, or just declare for the draft.  I know all about Otani; the Sox thought they had an inside track on signing him right up until the very end.  His decision to stay was probably made in part by the fact that there was a posting agreement in place at the time, and he never imagined there was a chance he'd have to play 9 full years before going Stateside.
 

Hoplite

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Tokyo Sox said:
Tazawa didn't "go undrafted"; he would have been the top pick in the draft several times.  He asked specifically not to be drafted and made it clear he would not sign.  A couple teams did try to draft him anyway, in more than one year, but just as he said he would, he refused to sign.  The three year rule you cite is commonly known as "The Tazawa Rule", which is a silly punitive rule NPB only just put in place a few years ago when Tazawa made the move from shakai yakyuu (Corporate League) to MLB.  He's the reason the rule exists.
 
But anyway we're not really in disagreement; I wrote that *IF* NPB does not agree to some new posting framework, and/or reduce the 9 year service time requirement, you would likely see more guys do what Tazawa did, or just declare for the draft.  I know all about Otani; the Sox thought they had an inside track on signing him right up until the very end.  His decision to stay was probably made in part by the fact that there was a posting agreement in place at the time, and he never imagined there was a chance he'd have to play 9 full years before going Stateside.
 
You're right about Tazawa, I apologize. I also didn't know they made that three year rule because of him, that's interesting. I agree that if there was no posting process whatsoever, the younger Japanese born players may opt out of the draft altogether (despite the risks). I also think non-Japanese players playing in the NPB who wouldn't be leaving families behind would probably follow in Soriano's footsteps if the MLB agreement not to recognize them as free agents is not renewed. Not sure if they'd be able to do that that immediately or have to wait until next June.
 

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“@dylanohernandez: Sponichi: MLB proposing posting-fee limit for Japanese players. If multiple teams submit max bid, player goes to team with worst record.”

This is down right idiotic
 

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soxhop411 said:
“@dylanohernandez: Sponichi: MLB proposing posting-fee limit for Japanese players. If multiple teams submit max bid, player goes to team with worst record.”

This is down right idiotic
Well, it's kind of nutty.   But every other means of talent acquisition except for free agency gives privilege to the team with the lower record in order to promote a balance of power.  So it's not crazy that this avenue for talent acquisition should eventually be predicated upon the same preference.  
 
The yankees won 85 games.  Which teams that could afford a big expenditure like the maximum bid (whatever it is) won fewer games than the yankees? 
Angels --78 wins
Cubs --  66 wins
Orioles -- 85 wins (not sure that they would spend the money or how MLB would resolve the tie in records)
Toronto -- 74 wins
 
Somebody else with fewer than nyy's 85 wins could surprise us all like the Giants with 76 wins.  Who knows?
 

jimbobim

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The worst record things seems disputed. Seems there will be a open high bidding number. Then the teams negotiate from there with Tanaka choosing at the end. Gives player more options and gives the Japanese team the risk/reward of setting the posting number and the player market.The worse record caveat I think would be a red line for successful big market teams and it would hamstring the market. 
 
 

MLB proposes max bid on negotiating rights with Japanese players. #Dodgers or#Angels wouldn't be able to make blowout bid on Tanaka.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 2, 2013

If multiple teams make max bid on Japanese player, he decides team with which he'll negotiate. If adopted, a bit of help for small markets.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 2, 2013
 

jimbobim

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Sherman wrong on Bailey but here's his source on posting system. Seems MLB is playing hardball. If its only 20 million Tanaka will probably have his choice of anyone in the league to negotiate with. 
 
 MLB has a current proposal that involves a max threshold of just $20 million. In this scenario, MLB teams could put in a blind bid from nothing to $20 million, no more. What would happen if multiple teams bid $20 million – which would almost certainly be the case with Tanaka – has not fully been determined. However, the likelihood is the Japanese player would get to pick with which team he wants to negotiate.
Japanese officials are said to be strongly against this system, feeling it does not pay their teams enough for the player.
 

FanSinceBoggs

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soxhop411 said:
“@dylanohernandez: Sponichi: MLB proposing posting-fee limit for Japanese players. If multiple teams submit max bid, player goes to team with worst record.”

This is down right idiotic
 
I came to the opposite conclusion: I like the idea of giving his rights to the weakest team.
 
It would be similar to the MLB draft, with the weakest records getting the highest picks.  I think that system makes sense.  Likewise, this makes sense as well and would promote competitive balance.
 

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FanSinceBoggs said:
 
I came to the opposite conclusion: I like the idea of giving his rights to the weakest team.
 
It would be similar to the MLB draft, with the weakest records getting the highest picks.  I think that system makes sense.  Likewise, this makes sense as well and would promote competitive balance.
 
So, if the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays all bid the highest and have the same record...what then?
 

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jimbobim said:
Sherman wrong on Bailey but here's his source on posting system. Seems MLB is playing hardball. If its only 20 million Tanaka will probably have his choice of anyone in the league to negotiate with. 
 
 MLB has a current proposal that involves a max threshold of just $20 million. In this scenario, MLB teams could put in a blind bid from nothing to $20 million, no more. What would happen if multiple teams bid $20 million – which would almost certainly be the case with Tanaka – has not fully been determined. However, the likelihood is the Japanese player would get to pick with which team he wants to negotiate.
Japanese officials are said to be strongly against this system, feeling it does not pay their teams enough for the player.
 
Setting a $20m cap would be absurd - would the NPB really agree to this? I know a Matsuzaka/Yarvish/Tanaka only comes around once every few years, but there's almost no upside for them. The mediocre players will continue to get well under $20m, while the truly (projectable) elite players will get 1/3 to 1/2 of what they otherwise might. If I'm the Golden Eagles, I'm inclined to tell MLB to pound sand, and threaten to ride out Tanaka until he's a FA. Surely they'll make considerably more than $20m in revenue in upcoming seasons.
 

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paulb0t said:
 
Setting a $20m cap would be absurd - would the NPB really agree to this? I know a Matsuzaka/Yarvish/Tanaka only comes around once every few years, but there's almost no upside for them. The mediocre players will continue to get well under $20m, while the truly (projectable) elite players will get 1/3 to 1/2 of what they otherwise might. If I'm the Golden Eagles, I'm inclined to tell MLB to pound sand, and threaten to ride out Tanaka until he's a FA. Surely they'll make considerably more than $20m in revenue in upcoming seasons.
 
 
i thought MLB had all the leverage? if NPB tells MLB to fuck off, then we can jut say, well come on down, no posting fee for anybody!! but there is a fairly high chance i do not know what i am talking about
 

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sean1562 said:
 
 
i thought MLB had all the leverage? if NPB tells MLB to fuck off, then we can jut say, well come on down, no posting fee for anybody!! but there is a fairly high chance i do not know what i am talking about
 
Yup, this about sums it up.  Without a posting fee each NPB player can do what Nomo and Soriano did:  "retire" and sign with an MLB team.  NPB's only recourse at that point is to ban them from their league, a rather toothless threat for a player who's trying to leave anyway.
 

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paulb0t said:
 
Setting a $20m cap would be absurd - would the NPB really agree to this? I know a Matsuzaka/Yarvish/Tanaka only comes around once every few years, but there's almost no upside for them. The mediocre players will continue to get well under $20m, while the truly (projectable) elite players will get 1/3 to 1/2 of what they otherwise might. If I'm the Golden Eagles, I'm inclined to tell MLB to pound sand, and threaten to ride out Tanaka until he's a FA. Surely they'll make considerably more than $20m in revenue in upcoming seasons.
 
The posting fee goes to the club .. not the player. So this really shouldn't affect the player except in the sense that the "winning" bid could be from a team with limited resources and , as a result, a smaller subsequent contract. Of course , if they allow the player to make the choice - as opposed to the team with the weakest record - then that wouldn't apply.
 

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Why shouldn't the posting fee just count against the posting team's salary cap (AAV)? It is, in essence, a sunk cost to acquire a player.
 
It doesn't solve the problem of wealthy teams and high postings, but at least there's some equity factored in.
 
And NPB will never agree to a posting cap.
 

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geoduck no quahog said:
Why shouldn't the posting fee just count against the posting team's salary cap (AAV)? It is, in essence, a sunk cost to acquire a player.
 
It doesn't solve the problem of wealthy teams and high postings, but at least there's some equity factored in.
 
And NPB will never agree to a posting cap.
I think they said that would need to be added to the CBA…. So it will not happen till the CBA expires
 

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Brianish said:
Looks like they're not posting him - instead preparing a record-setting offer.
 
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/rakuten-wont-post-tanaka-planning-record-contract-offer.html
Makes sense.   He'll get them $20M if they post him next year, or whatever off-season is directly before their last year of control.  He'll be a late 20's potentially elite SP.  Over half the teams in baseball will top out the $20M bid limit even if he's a year older and a year closer to true free agency.
 

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MakMan44

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Sorry, I don't really understand how it works but why do they have to offer to compensate him? 
 
Is Tanaka not under team control?
 

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MakMan44 said:
Sorry, I don't really understand how it works but why do they have to offer to compensate him? 
 
Is Tanaka not under team control?
 
He's under team control until after the 2015 season. I'm guessing they want to offer more money now so as not to royally piss off their ace who has stated his desire to pitch in MLB.
 

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Of course if they wait until next year to post him (as opposed to posting him this year, as he has requested), Tanaka could refuse to sign and wait one more year until 2015, at which point Rakuten will get nada after having paid him "record setting" salary in 2013-14.
 

Brickowski

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And his team could play hardball (as Daisuke's team threatened to do when he and Boras were trying to pressure the Red Sox), send him to the Japanese minors, and he could never sniff free agency.
I guess I don't understand how the Japanese system works. "Free agency" means that a player is not under contract. How would sending a player to the Japanese minors create a contract where none existed?
 

Tokyo Sox

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I guess that is possible in theory, but I don't think Rakuten would ever take that approach.  The reason it was even a rumor in Daisuke's case is $50m is a ton of money that a team like Seibu really needed, and also that the Lions are just a poorly run team.  Rakuten is angry about the $20m cap, doesn't need the money nearly as badly anyway, and is a much more savvy organization from a business standpoint.  They are the heroes of Japan right now, they're not going to screw with the guy whose legendary season got them to the mountain top.  
 

Brickowski

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Because just as in MLB, players need to accrue a certain amount of service time before they are granted free agency. In this case, Rakuten could demote him and stall his clock before he reaches it, basically out of spite. The players union here would prevent it but NPBPA (?)doesn't have nearly the weight as here.
Even if the players' union in Japan couldn't prevent this, my guess is that if one or two Japanese teams tried that with name players the whole posting system would fall apart.
 

mt8thsw9th

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My guess is he saw the Yankees' interest and asked the team not to post him and wait until an offseason in which a team that isn't awful isn't the team that shows the most interest.
 

Orel Miraculous

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Though it would suck for for MLB fans if he signs with Rakuten again, I think it would be better for the sport of baseball overall.  The sport will suffer if NPB becomes nothing more than a far eastern minor league for MLB, and that's exactly the direction the MLB owners are heading with this decision to cap posting fees (the next logical step would be to just abolish the system all together and allow all NPB players to Nomo their way in).  There has always been a lot of talk that NPB is poorly run and doesn't reach it's true economic potential, and some Japanese baseball personalities have been hoping for a "black ships" moment in which an existential threat from MLB finally forces NPB to reform.  This could be that moment.
 

Hoplite

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I still think Tanaka's going to be posted. I think the Golden Eagles are trying to save face and not make it look like they're letting their best player walk or that NPB is basically a minor league system for MLB.
 

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Brickowski said:
Even if the players' union in Japan couldn't prevent this, my guess is that if one or two Japanese teams tried that with name players the whole posting system would fall apart.
 
Agreed; I think the last thing both sides want is for this system to be seriously challenged in court, and whereas minor players won't take the risk of pissing off both leagues for a couple million, costing Tanaka $10 mil+/year by obviously deliberately sending him to the minors to kill his service time would absolutely be worth a lawsuit from him.
 
I kind of agree with Orel Miraculous in that it would be better for Japanese baseball if their stars don't simply bail for MLB as soon as they become great, but I also feel that it's horribly unfair to deprive someone like Takana of the chance to compete at the highest level (nevermind the significant pay discrepancy) simply to prop up the Japanese leagues. I already don't really like the rookie / arbitration pay system in MLB (from a personal freedom perspective), but that would be like forcing players to sign below-market free agency deals with the Royals or Astros if they happened to be drafted by them.
 

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The real question is how long is this going to drag out ? It's significantly holding up the market for not only the SP market but also the position player market. 
 

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http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/will-rakuten-announce-a-masahiro-tanaka-decision-on-christmas/
 
 

Will Rakuten Announce A Masahiro Tanaka Decision On Christmas?
 

December 22, 2013
by Ben Badler
 
The Rakuten Eagles could make an announcement about Masahiro Tanaka soon.
 
Tanaka is currently away in Tokyo making appearances at events today and tomorrow, according to Japanese media reports, including Nikkan Sports. While Tanaka said he has yet to hear back from Eagles management since he informed the team of his desire to pitch in Major League Baseball next season, it’s expected that the Eagles will inform Tanaka of their decision at their next meeting.
Since Tanaka could have more events beginning Dec. 26, the belief in Japan is that an announcement on Tanaka could come on Dec. 24 or Dec. 25. The deadline for the Eagles to decide whether to make Tanaka available through the posting system is Feb. 1, though it isn’t expected they would drag things out anywhere close to that date.
 
Tanaka, a 25-year-old ace in Japan, wants to pitch in MLB. Several major league teams project him as an immediate frontline starter and are eagerly anticipating his arrival. If posted, Tanaka would be the best pitcher on the market, so free agent starters Matt Garza, Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez want his situation resolved quickly so their markets can move forward.
 
On Christmas, they could all get an answer.
 

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Orel Miraculous said:
Though it would suck for for MLB fans if he signs with Rakuten again, I think it would be better for the sport of baseball overall.  The sport will suffer if NPB becomes nothing more than a far eastern minor league for MLB, and that's exactly the direction the MLB owners are heading with this decision to cap posting fees (the next logical step would be to just abolish the system all together and allow all NPB players to Nomo their way in).  There has always been a lot of talk that NPB is poorly run and doesn't reach it's true economic potential, and some Japanese baseball personalities have been hoping for a "black ships" moment in which an existential threat from MLB finally forces NPB to reform.  This could be that moment.
 
People said this 12 years ago when Ichiro wrapped up his first year in Seattle. I predict that they'll be saying it 12 years from now.
 

soxhop411

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I see the cubs and sea as teams who could give NYY a run for its money.
 

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I don't understand the media's fixation with a limited number of teams seriously interested in Tanaka.
 
I would project that nearly every team would be interested in spending substantial dollars on a long-term deal for this free agent - other than the obvious no-spenders and...the Yankees / Red Sox who can't accommodate him within the cap. I also might count out the Dodgers because they're stacked.
 
This guy would get serious offers from most of the teams in MLB, don't you think?
 

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geoduck no quahog said:
I don't understand the media's fixation with a limited number of teams seriously interested in Tanaka.
 
I would project that nearly every team would be interested in spending substantial dollars on a long-term deal for this free agent - other than the obvious no-spenders and...the Yankees / Red Sox who can't accommodate him within the cap. I also might count out the Dodgers because they're stacked.
 
This guy would get serious offers from most of the teams in MLB, don't you think?
I think the Astros are the real dark horse here.
 

soxhop411

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“@dylanohernandez: This is fun: Sports Jiji reporting that Rakuten will not let Tanaka go to the major leagues. http://t.co/pAsqMOxxAM”
 

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soxhop411 said:
“@dylanohernandez: This is fun: Sports Jiji reporting that Rakuten will not let Tanaka go to the major leagues. http://t.co/pAsqMOxxAM%E2
 
This is quickly entering Brett Favre territory of not giving a shit what happens as long as people quit talking about it.
 

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derekson said:
I think the Astros are the real dark horse here.
 
I think the Red Sox are.  With Dempster and Peavy in the last year of their deal, and Lackey only 2 years remaining, and the uncertainty of Buchholz shoulder and pitching prospects in general, it just makes sense.  It also rules out the Yankees competing in 2014, not that this is a primary consideration.
 
They could easily trade Dempster and Peavy to stay under 189.
 

jimbobim

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I would hope the Sox are the dark horse for all the reasons listed above by Sampo Gida. Plus they've been under the 189 for the last two years so while it's ideal its not a necessity to stay under the 189. Considering it's Christmas Eve and Christmas what GM/ Ownership steps away from the family to start negotiating first ? Just a funny thing to think about. Probably will read about it in the newspaper of wherever he signs. 
 

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Home> Sports
Tanaka's Team Says He Can Seek Career in MLB

TOKYO December 25, 2013 (AP)
By MARI YAMAGUCHI                          Associated Press
 

Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is set to move to the majors next season after his Japanese team Rakuten Eagles announced Wednesday it was prepared to let him leave, reversing its earlier rejection.
 
Rakuten Eagles president Yozo Tachibana told a news conference that the team has decided to release him through the posting system, paving the way for his departure. Tachibana said Tanaka's outstanding performance over the past seven years, including this season, meant he deserved to be allowed to move to the U.S.
Tanaka, a 25-year-old right-hander, went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA with the Eagles during the regular season and sought a move to the majors. But he has two years remaining on his contract and Rakuten was under no obligation to release him.
 
"I'm grateful to the team for allowing me to try. Now I've made a first step," he said. "I hope I would receive offers from as many teams as possible so I have a wider option."
 
The New York Yankees are considered the leading candidates to sign Tanaka, though the capping of the posting fee at $20 million meant many other teams could also afford to make offers.
 
The Eagles had rejected the new posting system but it was passed by a vote of Japan's professional teams. Following that decision, Rakuten had initially said they want to retain Tanaka, before Wednesday's change of heart.
 
Tachibana said the team took into consideration Tanaka's "outstanding contribution to the team" since he joined the Eagles seven years ago. Tanaka's perfect 24-0 record set a new mark in the history of Japanese professional baseball and brought a first league championship to the team based in Sendai, which is still recovering from the devastation wrought by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
 
For 30 days from the time a player is posted, any MLB team can attempt to sign the player. It pays the posting fee only if it signs the player. Under the new rules, a Japanese club may make players available between Nov. 1 and Feb. 1. A player who is not signed may not be posted again until the following Nov. 1.
 
Tachibana, the Rakuten president, said his team is happy to retain Tanaka if he does not reach an agreement with an MLB team.
 
The new posting system was negotiated after some MLB teams objected that only the richest clubs could afford to bid on top Japanese players.
 
Under the previous agreement, which began in 1998 and ran through last offseason, there was no cap on bidding and only the highest bidder could negotiate with the player.
 
Boston obtained pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka from the Seibu Lions before the 2007 season for $51,111,111.11, and agreed to a $52 million, six-year contract. Texas got pitcher Yu Darvish from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters before the 2012 season for $51,703,411 and gave him a $56 million, six-year deal.

 
 
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/tanakas-team-seek-career-mlb-21332090
 

StuckOnYouk

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 26, 2006
3,538
CT
Well lets see how honest the Yankees are about only spending 190. There's no way they can help themselves they're like druggies.
The sox and a ton of other teams have no reason not to plop down the 20 just to get involved