Max $20M bid. Any team who makes that bid can negotiate with Tanaka. Tanaka to pick team.

Cubs could have a chance.

That Japan thing is so stupid.

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Elections have consequences.

So if every team bids $20M the player is free to pick the best offer. Get your checkbook out.

Fanboy better step to the plate and get this guy signed.

Tatanka!

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

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According to a Sponichi report, the Rakuten Golden Eagles are trying to convince highly-coveted right-hander Masahiro Tanaka to stay in Japan for one more season.

Post him or don't post him but for the love of christ do something. This soap opera is getting annoying.

Japanese free agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka wants to play in Major League Baseball next season. "I informed my team that I would like them to allow me to test my abilities in Major League Baseball next season."

Well that should do it as his team probably won't hold him back from his desire to pitch in the Bigs. With the new posting system in place the signing process will be another soap opera as there will be a number of teams including several big market teams in on the bidding.

I watched some video of him and he's got some goofy ass shit but he's a wrapper. Me no likey wrappers.

has it been explained why the japanese teams agreed to cap the posting at $20M? wasn't dice-k a $50M posting or somewhere around there? Why would they agree to a cap in posting fees? Or was this MLB telling teams that $20M is the max? confused

(I feel slightly less alone)

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

MLB said they want more money going to the player which makes sense. What I don't understand is this is only a three year agreement. If they were that adamant about it they should make it a permanent deal with a clause for periodic increases.

Let's say 10 teams bid $20M. One team signs him. Who gets that $200M?

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Nobody.

I think only the team that gets him pays the $20MM.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Exactly. The $20M post is "refundable" if the team does not sign him so there really is no reason for any team not to submit a $20M bid even if it's just to get in the game and drive his price up. This could get real ugly.

How is it going to get any more ugly than any regular free agent?

It's a small world after all

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

There is already talk about under the table deals, creative ways to get around the $20M posting limit and Tanaka giving a percentage of his contract back to his team. Throw in the fact that big market teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Rangers, Angels, Cubs, Phillies and Mariners will be heavily involved and this has circus written all over it.

I still do not get this Japan system. Do the teams own the players forever or something?

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Elections have consequences.

From what I can tell, it sounds like NPB still has the reserve clause, yes.

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Not forever, but a looong time. Sox signed oldsters like Shingo Takatsu and that little 2B guy without paying anything.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

GOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG

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Take that 20 million and go get 3 FA SP that can add depth to a rotation. Scott Baker deserves another look.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

The $20M only gets you in the game. It will take another $100M to win.

Yeah,I know. The Cubs are supposed to be hurting for cash,so invest that 20 mil into something real.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Easier to get guys out of Castro's Cuba than Japan. What, the Japanese government won't let dude leave the country without settling up with his old club? Screw that. Sneak the guy out in a whaling ship and be done with it.

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With the Choo signing I would think the Rangers will be out

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Of course I am a dummy Sox fan but I do not see why the Cubs dump all that cash on this guy right now. Unless it is simply an appease the restless move.

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Elections have consequences.