Masahiro Tanaka has officially arrived to begin his meeting with interested MLB teams. The Japanese right-hander has created a bidding war between teams interested in adding another starting pitcher to their lineup. The potential star has a deadline of Jan. 24 and the New York Yankees plan on making a big push for him.
Tanaka has already met with both the Chicago White Sox and Cubs upon arrival into the states. White Sox vice president Kenny Williams called the meeting "exploratory" noting that he was simply trying to decide if Tanaka fit the team's vision. Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti echoed those beliefs saying Tanaka is trying to educate himself what it would be like to play baseball in every city.
The Dodgers are among the teams trying to land the right-hander. Colletti is close friends with Tanaka's agent, Casey Close. That could help Los Angeles as Clayton Kershaw is expected to become a free agent at the end of next season.
The New York Yankees have made Tanaka their top priority and have schedule their sit down with the Japanese pitcher. The team is looking for a young starter to pair with CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. Ivan Nova will get the No. 3 spot in the rotation while the four and five spots are up for grabs.
MLB sources tell Newsday.com that the Yankees are willing to move off their desired $189 million luxury-tax threshold if it means they can sign Tanaka. The team is will to spend whatever if it means getting another championship sooner rather than later. They will certainly have to spend for Tanaka.
On top of his $20 million posting fee, the pitcher could command a deal upwards of six years and $100 million. Last season with the Rakuten Golden Eagles, he went 24-0 as a starter with a 1.27 ERA. Many consider him to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher for any team.
Right now, the Seattle Mariners are considered the frontrunners to land Tanaka. The team is fresh off signing Robinson Cano to a historic contract. The team has said they have one more move up their sleeve and Tanaka is the top option.
If the Yankees fail to land Tanaka, they could be interested in signing Johan Santana. The Newark Star-Ledger reports the Yankees are monitoring Santana as several teams are interested in the two-time Cy Young winner as he is currently rehabbing his second anterior capsule surgery. The veteran does not meet the "young pitcher" the Yankees would like, but could be a solid fallback option if Santana can get healthy.