The Official New York Yankees Thread

According to industry sources, the Yankees are going to be serious players in the Masahiro Tanaka bidding battle next month, hoping to fill crater-sized holes in their rotation with a Japanese pitcher who wowed scouts this year.

A person familiar with the Yankees’ offseason strategy said Tanaka is a priority in the wake of Andy Pettitte retiring, the uncertain future of Hiroki Kuroda and the physical question marks smothering Michael Pineda and Manuel Banuelos.

Not only would landing Tanaka improve the rotation, it would appease a wary fan base.

“The Yankees have seen him a lot,’’ said a talent evaluator who watched the 24-year-old right-hander pitch late last month for Japan’s Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. “Boston, Texas and the Dodgers will be there, too. This guy is very good.’’

The Yankees sent assistant general manager Billy Eppler and respected pro scout and former Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu to watch Tanaka pitch extensively this season.

General manager Brian Cashman refused comment Thursday when asked about the Yankees’ interest in Tanaka.
Tanaka, who went 22-0 with a 1.23 ERA in the regular season for the Pacific League champions, isn’t eligible for free agency, so he has to go through the posting process that can’t begin before Nov. 1 — which is Tanaka’s 25th birthday. If the Japanese series goes seven games, it will end Nov. 3.

Based on several executives’ opinions, the posting price to the Golden Eagles will be in the $60 million range. If the team accepts the bid, the winning team has to sign Tanaka to a contract. If they can’t reach a deal, Tanaka goes back to the Golden Eagles.

A big plus for the Yankees, whose goal is stay under $189 million next season, is the posting fee doesn’t count toward a team’s payroll. However, the contract does, and it could be five years for $60 million.

What is Tanaka worth?

Based on one scout’s opinion, more than Yu Darvish, who cost the Rangers $111.7 million. The Rangers bid $60 million then signed Darvish to a six-year deal worth $51.7 million.

“He is better than Darvish because he is a strike thrower,’’ the scout said. “Overall, Darvish’s stuff might be a little bit better, but this guy knows how to pitch. He is like Kuroda, he has a lot of guts. He throws four pitches but when it gets to [stone]-cutting time, it’s fastball and splitter.’’

Late in games this year Tanaka’s fastball reached 95 mph, and he features an overhand curveball that is 20 mph slower than the fastball.

Some evaluators believe Tanaka could be the best pitcher ever to come from Japan.

http://nypost.com/2013/10/10/yankees-ex ... e-pitcher/

Hopefully 3rd times the charm

Being Mariano a 90 min doc airs Sunday afternoon on Fox :corn:

http://youtu.be/XgLIX8-QbQY

Bronx Bombers wrote:

NEW YORK -- While all the talk to begin the offseason is about the New York Yankees' desire to cut the team's yearly payroll to $189 million, the front office is devising a plan that could have them going on a $300 million shopping spree, sources have told ESPNNewYork.com.

The Yankees will begin their organization meetings Monday where they will settle on a strategy that they believe can cut payroll to $189 million while spending big on free agents.

The Yankees' initial main targets are expected to include their own Robinson Cano, Japanese starter Masahiro Tanaka, Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran, according to sources.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?stor ... rc=desktop

I likey...didn't sign your boy though. Big commitment

I wants another precioussssss.

I think the Dodgers give him $300 million before he hits free agency. what is he, 25?

Looks like the posting system change is done basically if they bid 70 million and the next team bids 50 million the fee would be 60 million and the winning bidder retains sole negotiating rights. If dodgers get involved yankees are probably going to need to bid 75+ to land tanaka.