Yankees Sign Masahiro Tanaka

[KingCubsFan]

@Ken_Rosenthal Sources: #Cubs pushing hard for Tanaka. Angels remain involved,along with others previously mentioned-Yankees,Dodgers, etc

It's going to suck when we finish "second" to the Yankees.

 

Is this like a defense mechanism? Why is that fun?

I just don't get my hopes up for a free agent coming to Chicago in any sport. Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

[jersey cubs fan]

Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

 

What?

[jersey cubs fan]

Just because the Bulls can't recruit a free agent doesn't mean the Cubs/Bears/Blackhawks can't do it.

[KingCubsFan]

Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

 

What?

If given a choice to move to a place like LA or New York, athletes will rarely choose Chicago. It's why I think it's hilarious that the Bulls are actually trying to clear cap space to lure big time free agents again. It won't work. The last time a Chicago team was able to lure a big time free agent (Soriano), we had to blow every other team out of the water in terms of dollars and years. Peppers could be considered a major free agent, but I have no idea what his market was like.

[UMFan83]

Ty Youngfelt @TyYoungfelt

Better part ofa month I've heard nothing but neg on Tanaka 2 Cubs...Until today. Not sure it will matter but Cubs have highest bid currently

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The current set of rumors match two possibilities:

 

1) Tanaka isn't interested in the Cubs and is using them to try to prop up the leverage.

 

2) Tanaka knows that the Cubs have the best offer, but is trying to use his last week to drum up some interest from the Yankees (who may have decided to stay under the luxury tax now that A-Rod's situation makes that realistic) or the Dodgers (who may be waiting for other opportunities later or just have finally reached their limit).

[apete6]

Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

 

What?

If given a choice to move to a place like LA or New York, athletes will rarely choose Chicago. It's why I think it's hilarious that the Bulls are actually trying to clear cap space to lure big time free agents again. It won't work. The last time a Chicago team was able to lure a big time free agent (Soriano), we had to blow every other team out of the water in terms of dollars and years. Peppers could be considered a major free agent, but I have no idea what his market was like.

 

Marian Hossa

Julius Peppers

Alfonso Soriano

Albert Belle

Andre Dawson

Moises Alou

Adam Dunn

George Bell

Nikolai Khabibulin

 

Not to mention all of the guys who have signed extensions: Sosa, Konerko, Buehrle, Jordan, Pippen, Rose, Deng, Wood, Lee, Ramirez, Zambrano, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Seabrook, Keith, Cutler, Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman

 

All of those players signed with Chicago teams in the past 25 years. Probably pretty comparable to most big cities.

[jersey cubs fan]

Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

 

What?

If given a choice to move to a place like LA or New York, athletes will rarely choose Chicago. It's why I think it's hilarious that the Bulls are actually trying to clear cap space to lure big time free agents again. It won't work. The last time a Chicago team was able to lure a big time free agent (Soriano), we had to blow every other team out of the water in terms of dollars and years. Peppers could be considered a major free agent, but I have no idea what his market was like.

 

Peppers wasn't just considered a major free agent, he was one. Muhsin Muhammed was also a major free agent. The Bears have signed several big money free agents over the years, and when the Cubs try to they also do the same. Brian Campbell was the biggest free agent prize the year he moved, and came to Chicago, same with Hossa.

 

Everybody says players will always choose LA or NY over Chicago, except for when they don't.

 

As to the Soriano comment, is this opposed to how LA and NY lowball guys and get them for discounts because players just want to play for them so badly?

[UMFan83]

Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

 

What?

If given a choice to move to a place like LA or New York, athletes will rarely choose Chicago. It's why I think it's hilarious that the Bulls are actually trying to clear cap space to lure big time free agents again. It won't work. The last time a Chicago team was able to lure a big time free agent (Soriano), we had to blow every other team out of the water in terms of dollars and years. Peppers could be considered a major free agent, but I have no idea what his market was like.

 

I disagree. Players frequently come to Chicago in baseball, football and hockey. Basketball is much more superstar oriented and is also a winter sport, and because of that stars want to play in glamorous locations like LA, Florida, New York.

 

I'm trying to even think of major FAs that the Cubs and Sox have aggressively went after. Albert Belle?

[Tracer Bullet]

Man it's easy to get you to spill the beans, it really is. Well either you desperately want to spill the beans, or this is a clever diversion tactic. I don't know you well enough to know which it is. I still want it to be a huge TV deal. Eh I'll admit I don't care what it is, I just want the Cubs to have a lot of money and be like "SURPRISE! We have tons of money, and we want to welcome Masahiro Tanaka to the Chicago Cubs!"

 

Just drink the iocane powder already.

http://thetorchonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/iocane-powder.jpg

 

haha

[davell]

If you're the Yankees, how much difference is there from Tanaka, down to Jimenez or Garza? Is he truly going to be worth more than DOUBLE what you'd have to give them or around the same for both? With a team of their age-range, each year is going for it. I think they'd actually be better off by signing those 2 than Tanaka. Less years, probably adds wins to the team, doubt it'd cost much more towards the luxury tax.

[Sammy Sofa]

Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

 

What?

If given a choice to move to a place like LA or New York, athletes will rarely choose Chicago. It's why I think it's hilarious that the Bulls are actually trying to clear cap space to lure big time free agents again. It won't work.

 

Based on what? It's like this perception is completely based around The Decision and Dwight Howard.

[KingCubsFan]

Chicago just isn't that attractive of a place for outsiders.

 

What?

If given a choice to move to a place like LA or New York, athletes will rarely choose Chicago. It's why I think it's hilarious that the Bulls are actually trying to clear cap space to lure big time free agents again. It won't work.

 

Based on what? It's like this perception is completely based around The Decision and Dwight Howard.

You must have forgotten Ron Mercer.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

If you're the Yankees, how much difference is there from Tanaka, down to Jimenez or Garza? Is he truly going to be worth more than DOUBLE what you'd have to give them or around the same for both? With a team of their age-range, each year is going for it. I think they'd actually be better off by signing those 2 than Tanaka. Less years, probably adds wins to the team, doubt it'd cost much more towards the luxury tax.

 

It's a great question that could be asked toward the Cubs, too. Based on the age of Jimenez and Garza, would they rather have those two than Tanaka? (Cubs would have give up a second for Jimenez, of course).

[SouthSideRyan]

I have no idea how to even begin to guess what kind of contracts Garza and Jimenez will get, but I'd imagine they wind up a decent amount more AAV than Tanaka(including posting fee) In terms of value, I also think it's a case of 2+2=3

[Guest]

The Jason Smith Show ‏@JasonSmithShow 7m

Are the Dodgers in running for #Tanaka? "They still need another pitcher and they'd love it to be Tanaka if the money is right." -@jonmorosi

 

I really like that qualifier at the end.

[ScrubMD]

Rumor has it that the Padres are really interested in Tanaka, if the price is right.

 

I think I just found my new career.

[Guest]

A little (unsurprising) tidbit here:

 

The Cubs have made little secret of their interest in Tanaka, and they are intensifying their interest, according to a tweet by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

 

The Cubs still face stiff competition from the pitching-thirsty New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, who agreed to terms with left-hander Clayton Kershaw on a staggering seven-year, $215 million contract.

 

A team source believes the Boston Red Sox also were lurking, but Tanaka, 25, fits the profile that Cubs President Theo Epstein seeks as a free agent entering the prime of his career.

 

An international scout whose team isn't involved in the Tanaka sweepstakes said the Cubs did a thorough job of scouting Tanaka, who was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA for the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League.

 

While the Cubs can sell Tanaka on the benefits of being the anchor of a staff with a deep reservoir of prospects, they face an ominous task in competing with the traditionally competitive Yankees and Dodgers.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-chicago-cubs-masahiro-tanaka-free-agent-20140116,0,6100176.story

[Guest]

we're going to get him, everyone get the gifs ready

[jersey cubs fan]

traditionally competitive Dodgers?

[mul21]

I have no idea how to even begin to guess what kind of contracts Garza and Jimenez will get, but I'd imagine they wind up a decent amount more AAV than Tanaka(including posting fee) In terms of value, I also think it's a case of 2+2=3

 

I have no idea what you're trying to say here. What is the 2+2=3 thing?

 

Are you really expecting those guys to get like $20MM a year? There's no way Tanaka gets less than maybe $18MM if you include the posting fee with all the competition for him.

[jersey cubs fan]

I have no idea how to even begin to guess what kind of contracts Garza and Jimenez will get, but I'd imagine they wind up a decent amount more AAV than Tanaka(including posting fee) In terms of value, I also think it's a case of 2+2=3

 

I have no idea what you're trying to say here. What is the 2+2=3 thing?

 

Are you really expecting those guys to get like $20MM a year? There's no way Tanaka gets less than maybe $18MM if you include the posting fee with all the competition for him.

 

The point is combined they will be well above Tanaka individually, so you can't really replace Tanaka with the two of them. Davell asked if Tanaka would be worth more than those two combined.

[Guest]

I have no idea how to even begin to guess what kind of contracts Garza and Jimenez will get, but I'd imagine they wind up a decent amount more AAV than Tanaka(including posting fee) In terms of value, I also think it's a case of 2+2=3

 

It's hard for me to get a great handle on how that would compare since I'm pretty uncertain about Tanaka's final value, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was only a small amount(4-6 million) more than Tanaka given the late date and draft compensation. More than that though, I don't think it's 2+2=3 considering the Yankees currently have David Phelps and Michael Pineda set to start 40% of their games, with even worse options as injury fill-ins.

[davell]

I've seen a couple of times that Garza's meds are scaring off some teams. If things go according to reports I've seen, Tanaka will see 140 mill, plus the fee. No clue if its over 6 years, 7, or whatever. Ubaldo is currently asking for 4/56, the last I saw. With few teams interested in Garza, the only number I've seen anywhere was 3/39.

[SouthSideRyan]

I have no idea how to even begin to guess what kind of contracts Garza and Jimenez will get, but I'd imagine they wind up a decent amount more AAV than Tanaka(including posting fee) In terms of value, I also think it's a case of 2+2=3

 

It's hard for me to get a great handle on how that would compare since I'm pretty uncertain about Tanaka's final value, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was only a small amount(4-6 million) more than Tanaka given the late date and draft compensation. More than that though, I don't think it's 2+2=3 considering the Yankees currently have David Phelps and Michael Pineda set to start 40% of their games, with even worse options as injury fill-ins.

 

I was talking about the Cubs with regards to 2+2=3. I think Garza and Jimenez are still out there because everyone's waiting on Tanaka, we could see a mini-bidding war over them once Tanaka's situation gets resolved.