The Chicago Cubs are expected to meet with Japanese right-handed pitcher Masahiro Tanaka this week in Chicago, per Luke Stuckmeyer of Comcast Sportsnet.
Tanaka will also meet with the White Sox while he’s in Chicago. No word on when the Cubs will throw money at Tanaka, according to Paul Sullivan.
Tanaka landed in Los Angeles today to meet with the Dodgers. Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said Tanaka is in the feeling out process.”
The Dodgers are just one of many teams Tanaka is making his rounds.
The New York Yankees made a call to Tanaka’s representatives before the holidays. But there’s no word on whether the Yankees have had a face-to-face sit down with Tanaka and agent Casey Close.
One team that will not be in the Tanaka sweepstakes is the Atlanta Braves. The Braves’ John Schuerholtz said the team did their “due diligence” on Tanaka, but will not pursue him.
Tanaka reportedly could get 17-20 million per year and a contract over 100 million, plus the 20 million posting fee.
More news on the posting fee, per Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com: The winning team on Tanaka will have to pay his team, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 13 million the first year and 7 million the second year.
From the looks of it, there will not be an early decision on where Tanaka will land. Tanaka and his agent, Casey Close are expected to take the process out until the Jaunuary 24th deadline.
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