Some of the top free agents in Major League Baseball have already found new homes during the offseason but as Spring Training for the 2014 MLB season approaches, multiple players remain on the open market and in most cases, it is just a matter of time before these big name players sign with their new ball clubs. Free agent targets in Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Grant Balfour, Curtis Granderson and Robinson Canó have already signed with new teams while other notable available assets in Mark Reynolds, Matt Garza, Ervin Santana and Johan Santana remain open for signing.
Former New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Canó was viewed as the biggest free agent target, with many folks across the league believing the 31-year-old would return to the Bronx. After the Yankees signed Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury to significant contracts however, Canó elected to take the 10-year, $240 million deal the Seattle Mariners were offering, sending him from one coast to the other. While New York may have let their former second baseman depart, this off season's biggest pitching target could wind up in Pinstripes, helping the Bronx Bombers feel a bit better about the loss of No. 24.
According to ESPN, Nippon Professional Baseball star Masahiro Tanaka, a 25-year-old right handed pitching phenom, wants to play in the MLB in 2014. Though Tanaka - who posted a 24-0 record with a 1.27 ERA last season for Japan's Rakuten Golden Eagles - wants to pitch in the majors, it is unknown whether or not his current club will post him for MLB offers. Under the new posting system between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, the fee for players is now capped at $20 million, and Rakuten may feel a bit gun-shy to post Tanaka since this price is much lower than in years prior.
Masahiro's current team and league would like him to remain in Japan, with team President Yozo Tachibana telling reporters recently that he is 'very important to us and we'd like him to stay.'
In addition to drawing interest from the New York Yankees, CBS Sports indicates that the Texas Rangers - who signed former Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish to a six-year, $60 million deal in 2012 after winning the bidding for a monster fee of $51.7 million - are said to be another team highly interested in the young star. The Anaheim Angels may also be willing to pay the fee in the hopes of coming to terms with the ace.
The Golden Eagles will have until February 1 to post Tanaka and they can set a max fee of $20 million.
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