The MLB Hot Stove is heating up and the first rumors rising with the steam are concerning Masahiro Tanaka and his preferred destinations, which include the Dodgers and Angels
Masahiro Tanaka has weeded down his choices to three teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.
The deadline of the January 24th is approaching fast, and Tanaka could make a decision within the next week. After the Dodgers had openly stated that they would outbid any team for Tanaka (according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today), the rumors have spread like a wildfire.
The real debate for Tanaka would now be if it would be better to pitch in the American League or the National League. Yu Darvish fit in nicely in his first season with the Texas Rangers, going 16-9 and only giving up 14 home runs with 221 strikeouts. His ERA went from 3.90 to 2.83 in his second year but the Rangers failed to make the postseason, narrowly losing the division to the rival Oakland A’s in dramatic fashion over the last two weeks of the season.
The Dodgers are very interested in Tanaka and have been outspoken of their aggressiveness to obtain him but talks with Clayton Kershaw’s extension could complicate their plans. Tanaka could be looking at a bidding war between LA’s two teams with a $100 million payout. Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun has indicated what Tanaka’s expectations would be in choosing a team outside of money. In his latest article he states:
“Tanaka wants to go to a World Series, wants a city where his family will feel at home since they don’t speak English. He has a desire to be on a team with potential to win and loves the pressure.”
With that being said, the Dodgers could have an advantage of location and resources for Tanaka’s family, but the Angels are looking to bounce back and have a huge upside of potential with winning next season. They also have a bigger need with pitching and could protect Tanaka with an offensive surge from Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, and a healthy Albert Pujols.
Likely Tanaka is picking between the two LA teams. With all the negative attention given to the Yankees and the Alex Rodriguez suspension, Tanaka and his agent would we wary of coming into that situation. He would want to be on a team that would give him the most focus and fame. Both LA teams notoriously brand their star acquisitions with billboards all over the city. Angels owner Artie Moreno’s ability to infiltrate the LA area with Pujols billboards could prove worthwhile to Tanaka, who wants the attention.
Tanaka’s choice could make or break the Angels who are looking to give Trout a massive contract in the next year or so. This would put them over the luxury tax that is inevitable in the coming years anyways. Don’t count out Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto and Moreno, who both have shocked the baseball world the past two offseason by obtaining Pujols, C.J. Wilson, and Hamilton. The result of Tanaka’s choice might shake up the MLB just as much.
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