Japanese free-agent hurler Masahiro Tanaka will engage in talks with the Cubs and White Sox this week, with the meetings likely to take place in Chicago, according to CSN Chicago's Luke Stuckmeyer.
Masahiro Tanaka to meet with Cubs, White Sox this week
Both of the Windy City’s ball clubs will compete for the services of the top free-agent pitcher.
Word of the meetings lends credibility to the assertion that the Cubs “will not be outbid on Tanaka,” as Stuckmeyer’s CSN Chicago colleague, David Kaplan, tweeted two weeks ago. It appears that the White Sox are interested in trying, and any number of other teams will at least have the opportunity to do so, especially due to the split payment system that is being introduced in the new posting system, per Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
The team that ultimately wins the sweepstakes would be on the hook for, in addition to Tanaka’s salary, $13 million of the $20 million posting fee in the first year, with the remaining $7 million due in year two.
The Oakland Athletics recently emerged as serious players for Tanaka, while the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers, among others, are also expected to be involved in the bidding.
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