I have to give the Arizona Diamondbacks credit for making a run at Japan pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. After all, most wouldn’t give them a chance to outbid the Dodgers and Yankees, but money isn’t a reason for the organization to shy away from the right-hander.
Tanakas Japanese team announced Christmas night that they are prepared to let him leave for the United States.
Tanaka went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last season for the Rakuten Eagles,
So what will it take for the Diamondbacks to get in on the bidding war for Tanaka?
First, understand that the money won’t keep them out of the race.
The Japanese league has put a cap on the fee to post for Tanakas services at 20-million. So, the Diamondbacks have 30 days to try to get Tanaka. They pay the 20-million only if they do sign him. The Diamondbacks have reportedly been in on the Tanaka sweepstakes along with the a half dozen other teams.
Tanaka can return to Rakuten if no Major League Baseball team agrees to terms with him.
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Brad Cesmat
Media personality Brad Cesmat first rose to fame in Southern California with the launching of "The Mighty 690" all-sports radio station in the late 1980's and early 90's. Brad came to Arizona in 1993 to begin a 10-year run at KTAR Radio followed by nine years at KTVK-TV in Phoenix. Brad is the Founder/ CEO of Sports360AZ.com. His vision of multi platform content marketing through sports began in September of 2011. Cesmat has served on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army for the last 18 years. He and his wife Chris have four children.