A bidding war is brewing between the longtime rival New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for the services of Japanese star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.
According to the New York Post, the two American League rivals are expected to aggressively pursue Tanaka after Rakuten Golden Eagles president Yozo Tachinaba told reporters on Wednesday he plans to post the right-handed hurler, thus making him available to all 30 MLB teams. The Cubs and Dodgers are also rumored to be interested.
"I'm grateful to the team for allowing me to try," Tanaka told The Post. "Now I've made a first step. I hope I would receive offers from as many teams as possible so I have a wider option."
Under a new system implemented this year, every team that meets the posting fee - capped at $20 million - will be able to negotiate with Tanaka. Overall, Tanaka is expected to attract an over that easily exceeds $100 million.
With Andy Pettitte retired and C.C. Sabathia coming off one of his most inconsistent seasons, Tananka would fill a huge need for the Yankees, whose rotation also includes Hiroki Kuroda and Ivan Nova. The team has already been plenty busy this offseason, signing veteran players Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann, Brian Roberts and Matt Thornton.
The 25-year-old Tanaka went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last season for the Golden Eagles.
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