Tanaka bidding has begun; will end Jan 24th

Masahiro Tanaka

Earlier in the off season the frenzy for Tanaka's services was put to a hold when the Rakuten Golden Eagles announced the righty would not be posted. Then came Christmas Eve into Christmas when the team announced the pitcher would be posted. 

Masahiro Tanaka in 2013 had a outstanding season putting up numbers no one had ever seen in Japan. Tanaka went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA. Tanaka still has 2 years left on his contract with the Golden Eagles. 

For teams that are willing to make a bid for the outstanding pitcher: they will have to pay a fee of $20 million for the posting fee. The top dogs for Tanaka's services seem to be some of the more money free teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Seattle Mariners could also be in the mix to add Masahiro. The bidding will end January 24th. 

Diasuke Matsuzaka

It is seen a risky thing to get a pitcher straight out of Japan at such a high price because there has been a few huge "gets" and a few big "busts". 

Yu Darvish

The Boston Red Sox gave a gasping $51,111,111.11 to the Seibu Lions for Daisuke Matsuzaka and then to give him a six-year contract at $52 million dollars. "Dice-K" finished his contract with the Red Sox with a disappointing record of 17-22 with a 5.53 ERA in his final 4 years for the Sox. Dice-K's best season in Boston came in 2008 when he finished with an 18-3 record posting a 2.90 ERA and gathering 154 strikeouts in 167 2/3 innings pitched. Matsuzaka finshed fourth in the CY-Young voting that season. His Red Sox career pretty much came to an end when he had Tommy John surgery in 2011. After the 11' season Dice-K started 11 more games for Boston going 1-7 with a 8.28 ERA. 

When the Texas Rangers inked Yu Darvish from the Hokkaido Nippon Fighters before the 2012 season they didn't know how good this kid was going to be. They gave up $51,703,411 to get him and gave the pitcher a six-year contract for $56 million dollars.  Darvish through his first 2 seasons in Texas is currently 29-18 with a 3.34 ERA while racking up 498 strikeouts. Darvish a 2-time All-Star(2012,2013) and a AL-Strikeout Champion(2013) looks like he is on his way to a very good MLB career.