Editorials

NPB, MLB Posting Agreement Delayed Leaving Masahiro Tanaka In Limbo

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been quiet through a day plus of free agency, but they could be waiting for the first domino to fall, Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.

Tanaka would arguably be the best pitcher on the market, but MLB and the NPB have yet to reach agreement on a new posting system. However, according to Gen from Yakyubaka.com, both sides are close to finalizing the posting agreement:



The NPB and MLB are close to finalizing a new posting system agreement.  There were reports about the two sides making a joint announcement about the new agreement some time after the Nippon Series.But on November 1, the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association (JPBPA) submitted their opinion in writing to the NPB and claimed that the new changes made little sense for the players and NPB teams.

The NPB cannot sign the new agreement until the twelve NPB teams and JPBPA have given their approval.

Thus, Tanaka’s posing remains in limbo as the Dodgers, Rangers, Cubs, Angels and Yankees are all teams that have admitted to scouting the 25-year-old recently.

It was thought that Tanaka would be posted on November 1, but with the Asia Series, Eagles Fan Appreciation Day and parade all taking place before November 24, negotiations will likely start in late November and early December.

Tanaka went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA during the regular season, but suffered his first defeat in Game 6 of the Japan Series. However, after throwing 160 pitches in Game 6, the right-hander was brought on for the save in Game 7, worrying scouts about his arm after 175 pitches over the weekend.

Whenever the new posting system is put in place major league teams will come calling as Tanaka is sure to get more than the $51.7 million posting fee Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish got back in 2011.

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Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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