Posting period for Masahiro Tanaka begins

The bidding for Japanese star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has begun.

All 30 major league teams were notified that the 30-day period to sign the star 25-year-old right-hander began at 8 a.m. ET Thursday, according to MLB spokesman Michael Teevan. Clubs have until 5 p.m. on Jan. 24 to attempt to reach an agreement with the ace.

If Tanaka and a major league team come to terms, that franchise is required to pay his Japanese club, the Rakuten Eagles, a posting fee, now capped at $20 million US under a deal reached two weeks ago between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball. Under the old, no-limit system, the Texas Rangers paid over $50 million for the right to negotiate with Yu Darvish before the 2012 season.

Tanaka will be represented by Excel Sports Management during the process. Other Excel Sports clients include Dodgers two-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Rakuten rejected the new posting system but was outvoted in balloting by Japan's 12 teams. The Japan Series champion then said it was going to retain Tanaka, whose rights it holds for two more seasons.

Eagles President Yozo Tachibana, however, changed course Wednesday, saying that Tanaka deserved a chance to play in the majors. Tachibana cited Tanaka's 24-0 regular-season record with a 1.27 ERA and his "outstanding contribution to the team" over seven seasons as reasons for choosing to post the player.

A day after throwing a complete game in a Game 6 loss in the Japan Series, Tanaka saved the clincher, bringing the first league championship to the team based in Sendai, which is still recovering from the devastation wrought by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Several major league teams argued that under the system established in 1998, only the richest franchises could afford to bid on the right to sign star Japanese players still under club control. The new system levels the process — and also means the player could get a contract around $100 million.

The New York Yankees are among several teams in need of top-line starting pitching.

Under the rules of the three-year agreement, starting with the day after a player is posted and continuing for 30 days, any team willing to pay the fee may attempt to sign the player. A club pays the posting fee only if it signs the player, and the fee is then submitted in installments, with the timing dependent on the amount.

A player who is not signed may not be posted again until the following Nov. 1.

During the previous agreement, Boston obtained Daisake Matsuzaka from the Seibu Lions before the 2007 season for $51,111,111.11 and agreed to a $52 million, six-year contract. Texas got Darvish from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters before the 2012 season for $51,703,411 and gave him a $56 million, six-year deal. Darvish finished second in this year's AL Cy Young Award voting.

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Shin-Soo Choo passes physical with Rangers: report

Shin-Soo Choo passed his physical with the Texas Rangers, clearing the way for the completion of the outfielder's $130 million, seven-year deal.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday night that Choo passed his physical and would be formally introduced in Texas on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement from the team.

The Rangers scheduled a press conference Friday afternoon. The said only that it was to "announce a major free agent signing" and provided no other details.

Choo's deal, worth about $18.6 million per season, is the third-highest this off-season. The deal was agreed upon last weekend, but was pending the completion of the physical.

Second baseman Robinson Cano got $240 million US over 10 years from Seattle and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, like Choo, a client of agent Scott Boras, signed a $153 million US, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Choo started 150 games in centre field and had a .423 on-base percentage last season for Cincinnati in his only year with the Reds. He hit .285 with 21 homers and 20 stolen bases and scored 107 runs as their primary leadoff hitter.

The Rangers will likely use Choo in left field because they have Leonys Martin in centre and Alex Rios in right. And Choo could be their leadoff hitter.

The deal comes a month after the Rangers acquired five-time All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder in a trade with Detroit for second baseman Ian Kinsler, their primary leadoff hitter last season.

Both Fielder and Choo will be under contract through the 2020 season.

The Rangers, who won their only AL pennants in 2010 and 2011, missed the playoffs for the first time in four years. Texas scored only 730 runs, its fewest in a non-strike season since 1992.

Choo's deal calls for salaries of $14 million US in 2014 and 2015, $21 million in 2016 and 2017, and $20 million in each of the last three years of the deal. There are also performance bonuses and a limited no-trade clause.

Choo has a .288 career batting average and .389 OBP with 104 home runs and 427 RBIs in 853 major league games for Seattle (2005-06), Cleveland (2006-12) and Cincinnati. The 31-year-old South Korean had at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases three times, including last season.

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Munenori Kawasaki back with Blue Jays on minor league deal

Fan favourite batted .229 with 24 RBIs in 2013

By Michael Shulman, CBC Sports Posted: Dec 24, 2013 1:56 PM ET Last Updated: Dec 24, 2013 7:22 PM ET

When the Toronto Blue Jays declined its $1 million US option on fan favourite Munenori Kawasaki in November, it appeared as though the infielder had given his final bow with the team.

But Tuesday, the Jays announced that the team has signed the Japanese native to a one-year minor league contract with an invitation to attend spring training.  

The 32-year-old served as the team's everyday shortstop after Jose Reyes severely sprained his ankle in April and spent two-and-a-half months on the disabled list.

Kawasaki was featured frequently on highlight reels last season because of his infectious energy, eccentric quotes, dance moves and trademark bows to the crowd after curtain calls. 

In 96 games the left-handed batter hit .229 with a .326 on-base percentage, collecting one home run and 24 runs batted in. 

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Rakuten allows Tanaka to pursue MLB career

Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is set to move to the majors next season after his Japanese team Rakuten Eagles announced Wednesday it was prepared to let him leave, reversing its earlier rejection.

Rakuten Eagles president Yozo Tachibana told a news conference that the team has decided to release him through the posting system, paving the way for his departure. Tachibana said Tanaka's outstanding performance over the past seven years, including this season, meant he deserved to be allowed to move to the U.S.

Tanaka, a 25-year-old right-hander, went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA with the Eagles during the regular season and sought a move to the majors. But he has two years remaining on his contract and Rakuten was under no obligation to release him.

"I'm grateful to the team for allowing me to try. Now I've made a first step," he said. "I hope I would receive offers from as many teams as possible so I have a wider option."

The New York Yankees are considered the leading candidates to sign Tanaka, though the capping of the posting fee at $20 million meant many other teams could also afford to make offers.

The Eagles had rejected the new posting system but it was passed by a vote of Japan's professional teams. Following that decision, Rakuten had initially said they want to retain Tanaka, before Wednesday's change of heart.

Tachibana said the team took into consideration Tanaka's "outstanding contribution to the team" since he joined the Eagles seven years ago. Tanaka's perfect 24-0 record set a new mark in the history of Japanese professional baseball and brought a first league championship to the team based in Sendai, which is still recovering from the devastation wrought by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

For 30 days from the time a player is posted, any MLB team can attempt to sign the player. It pays the posting fee only if it signs the player. Under the new rules, a Japanese club may make players available between Nov. 1 and Feb. 1. A player who is not signed may not be posted again until the following Nov. 1.

Tachibana, the Rakuten president, said his team is happy to retain Tanaka if he does not reach an agreement with an MLB team.

The new posting system was negotiated after some MLB teams objected that only the richest clubs could afford to bid on top Japanese players.

Under the previous agreement, which began in 1998 and ran through last off-season, there was no cap on bidding and only the highest bidder could negotiate with the player.

Boston obtained pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka from the Seibu Lions before the 2007 season for $51,111,111.11, and agreed to a $52 million, six-year contract. Texas got pitcher Yu Darvish from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters before the 2012 season for $51,703,411 and gave him a $56 million, six-year deal.

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Rakuten allows Tanaka to pursue MLB career

Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is set to move to the majors next season after his Japanese team Rakuten Eagles announced Wednesday it was prepared to let him leave, reversing its earlier rejection.

Rakuten Eagles president Yozo Tachibana told a news conference that the team has decided to release him through the posting system, paving the way for his departure. Tachibana said Tanaka's outstanding performance over the past seven years, including this season, meant he deserved to be allowed to move to the U.S.

Tanaka, a 25-year-old right-hander, went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA with the Eagles during the regular season and sought a move to the majors. But he has two years remaining on his contract and Rakuten was under no obligation to release him.

"I'm grateful to the team for allowing me to try. Now I've made a first step," he said. "I hope I would receive offers from as many teams as possible so I have a wider option."

The New York Yankees are considered the leading candidates to sign Tanaka, though the capping of the posting fee at $20 million meant many other teams could also afford to make offers.

The Eagles had rejected the new posting system but it was passed by a vote of Japan's professional teams. Following that decision, Rakuten had initially said they want to retain Tanaka, before Wednesday's change of heart.

Tachibana said the team took into consideration Tanaka's "outstanding contribution to the team" since he joined the Eagles seven years ago. Tanaka's perfect 24-0 record set a new mark in the history of Japanese professional baseball and brought a first league championship to the team based in Sendai, which is still recovering from the devastation wrought by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

For 30 days from the time a player is posted, any MLB team can attempt to sign the player. It pays the posting fee only if it signs the player. Under the new rules, a Japanese club may make players available between Nov. 1 and Feb. 1. A player who is not signed may not be posted again until the following Nov. 1.

Tachibana, the Rakuten president, said his team is happy to retain Tanaka if he does not reach an agreement with an MLB team.

The new posting system was negotiated after some MLB teams objected that only the richest clubs could afford to bid on top Japanese players.

Under the previous agreement, which began in 1998 and ran through last off-season, there was no cap on bidding and only the highest bidder could negotiate with the player.

Boston obtained pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka from the Seibu Lions before the 2007 season for $51,111,111.11, and agreed to a $52 million, six-year contract. Texas got pitcher Yu Darvish from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters before the 2012 season for $51,703,411 and gave him a $56 million, six-year deal.

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Munenori Kawasaki back with Blue Jays on minor league deal

Fan favourite batted .229 with 24 RBIs in 2013

By Michael Shulman, CBC Sports Posted: Dec 24, 2013 1:56 PM ET Last Updated: Dec 24, 2013 7:22 PM ET

When the Toronto Blue Jays declined its $1 million US option on fan favourite Munenori Kawasaki in November, it appeared as though the infielder had given his final bow with the team.

But Tuesday, the Jays announced that the team has signed the Japanese native to a one-year minor league contract with an invitation to attend spring training.  

The 32-year-old served as the team's everyday shortstop after Jose Reyes severely sprained his ankle in April and spent two-and-a-half months on the disabled list.

Kawasaki was featured frequently on highlight reels last season because of his infectious energy, eccentric quotes, dance moves and trademark bows to the crowd after curtain calls. 

In 96 games the left-handed batter hit .229 with a .326 on-base percentage, collecting one home run and 24 runs batted in. 

Comments on this story are pre-moderated. Before they appear comments are reviewed by moderators to ensure they meet our submission guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Submission Policy

Note: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are moderated and published according to our submission guidelines.

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Shin-Soo Choo agrees to 7-year deal with Rangers: report

The Rangers have made another Texas-sized deal to improve their offence.

Free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo agreed to a $130 million US, seven-year contract with the Rangers, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement about the deal that is pending a physical for Choo. That person said the physical is expected to be done before Christmas, and that any formal introduction in Texas likely wouldn't come until after the holiday Wednesday.

The deal came a month after the Rangers acquired five-time All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder in a trade with Detroit for second baseman Ian Kinsler, their primary leadoff hitter.

Texas now gets the best offensive player left in free agency, with both additions to be under contract through the 2020 season.

Choo's deal, worth about $18.6 million per season, is the third-highest this off-season. Second baseman Robinson Cano got $240 million over 10 years from Seattle and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, like Choo, a client of agent Scott Boras, signed a $153 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Choo could be at the top or in the middle of the Texas lineup. He was Cincinnati's leadoff hitter for 143 games last season, when he had a .423 on-base percentage with 20 stolen bases and 21 home runs.

The Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, with 730 runs scored their fewest in a non-strike season since 1992. Texas, which went to its only two World Series in 2010 and 2011 and lost in the AL's first wildcard game in 2012, lost at home to Tampa Bay in a wild-card tiebreaker.

Choo's deal calls for salaries of $14 million in 2014 and 2015, $21 million in 2016 and 2017, and $20 million in each of the last three years of the deal. He can earn a bonus for finishing in the top five of the AL MVP balloting — from $250,000 as the winner to $50,000 for fifth place. He would get a $150,000 bonus for being a World Series MVP, and an additional $100,000 for being an AL championship series MVP or an All-Star, or for winning a Silver Slugger or Gold Glove award.

There will also be a limited no-trade clause, with Choo able each year to submit a list of 10 teams he can't be dealt to without his consent.

Fielder, a .286 career hitter, was only two seasons into his $214 million, nine-year contract with Detroit when he was traded to Texas. That deal includes $30 million going back to the Rangers, though the first payment of $4 million won't come until 2016, followed by $6 million in 2017 and 2018, and $7 million in 2019 and 2020.

Choo has a .288 career batting average and .389 OBP with 104 home runs and 427 RBIs in 853 major league games for Seattle (2005-06), Cleveland (2006-12) and Cincinnati. The 31-year-old South Korean had at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases three times, including last season.

While Choo started 150 games for the Reds in centre field, he will likely play left field for Texas. The Rangers have Leonys Martin in centre and Alex Rios in right.

Choo's addition almost certainly closes the door on the possible return of slugger Nelson Cruz, who had 27 homers and 76 RBIs in his 109 games for Texas last season.

Cruz was suspended 50 games after Major League Baseball's investigation into a Florida clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. The 2011 AL championship series MVP finished his suspension in time to play in the tiebreaker game against Tampa Bay.

Texas will lose its first-round pick by signing Choo, but would get a first-round pick back when Cruz, presumably, signs with another team.

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Blue Jays claim Brent Morel off waivers from White Sox

Reserve 3B hit .200 in 12 games for White Sox

The Associated Press Posted: Dec 23, 2013 4:41 PM ET Last Updated: Dec 23, 2013 4:43 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed third baseman Brent Morel off waivers from the Chicago White Sox roster.

Morel, 26, appeared in 12 games for the White Sox last season, batting .200.

He had .266 average with six home runs and 54 RBIs in 106 games for triple-A Charlotte.

A third-round selection by the White Sox in 2008, Morel has spent parts of four seasons in the majors, recording a .229 average in 194 games with 13 home runs and 54 runs batted in.

The Blue Jays now have 40 players on the 40-man roster.

Comments on this story are pre-moderated. Before they appear comments are reviewed by moderators to ensure they meet our submission guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Submission Policy

Note: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are moderated and published according to our submission guidelines.

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Kevin Youkilis agrees to 1-year deal with Rakuten in Japan

Kevin Youkilis is leaving the major leagues after an injury plagued season and heading to Japan.

The three-time All-Star has agreed to a one-year contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Pacific League.

"They made it very apparent right from the start they were quite interested in Kevin being there," agent Joe Bick said Friday.

A 34-year-old first baseman and third baseman, Youkilis will have a $4 million base salary and can earn $1 million bonuses — including some based on walks, a provision not allowed in major league contracts.

After nine seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Youkilis signed a $12 million, one-year deal with the New York Yankees. But his back started to bother him in mid-April, and an epidural injection didn't improve a lumbar spine sprain.

Sidelined from April 27 to May 31, he went back on the DL on June 13, had surgery a week later to repair a herniated disk and didn't return. Youkilis hit just .219 with two homers and eight RBIs over 28 games and 105 at-bats.

"There's no reason to believe he's anything less than 100 per cent," Bick said. "Workouts are going normally."

Youkilis has a .281 average in 10 big league seasons with 150 homers and 618 RBIs, and he earned a World Series ring with the 2007 Red Sox.

At Rakuten, Youkilis may become teammates with star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, who went 24-0 last season, While Tanaka wants to join the major leagues, Rakuten is reluctant to make him available in the new posting season, and the 25-year-old right-hander can't leave as a free agent until after the 2015 season.

"We were talking with eight or nine other clubs over here," Bick said. "In the final analysis, he said the right thing for my family and me is to go do this. It will be a wonderful life experience."

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Shin-Soo Choo agrees to 7-year deal with Rangers: report

The Rangers have made another Texas-sized deal to improve their offence.

Free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo agreed to a $130 million US, seven-year contract with the Rangers, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement about the deal that is pending a physical for Choo. That person said the physical is expected to be done before Christmas, and that any formal introduction in Texas likely wouldn't come until after the holiday Wednesday.

The deal came a month after the Rangers acquired five-time All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder in a trade with Detroit for second baseman Ian Kinsler, their primary leadoff hitter.

Texas now gets the best offensive player left in free agency, with both additions to be under contract through the 2020 season.

Choo's deal, worth about $18.6 million per season, is the third-highest this off-season. Second baseman Robinson Cano got $240 million over 10 years from Seattle and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, like Choo, a client of agent Scott Boras, signed a $153 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Choo could be at the top or in the middle of the Texas lineup. He was Cincinnati's leadoff hitter for 143 games last season, when he had a .423 on-base percentage with 20 stolen bases and 21 home runs.

The Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, with 730 runs scored their fewest in a non-strike season since 1992. Texas, which went to its only two World Series in 2010 and 2011 and lost in the AL's first wildcard game in 2012, lost at home to Tampa Bay in a wild-card tiebreaker.

Choo's deal calls for salaries of $14 million in 2014 and 2015, $21 million in 2016 and 2017, and $20 million in each of the last three years of the deal. He can earn a bonus for finishing in the top five of the AL MVP balloting — from $250,000 as the winner to $50,000 for fifth place. He would get a $150,000 bonus for being a World Series MVP, and an additional $100,000 for being an AL championship series MVP or an All-Star, or for winning a Silver Slugger or Gold Glove award.

There will also be a limited no-trade clause, with Choo able each year to submit a list of 10 teams he can't be dealt to without his consent.

Fielder, a .286 career hitter, was only two seasons into his $214 million, nine-year contract with Detroit when he was traded to Texas. That deal includes $30 million going back to the Rangers, though the first payment of $4 million won't come until 2016, followed by $6 million in 2017 and 2018, and $7 million in 2019 and 2020.

Choo has a .288 career batting average and .389 OBP with 104 home runs and 427 RBIs in 853 major league games for Seattle (2005-06), Cleveland (2006-12) and Cincinnati. The 31-year-old South Korean had at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases three times, including last season.

While Choo started 150 games for the Reds in centre field, he will likely play left field for Texas. The Rangers have Leonys Martin in centre and Alex Rios in right.

Choo's addition almost certainly closes the door on the possible return of slugger Nelson Cruz, who had 27 homers and 76 RBIs in his 109 games for Texas last season.

Cruz was suspended 50 games after Major League Baseball's investigation into a Florida clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. The 2011 AL championship series MVP finished his suspension in time to play in the tiebreaker game against Tampa Bay.

Texas will lose its first-round pick by signing Choo, but would get a first-round pick back when Cruz, presumably, signs with another team.

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