Will Masahiro Tanaka meet with the Texas Rangers

Aug 14, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view of the stadium while the tarp is covering the field during rain that delayed the beginning of the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Will Masahiro Tanaka meet with the Texas Rangers?  It is being reported that Masahiro Tanaka is now in the United States and will soon be meeting with several clubs over the next week.  Some of the teams that he’ll be meet with are the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks.

So, far, there are no reports that Tanaka will be meeting with the Texas Rangers.  In my opinion, Jon Daniels should be meeting with him.

The main thing that might be stopping the Texas Rangers from meeting with him is the fact that they are over budget for the 2014 season.

After the Shin-Soo Choo signing, Bob Simpson was quoted about the Texas Rangers finances for 2014.

“We’re probably comfortable where we are in terms of financial commitments,” Simpson said. “Tanaka would be a tough thing.” (Richard Durrett – ESPN Dallas)

Masahiro Tanaka has done really well in Japan with a record of 99-35 with an ERA of 2.30.  Last season he went 24-0 with an ERA of 1.27.

Those are the kind of stats the Texas Rangers need to add to their top of the starting rotation.  With Matt Harrison and Colby Lewis returning in 2014 from injuries, it is still unknown what impact those two will have next season.  Signing Tanaka as the advantage of not requiring the Texas Rangers to lose a draft pick or a player to acquire him.  The negative is though, the large contract he will demand.

It is expected that Masahiro Tanaka will require a $100 million contract and another $20 million for the posting fee for the Rakuten Golden Eagles.   Tanaka has until January 24th to decide on a team.

Hopefully the Rangers will make a strong effort to pick him up, but at this point it doesn’t look promising.  Then again, no one thought the Texas Rangers would sign Shin-Soo Choo.  Hopefully Jon Daniels one more surprise for us before the season begins.