Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Pros and Cons: Should Giants go after Masahiro Tanaka?
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, November 7, 2013 - 2:15pm
Follow @csnbaggs

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants are downplaying the chances they could land Masahiro Tanaka, the latest pitching sensation from Japan with a disappearing splitter and golden scouting reports.

And yet, almost everyone in the organization who owns a stopwatch and a Panama hat has traveled to Japan to see him pitch. (OK, so Pat Burrell probably doesn’t own a Panama hat.)

Does "A" plus "B" equal a stealth run at one of the offseason’s biggest prizes?

Could the Giants be downplaying their involvement on Tanaka? Could they be willing to fork over a posting fee expected to be in excess of $60 or even $70 million, and then guarantee a contract worth a similar amount, to a 24-year-old who hasn’t thrown one pitch in the big leagues?

Well, they aren’t ruling it out -- on or off the record.

[RELATED: MLB free agency: Giants' starting pitching options]

As GM Brian Sabean said shortly after the season ended when asked about making an international splash: “I don't know about a splash. It'd probably be a longshot, more of the homework being done and getting more immersed in how that market works and how we can get involved.”

They certainly got involved on Jose Dariel Abreu, the slugging first baseman from Cuba who signed a six-year, $68 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. Sources tell me the Giants made an offer to Abreu for a similar average annual value, but couldn’t guarantee a sixth year to a player who profiles as a designated hitter in the not-so-distant future.

If the Abreu pursuit proves anything, though, it’s that the Giants didn’t exhaust their coffers when they brought back Tim Lincecum for two years and $35 million. They plan to spend money to find a right-handed hitter, preferably in left field, and address the two vacancies in their rotation.

Should Tanaka be their top priority? Let’s weigh some pros and cons:

PROS
1. Tanaka’s stuff should translate. He probably won’t go 24-0 with a 1.24 ERA as a big league rookie, as he did this past season for Tohoku Rakuten Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League. But he throws consistently in the mid-90s, and while he doesn’t have Yu Darvish’s expansive repertoire, his splitter is a wipeout pitch. He profiles as a No. 2 starter, at minimum.

2. There isn’t another pitcher of Tanaka’s quality on the free-agent market. And three of the better ones, Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda, would cost a draft pick after receiving qualifying offers. Even Ricky Nolasco, a mid-rotation starter with No. 4 stuff, probably will get four years and $50 million. The best the Giants could hope to do would be to sign one or two innings eaters such as Bronson Arroyo or Dan Haren on shorter-term contracts. That probably won’t be enough to compete with the Dodgers’ staff, even if they get bounce-back years from Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. The Giants won two World Series with pitching and defense. If they’re going to get back, shouldn’t they invest in pitching and defense?

3. Not like the Giants need to capture the marketplace, but no signing would invigorate the region more than Tanaka. It would lead to more international exposure, which is never bad for the brand. No other free agent would be more marketable or would attract more new fans.

4. The posting system is being revamped by Nippon Professional Baseball and MLB, but reports indicate that the top bidder still would get exclusive negotiating rights. As it stands now, any posting fee would not be subject to the luxury tax, which means clubs like the Yankees and Dodgers have an additional incentive to ante up. The Giants aren’t near the luxury tax threshold, but they do have $384 million in future salary committed -- more than every team except the Dodgers and Angels -- so they could find themselves inching into that territory. The posting fee exemption could have positive future implications for them, then.

5. Signing Tanaka would keep him away from the Dodgers. Simple enough, right?

CONS
1. Tanaka hasn’t thrown a pitch in the big leagues. For every Yu Darvish, there’s a Daisuke Matsuzaka or Kei Igawa or Hideki Irabu. It’s a massive risk, especially if you place a premium value on track record as Sabean does.

2. As mentioned, the Giants already have a lot of money committed. If Tanaka ends up being a $150 million bust, it could lead to some massive payroll inflexibility for the better part of this decade.

3. Signing Tanaka probably means going cheap in left field. It’s not like there are a lot of choices out there anyway (Marlon Byrd, anyone?), but signing Tanaka likely would give the Giants enough belief they can return to the pitching-and-defense model that they could try to get by with a platoon of Gregor Blanco and a right-handed platoon partner not named Andres Torres in left field. You OK with that?

4. Tanaka has a lot of mileage on his arm. Just last week, one day after throwing 160 pitches in a playoff, game, Tanaka hurled a scoreless inning of relief. That would never happen in the U.S., obviously, and you have to wonder how that kind of usage could impact his future performance. Then again, Giants vice president Dick Tidrow wasn’t sold on drafting Tim Lincecum until he saw him throw a heavy pitch count in a college game and then play pole-to-pole long toss the following day. Some arms just have the ability to bounce back. (The split is considered a tough pitch on the elbow, too.)

5. The Giants already used the “Professor Tanaka” nickname on Kensuke Tanaka.

So what do you think? Should the Giants make Tanaka their top priority this winter?

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Harbaugh talks third-down issues, potential roster moves
Matt and Mindi: Kap hasn't made players around him better
Harbaugh refuses to dissect Kap's performance vs. Panthers
Romanowski and Neal: Raiders should consider Tebow

Giants

Pros and Cons: Brian McCann in the Orange and Black?
Report: Dodgers willing to deal Kemp, Ethier
Report: Murton, Messenger to stay in Japan
Report: Yankees going all in on Japan's Masahiro Tanaka
Read More

Athletics

Twins moving Joe Mauer to first base
A's have decisions as arbitration date nears
Report: Teams lining up for Hudson
Young Ranger southpaw signs new contract
Read More

Sharks

Stuart takes benching in stride; Marleau moving?
Sharks' shootout struggles continue in Winnipeg
Sharks have another OT goal disallowed in loss
Instant Replay: Shootout defeat puts Sharks' losing streak at five
Read More

49ers

With Davis, Celek banged up 49ers contemplate roster moves
Kaepernick's sailing not as smooth in first full season
Video: NFL week 10 recap
Week 10 Rewind: Offense stalls as 49ers lose a slugfest
Read More

Raiders

Incognito says Martin sent him threatening text
Week 10 Rewind: Woodson's speech doesn't alter outcome
Will Jennings cut into McFadden's carries?
Raiders defense plays better, still not good enough
Read More

Warriors

Spurs coach Popovich: Warriors are 'for real'
Warriors better for the experience after road trip
Celtics beat Heat with buzzer-beating three pointer
Instant Replay: Warriors drop second straight, lose to Grizzlies
Read More

NCAA

Stanford moves up in BCS standings
No. 16 Fresno State dismantles Wyoming
San Jose State falls at home to San Diego State
Cal dismantled by USC 62-28
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Pros and Cons: Brian McCann in the Orange and Black?
(4)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Report: Dodgers willing to deal Kemp, Ethier
(49)
Report: Murton, Messenger to stay in Japan
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

What is the market like for Wilson?
What is the market like for Wilson?
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Report: Yankees going all in on Japan's Masahiro Tanaka
Carlos Beltran seeks three or four-year deal

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Pros and Cons: Brian McCann in the Orange and Black?
  • Ron Wotus reacts to Mariners' hire of McClendon
  • Andrew Baggarly's Giants chat transcript (11.6.13)
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Twins moving Joe Mauer to first base
Associated Press

More Stories

A's have decisions as arbitration date nears
Report: Teams lining up for Hudson
See more >

A's VIDEO

Are Balfour and Colon's days in Oakland over?
Are Balfour and Colon's days in Oakland over?
See more >

A's TALK

Young Ranger southpaw signs new contract
Las Vegas favors A's to Giants in 2014
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Stuart takes benching in stride; Marleau moving?
(1)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks' shootout struggles continue in Winnipeg
(2)
Sharks have another OT goal disallowed in loss
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Canadian swing continues in Calgary for showdown with Flames
Canadian swing continues in Calgary for showdown with Flames
See more >

Features

Instant Replay: Shootout defeat puts Sharks' losing streak at five
Sharks seeking better work ethic against Jets

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Cardinals leaning on surgically-repaired Carpenter in Game 2
  • Instant Replay: Giants' comeback falls short in Game 1 loss
  • Kelly to miss first two NLCS games, at least
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Spurs coach Popovich: Warriors are 'for real'
(2)
ProBasketballTalk

More Stories

Warriors better for the experience after road trip
(14)
Celtics beat Heat with buzzer-beating three pointer
(1)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Highlights: Curry's return not enough against Grizzlies
Highlights: Curry's return not enough against Grizzlies
See more >

Features

Instant Replay: Warriors drop second straight, lose to Grizzlies
Stephen Curry will play vs. Grizzlies

MONTE POOLE

There is no data to display.

  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings' fourth-quarter push falls short vs. Blazers
Associated Press

More Stories

Preview: Kings get immediate shot at revenge against Blazers
Kings fall to Blazers despite 35 from Cousins
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Kings' effort not enough against Trail Blazers
Highlights: Kings' effort not enough against Trail Blazers
See more >

Features

Preview: Kings look to patch up defense against Blazers
Hawks' Schroder suspended for striking Kings' Cousins in groin

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

With Davis, Celek banged up 49ers contemplate roster moves
(3)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Kaepernick's sailing not as smooth in first full season
(13)
Video: NFL week 10 recap
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Harbaugh talks third-down issues, potential roster moves
Harbaugh talks third-down issues, potential roster moves
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 10 Rewind: Offense stalls as 49ers lose a slugfest
(14)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Incognito says Martin sent him threatening text
(5)
Associated Press

More Stories

Week 10 Rewind: Woodson's speech doesn't alter outcome
(7)
Will Jennings cut into McFadden's carries?
(14)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Romanowski and Neal: Raiders should consider Tebow
Romanowski and Neal: Raiders should consider Tebow
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 10 Rewind: Woodson's speech doesn't alter outcome
(7)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

First steel column laid in Quakes' new stadium
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Earthquakes to open Levi's Stadium
(5)
Quakes sign Mark Watson to multi-year contract as head coach
(1)
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Pros and Cons: Brian McCann in the Orange and Black?
(4)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Warriors better for the experience after road trip
(14)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

With Davis, Celek banged up 49ers contemplate roster moves
(3)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Week 10 Rewind: Woodson's speech doesn't alter outcome
(7)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Stuart takes benching in stride; Marleau moving?
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

49ers dangerously close to becoming one-dimensional operation

TOP STORIES

  • Pros and Cons: Brian McCann in the Orange and Black?
  • Report: Dodgers willing to deal Kemp, Ethier
  • Report: Murton, Messenger to stay in Japan

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

TEXT ALERTS

Be the first to know. Sign up for breaking news text alerts!

NCAA

Cal dismantled by USC 62-28
Cal rolls to 83-64 win over Coppin State

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Harbaugh talks third-down issues, potential roster moves
Harbaugh talks third-down issues, potential roster moves
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers Insider
  • Scott Bair - Raiders Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks Insider
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California