Masahiro Tanaka

[nicksaviking]

I have a hard time believing that would fly with the MLB. They have taken some pretty drastic measures to try and level the playing field with respect to competitiveness. A system like that would make it completely unfair as the Japanese teams know which teams have more money.

 

NPB would never allow it. It would cut the posting fee dramatically as you would only have to try for top 3. It would also then encourage players to try to leave Japan as they could get mlb to bid for their services, make more money than in Japan, and drain Japan's talent pool. The players and agents would love it. The teams lose. The teams control the process.

 

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messanger (who read between the lines and threw in his interpretation of how things would play out):

 

Sources: Major changes coming to Japanese player posting system

[old nurse]

Don't shoot me, I'm just the messanger (who read between the lines and threw in his interpretation of how things would play out):

 

Sources: Major changes coming to Japanese player posting system

 

It is not shoot the messenger, it is called see both sides. "Sources" Where? MLB, agents? Of course MLB wants to get the posting fee down, it sort of saves money. If it encourages more players to come over it increases the talent pool. That might lower the cost of mid level players as there are more of them. Agents have figured out the pay is better here. It would raise the level of pay in Japan and elsewhere in the far east. On the other hand, why would the Japanese league change if they don't have to? Their free agency is at 9 years. They have control. What are they going to get to give up that control?

[nicksaviking]

It is not shoot the messenger, it is called see both sides. "Sources" Where? MLB, agents? Of course MLB wants to get the posting fee down, it sort of saves money. If it encourages more players to come over it increases the talent pool. That might lower the cost of mid level players as there are more of them. Agents have figured out the pay is better here. It would raise the level of pay in Japan and elsewhere in the far east. On the other hand, why would the Japanese league change if they don't have to? Their free agency is at 9 years. They have control. What are they going to get to give up that control?

 

Well it's not like it's Bleacher Report, this is coming from a reputable publication.

 

I'm not sure what the NPB has to gain aside from eliminating some MLB teams from putting a large bid in simply to block other teams and then not following through with a contract.

 

Also, while Japanese players are under contract for 9 years unless posted, they do not have to sign with a Japanese club to begin with. It could be a preemptive move by the Japanese Leagues in case they fear the youngsters would start to come directly to the US. By modifying the posting system, it would make it easier (and more lucrative) for the players to at least stay a few years at home.

 

Just spitballing, but the article seems pretty legit.

[maxisagod]

 

Also, while Japanese players are under contract for 9 years unless posted, they do not have to sign with a Japanese club to begin with. It could be a preemptive move by the Japanese Leagues in case they fear the youngsters would start to come directly to the US.

 

This is the key in my mind. a couple of top high school pitching prospects last year were rumored to be interested in signing with an MLB club rather then signing with a Japan team. When the first kid does do it, it could start a huge talent drain for Professional Baseball in Japan.

[old nurse]

This is the key in my mind. a couple of top high school pitching prospects last year were rumored to be interested in signing with an MLB club rather then signing with a Japan team. When the first kid does do it, it could start a huge talent drain for Professional Baseball in Japan.

If they are not drafted by an NPB they can sign. If they are drafted, then they have to sit out a year. That is part of the deal with MLB and NPB.

I would think under MLB rules, they would be subject to international amateur signing rules. So there isn't the big money for signing. If they are that talented they would probably rise up the payroll ranks quickly in Japan. Tanaka at 24 is making 4.5 million there. If he had sat out his year, went to the minors here, now as a 2 or third year player he would make no more than a million. When he comes here he can negotiate a higher payday with time enough left for a real good contract. I think they are money ahead because they will rise quicker in Japan and get paid more in the end during the development/pre free agent time.

[nicksaviking]

If they are not drafted by an NPB they can sign. If they are drafted, then they have to sit out a year. That is part of the deal with MLB and NPB.

I would think under MLB rules, they would be subject to international amateur signing rules. So there isn't the big money for signing. If they are that talented they would probably rise up the payroll ranks quickly in Japan. Tanaka at 24 is making 4.5 million there. If he had sat out his year, went to the minors here, now as a 2 or third year player he would make no more than a million. When he comes here he can negotiate a higher payday with time enough left for a real good contract. I think they are money ahead because they will rise quicker in Japan and get paid more in the end during the development/pre free agent time.

 

Like the Cubans, I don't believe any Japanese players are relegated to international signing limits but unlike the Cubans, I don't believe there are any age restrictions on the Japanese players.

 

Anyway, the Japanese owners may be taking heat from the players association. The Japanese players association hates the posting system as the players only get to negotiate with one club. If the MLBPA sees an unfair practice, they sure as hell don't sit down and take it. I doubt the Japanese players association is content with the current agreement.

 

Anyway, no matter what the rationale for change is, I'm not sure why you're disagreeing that change is likely in the air, it's all over the internet. Plenty of credible publications are getting suckered it would seem:

 

There could be a big change to the Japanese player posting system this offseason | HardballTalk

 

Report: Major changes to posting system are in the works - CBSSports.com

 

Impact of changes to posting system - MLB Rumors Blog - ESPN

 

Japanese Posting System May Change This Fall: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

[jay]

This article puts the Angels on Tanaka -- Los Angeles Angels scouted Masahiro Tanaka, Japanese pitcher, according to report - ESPN Los Angeles

[kab21]

Like the Cubans, I don't believe any Japanese players are relegated to international signing limits but unlike the Cubans, I don't believe there are any age restrictions on the Japanese players.

 

Anyway, the Japanese owners may be taking heat from the players association. The Japanese players association hates the posting system as the players only get to negotiate with one club. If the MLBPA sees an unfair practice, they sure as hell don't sit down and take it. I doubt the Japanese players association is content with the current agreement.

 

Anyway, no matter what the rationale for change is, I'm not sure why you're disagreeing that change is likely in the air, it's all over the internet. Plenty of credible publications are getting suckered it would seem:

 

There could be a big change to the Japanese player posting system this offseason | HardballTalk

 

Report: Major changes to posting system are in the works - CBSSports.com

 

Impact of changes to posting system - MLB Rumors Blog - ESPN

 

Japanese Posting System May Change This Fall: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

 

Even Cubans and Asians are subject to the new international signing limits. Almedys Diaz was being investigated for lying about his age in order to be OLDER. If he was over 23 (or whatever the limit is) then he wouldn't subject to the spending caps.