The New York Yankees are looking to stay under the luxury-tax threshold in the upcoming 2014 MLB season, but they are willing to ditch the plan for highly-coveted free agent Masahiro Tanaka.
The Yankees are still viewed as the favorite to sign the Japanese pitcher, and they have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of the 25-year-old free agent, who is reportedly considering signing with the Yanks or the Los Angeles Dodgers.
SEE: Dodgers Still In Play On Japanese Pitcher After $215 Million Deal With Clayton Kershaw
Recent reports suggested that the Yankees took a step back in their bid to sign Tanaka due to the high asking price of the right-hander, who allegedly received offers from at least one-third of the major league teams.
Sources said that Tanaka initially commanded at least $100-million contract, but other teams placed as much as $120 million for the Japanese, who went 24-0 with 1.27 ERA for the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese League last season.
But contrary to initial reports, the Yankees are still very aggressive in convincing Tanaka to take his talents to New York next MLB season.
"The luxury-tax goal has not at all hindered their pursuit of Tanaka, Steinbrenner insisted, and an industry source said the Yankees have made a "very aggressive" offer to the 25-year-old. They would rather win on Tanaka and lose on their luxury-tax goal," Kevin Davidoff of the New York Post reported.
Decision Could Be Announced Tuesday Or Wednesday
Kevin Kaplan of CSN Chicago, citing an unnamed person close to the situation, reported that Tanaka will announce his decision either on Tuesday or Wednesday ahead of the 5:00-p.m. deadline on January 24, Friday.
"He (an American League team official) told me decision should come Tuesday/Wednesday so additional medicals happen. Deal must be finalized by 5 pm Friday. No exceptions," Kaplan announced.
Aside from the Yankees and the Dodgers, both Chicago teams -- the Cubs and the White Sox -- are also in the mix for Tanaka along with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and the Boston Red Sox.
SEE: Bidding Still On, Chicago Cubs And White Sox Still Pushing Hard For Japanese Pitcher
The Cubs and the White Sox are also making last-ditch efforts to win the Tanaka bidding war, but both teams are still considered long shots. Both teams could offer big contracts to Tanaka, but reports said that the right hander will not make his decision based on money alone.
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