Frank_Thomas

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but I've been checking it the past few days just ecause it's a Japenese press outlet. Granted they are just posting the latest, I think it has the least spin. Anyways it should get interesting, I was more confident yesterday, when I thought it was only the Sox brass that met with him. But it looks like most teams did it this way. I still am confident we sold him on this team. With KWs comments, Downs comments after signing, and just the overall overhaul we've done in a few month. I'm not puting anything past Hahn, I think the money is there. More than people in this board woul like to commit, and more than we think. Like Rock said with Jerry being involved, the accounting meeting beforehand, it's clear we went "All in." and truthfully, minus the huge supposed $ it might cost, he fits perfect with what we are doing. And when they were meeting and had the thought of Sale and Tanaka in their prime in this rotation. I have a good feeling. Here's the posts. http://yakyubaka.com/2014/01/11/1112014-ma...aka-news-notes/ Masahiro Tanaka updates from Saturday, January 11, 2014: According to Nikkan Sports: The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have likely met with Tanaka in the Beverly Hills area. Chicago White Sox Executive Vice President Ken Williams, General Manager Rick Hahn, and Manager Robin Ventura met Tanaka. Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers and Owner Ken Kendrick met Tanaka. They may have offered him the number eighteen. Chicago Cubs Owner Tom Ricketts, President Theo Epstein, GM Jed Hoyer, and Manager Rick Renteria met Tanaka. They may have shown him a video of their various facilities. Source: Nikkan Sports 1/11/2014 According to Sponichi: Tanaka met with six to eight teams on the 9th (US time) for about thirty to forty minutes each. Chicago White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf was also in attendance. Tanaka could meet teams like the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, and Toronto Blue Jays on the 10th (US time)/11th (Japan time). Source: Sponichi 1/11/2014 [uPDATE @ 2:58pm] According to a tweet by the San Francisco Chronicle's John Shea, Tanaka's top three cities are Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. Source: Daily Sports 1/11/2014 [uPDATE @ 6:29pm] Tanaka flew into Narita Airport out of Los Angeles today. He did not speak to the media. Source: Nikkan Sports 1/11/2014 Big thing, he gone, from LA. Sale pitches are over at least for his Tanaka not his agent.

Here's a good article about Tanka in general. This got me excited. His competitiveness is compared to Greg Maddox. Good read. http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1526759

Here come the Cubbies: http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/next-moves-...aka-sweepstakes Willing to go nine figures

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 04:10 PM) It's just rumor mongering. It's no different than how Hahn said he had talks "exploratory in nature" and some writer headlined an article WHITE SOX IN HOT PURSUIT OF TANAKA I agree. Everything that comes out is pure speculation and beat writers planting stuff for negotiation sake. It's already been stated Tanka and his agent prefer negotioations to sty confidential. I would think teams would respect that in fear of losing him because of it. I think the best place to look are Japenese newspapers for the best nuggets.

Personally, I think we sign this guy.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 01:20 PM) But what about the rumor he wants to play on the west coast? Honestly, I haven't really read that any where. It's definitely been rumored or whispered but it's all speculation. No one knows what this guy really wants. However what's not speculation, the three top day-to-day honchos went out to LA meet him face to face, pitched him. I really think that's huge sign of respect and goes along way at the end of this. I also think the LA 3 tried to sell him on being really the first major Japenese star to pave a way for others in the 3rd largest market in the country. Even with him being quiet, it has to be appealing to get out of the spotlight of LA and media Burage in NY. He can pitch every 5th day, compete, live a quiet live in CHI without all the baggage playing for the other teams brings. He can worry about playing baseball while the Sox market him into the next big thing from Japan.

It would also be interesting to know of this 3 are still out west our have made it back this way. I wish someone had a hook up at American Airlines. Or we could get Clohe O'Brien on it ( sry 24 reference)

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 10, 2014 -> 01:13 PM) Wellp, it was fun while it lasted. I'm still optimistic, maybe this guy doesn't just want the $. Maybe he wants to be "The Guy" and can certaintly be that here. In the MLBTR update it quote their team president not to predict him to land with LA on a radio show and now this???. This could all be desperation. Although Nightengale is usually damn good and spot on, the winds out of the sail, but I still say we have a chance. Those three don't take that trip if they hadn't been in contact with his agent and believed they had a shot with a good pitch. That coupled with Rocks update with the Accounting Geeks coming together, if we can offer a competitive offer in terms of dollars who know what Hahn can work in the contract and what was said to sell him and separate the south side.

And then there is this... Via MLbtr just now Dodgers Plan To Go "All Out" To Sign Tanaka By Steve Adams [January 10 at 1:04pm CST] While team president Stan Kasten said in a radio interview yesterday not to predict the Dodgers to land Masahiro Tanaka, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (via Twitter) that the Dodgers have made it known that they will go "all out" to sign the Japanese ace and "certainly won't be outbid." Of course, because of the new posting agreement between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, signing Tanaka is no longer simply a matter of outbidding your opponents. Any team that wishes to pay the $20MM posting fee can negotiate with Tanaka as if he were a free agent, and the team would only lose that $20MM if an agreement between the two sides were to be reached. In other words, virtually any team in the Majors can afford to negotiate with Tanaka, and he could have preferences beyond signing for top dollar. We've heard a great number of teams connected to Tanaka over the past two days, as the right-hander is in Los Angeles at this time meeting with teams face-to-face. In the past 24 hours alone, the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Angels, Dodgers, Cubs, White Sox, Blue Jays and Indians have all been linked to Tanaka.

So I did a little looking around on the Internet today, just googling Tanaka and the latest news surrounding him. I found it very interesting the White Sox have really been the only team to be rumored and confirmed to have spoken to Tanka and his agent personally. By that I mean, KW, Hahn, and Robin met him in person and told them what they had to offer. Now other teams very well could have done the same thing and the White Sox have been the only team that leaked. However, I find that hard to believe with the hype surrounding Tanaka. That being said, by the Sox showing the respect to show up personably and pitch him with really the three figure heads of the Org. Shouldn't be underestimated. Japan is a culture rooted in respect and by us reaching out like this could go a long way. Finally, I came across a Japanese article saying Tanaka plans to be in LA through Friday to meet teams take a physical and i took it as leave to go back to Japan and think befor 1/24. If that's true the process could be wrapped up as far as Tanaka and teams, obviously the agent and teams will be in contact. But if we were able to impress upon Tanaka in person with those three the significance he could bring to our franchise and city could separate us. It's been said this guy is a low key quiet competitor and exact opposite as Yu was who embraced the rock star figure in Japan. Here's some of the links I came across, that state teams interest, however it was through feeling out and a personal meeting has yet to take place. Again could be nothing but it's odd you haven't heard any other top tier Organizational guys meet Tanaka. Blue Jays: http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/gibbons-c...rest-in-tanaka/ Rangers: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/ranger...p;vkey=news_mlb Angels: http://www.monkeywithahalo.com/2014-articl...son-opener.html Japan News: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000931576 Overall update: http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/01/10/o...rs-posting-fee/ MLB.com Sox article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

Here's another reason our interest may be increasing, the posting fee will now be split in 4 payments, instead of 2. That could be huge. From MLBTR: THURSDAY: The posting fee will actually be split into four payments over 18 months, Major League sources tell Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel. According to McDaniel, the payment schedule breaks down as follows: 10 percent of posting fee due within 14 days of the submission of the posted player's contract (for the Rakuten Golden Eagles, that would mean $10MM on Feb. 7). 17 percent of the posting fee due within six months of the submission of the posted player's contract ($3.4MM for the Golden Eagles on July 24). 17 percent of the posting fee due within 12 months of the submission of the posted player's contract ($3.4MM for the Golden Eagles on Jan. 24, 2015). 16 percent of the posting fee due within 18 months of the submission of the posted player's contract ($3.2MM for the Golden Eagles on July 24, 2015).

ESPN Chicago article had an update about Tanaka and featured quotes from the Dodgers GM Ned Colette, who has been in contact with his agent, Casey, since he was posted. Colette says he will meet with teams to hear their pitches about living in the different cities, the markets, and the teams going forward. If this is the case, and he is interested in the best location for him, not just $. I give us a better chance, a long shot but a better chance. I like KW and Hahn at least getting an opportunity to sell the South Side to him and why Chicago needs a Japenese star. And I wouldn't under estimate Hahn's negotiation skills and the way he irons out contracts when it gets to that point. It's been said many times in the media that's his area of expertise. Here's what I found interesting ill post a link for the article as well. Link: http://m.espn.go.com/mlb/story?storyId=102...mp;city=chicago Tanaka and agent Casey Close have until a deadline of 5 p.m. ET Jan. 24 to have a contract and physical completed with a team. The right-hander went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in the Japanese League last season and is considered by many to be a top-of-the-rotation starter. The major league team that signs Tanaka, 25, will owe a $20 million posting fee to the Rakuten Golden Eagles. There have been reports that Tanaka will initially meet with the Cubs and White Sox. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Wednesday that Tanaka is trying to educate himself about what it would be like to play in each of the cities. "I talked to Casey as soon as they announced he was going to be posted and as soon as they announced Casey would represent him," Colletti said. "Obviously, Casey and I go back quite a while. They're in a feeling-out process. They're trying to learn about different cities, different teams, different markets, how teams are constructed going forward. "You know, it's a big decision for the player too, so we've had those types of conversations and we'll continue to see where it goes."

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 10:29 AM) VERY slim chance unless for some reason this guy wants to play for the Sox. We can have some money available if need be, but is this the right way to spend it? I dont know. Thanks Rock, I know your nugs always help understand the Front office's thinking. I know I appreciate any inside knowledge you bring. As far as Tanaka wanting to play for us, I'm not sure what we really have to sell him? Being a part of a young core? Be a "L" stop away from China town? Be a part of a rebuild? However, whatever Hahn and KW has been selling seems to be working. Abreu is a large example, but look at Downs comments recently. Here's a 37-40 year old pitcher at the tail end of his career and he says he chose the Sox because they gave him the best chance to win. Now we don't know his other offers, and usually this is typical FA speak after signing a contract. But if we took Downs at his word, maybe the Sox do have this plan, and maybe Tanaka has been a part of it. I'll tell you this much, I like our chances of competiting a whole Lot more if we do sign him.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 10:15 AM) It was the perfect storm for the Sox to get Abreu with the Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, Angels, Red Sox all pretty much set at 1B/DH. If a couple of those teams really needed him, his price tag probably rises significantly. With Tanaka, with KW in LA, obviously the Sox appear serious. It makes total sense, and would put their rebuild on the fast track. Obviously, I still believe it's a long shot at best, but roll the dice. Agreed, and by the quotes from KW in the sun times article, he's taking this Tanaka business seriously. Whether or not we end up signing him, you can not fault this Front Offce for the effort and dedication they have put forth this offseason righting this ship. If they could ice my cake with a 25 year old pitcher who went 24-0 last season with a 1.50 ERA. I would be speechless. To add his potential with Sale and the other young high ceiling players we have traded for. The buzz the would and have generated on the South side would be amazing.

Also read Tanaka has to have a contract by Jan. 24th, so thinks will definitely be hearing up this week and next, and we'll know how much WSox interest is there an how much of a chance we actually have. Got the date from Heyman article: http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-h...others-known-in

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 9, 2014 -> 09:01 AM) Seems like a strong hint on something. As for Australia, in addition to what others mentioned, remember too that KW is a business head now. This relationship the Sox have with the Sydney Blue Sox is a new thing, and they probably need to do things to maintain it. One player was involved (peripherally) in a fight, the other was hurt (not in the fight) and flew home. Could be there to make sure things are still OK, and to work on decisions about future ABL seasons for their prospects. Or, outside possibility, they were scouting players in the ABL. Not just the Sox guys, but other MiLB guys who are down there (like Keon Broxton). I agree it's a strong hint, and the last time KW set a coded hint like this was for Abreu and we signed him. Too add to the mystique of his comments. More importantly LA, here is the latest update via MLBTR. To sum up, didn't make it to Chicago, instead flew to LA for meetings. MLBTR- Masahiro Tanaka has arrived in the United States to begin meeting with Major League clubs, tweets David Waldstein of the New York Times. Tanaka was originally planning on flying into Chicago, but an NL official tells Waldstein that weather caused him to fly into Los Angeles instead. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that Tanaka's camp could meet with as many as a dozen by Friday. According to Heyman, the Dodgers, Angels, Cubs, White Sox, Yankees and Diamondbacks all have meetings set. The Blue Jays have also had multiple conversations with Tanaka's camp already, he adds, but it's unclear if they have a face-to-face meeting set in Los Angeles. Heyman reports that Tanaka began meetings yesterday and could meet with five to six teams per day. If somehow we were able to sign him, what a fing offseason. Plus the potential for our rotation, Sale, Tanaka, and Q. I would be estatic for the season.

Actually I see what your talking about, I see scouting reports say both my bad man.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:46 AM) B-R says right handed as does fangraphs and baseball prospectus. Throws right, bats Lefty... Sebastian Valle / C, PHI Born 7/24/1990 (23 yrs old) Los Mochis, Mexico Height 6-1 Weight 170 Bats/Throws L/R 210 | 3/23/2013

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:11 AM) While it certainly appears he can't hit, catchers usually do take longer to find their way. It wouldn't kill the Sox to stash him in Charlotte. I agree Dick, it's not like we have the next best thing there he would be taking at bats from. Personally I rather take a flyer on this kid and let him develope than give up something for Jose Labaton.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:07 AM) Hit his peak in A ball. What a find ! And he's righthanded. Nope left handed and the dudes only 23, has plenty of time to develope. He clearly wouldn't start at MLB level but work his way through the minors.

Hey, I'll take him. We have a bunch of question marks and ifs and buts behind the plate already. I have read a few scouting reports and from what I can see this guy was set to be the Phillies long time catcher this year or the next and his development has halted. Sometimes a guy needs a change, a move to a different organization with new coaches trying to improve you. I think if we picked this guy up and he clicked, we're looking at that LH catcher we desperately need. Plus he supposedly is great defensively throwing runners out and working with pitchers. Scouting report for 2012: Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Good defensive catcher with plus power potential and surprising athleticism; potential All-Star backstop. The Player: Sebastian Valle (C, Philadelphia Phillies) – The Phillies signed Valle out of Mexico as a 16-year old in 2007 and immediately sent him to the DSL to start his career. He hit well there and then immediately hit well in the GCL in 2008. The 2009 season was his breakout campaign with a monster .307/.335/.531 line as an 18-year old in the NYPL. He struggled some in 2010 with Lakewood but got back on track with a .284/.312/.394 line in 91 games at High-A Clearwater in 2011. Scouting Report Body: Strong, well-proportioned body with good strength throughout. Lower half has thickened some as he has matured but he is still extremely athletic and moves well. May bulk up a little more as he reaches his physical peak but he has room on his frame to add mass without issue. Makeup: Diligent worker with a good grasp of how to take criticism and make himself a better player. His pitchers like working with him and he has improved his ability to command the game from behind the plate. Hit: Tremendous strength in wrists and forearms gives him plus-plus bat speed. His bat gets to the zone quickly and with good loft stays in the zone for a long time. His timing can get off and he can get behind on good fastballs when his high leg kick isn’t timed properly. Gets pull happy and works much better when he uses the opposite field. Won’t ever be a standout hitter but will be enough to let his power play. Grade – 30/40 Power: Plus-plus bat speed and elevation on the back half of his swing gives him ability to drive the ball over the fence to all fields. Truly impressive pull power that he falls in love with at times, letting his swing get long. Could still add additional strength giving him additional power projection beyond his present state. Grade (raw power) – 40/60 Arm: Quick release and natural arm strength but the ball doesn’t always come out clean. Drops arm at times allowing throws to sail. When his arm stays up he has more than enough strength to help control the running game, and with more consistency he be an average thrower. Grade – 40/50 Fielding: Highly athletic for a catcher. Moves very well behind the plate and has advanced blocking skills for a player his age. He catches the ball cleanly and has begun to develop a feel for framing borderline pitches. Has good footwork on throws and has improved his glove-to-hand transfer. Still needs to improve game calling ability and consistency on throws. Grade – 40/60 Speed: Below-average home to first times despite good overall athleticism. Has slowed as his lower half has thickened and could slow even more in the coming years, but not too much. Has good instincts and shouldn’t be a complete hindrance on the bases. Grade – 30/30 Summation: Bat speed and power potential gives him above-average offensive potential behind the plate. Could be a .260 hitter with 20-25 home runs annually. Won’t offer much on-base ability outside of batting average thanks to aggressive approach. Defense should also be a plus both with his handling of the pitching staff and his catch-and-throw skills. If both offense and defense reach their ceiling he has the potential to be an All-Star level catcher that hits sixth in the lineup. Relative Risk: High. He’s still very young and his ultra-aggressive, swing-at-everything approach could ultimately hold him back. Future: He wore down in the second half of the hot Florida summer but showed enough that the Phillies are prepared to send him to Double-A Reading to start the 2012 season. He could require two years to polish his game but he is the catcher of the future in Philadelphia and could be a key piece for the Phillies to build around as the current crop of stars continues to age.

No offense but I googled sox fest line up and first link directed me to the sox website, where Viciedo is in the lineup to be there as well as new additions: Current players Paul Konerko, Adam Eaton, Jose Abreu, Adam Dunn, Avisail Garcia, Josh Phegley, Nate Jones, Matt Lindstrom, Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo, past stars Ron Kittle, Carlos May, Minnie Minoso, Tom Paciorek, Gary Peters and Frank Thomas, manager Robin Ventura, and coaches Don Cooper and Todd Steverson, along with White Sox prospects Erik Johnson, Micah Johnson and Marcus Semien. Recently added - current players Paul Konerko, Adam Eaton, Dayan Viciedo, prospect Micah Johnson, and coaches Don Cooper and Todd Steverson! Link: http://whitesox.mlb.com/cws/community/soxfest_2014.jsp Definitely reading too much into things, personally I think Viciedo is staying put.

High praise from Nightengale: The #WhiteSox have improved more than anyone in #MLB the last 6 months with acquistions of 1B Abreu, RF Garcia, CF Eaton and 3B Davidson.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 09:25 PM) If you can't get excited about that as a Sox fan, I'm sure the North side of town has room. It's hard to imagine this team looks this good, that quickly. I don't think any of us could have anticipated Hahn's direction. He has killed it this offseason, whether or not all of these trades pan out. He has taken a broken roster and filled it with promise. It will be an exciting spring to get our first glimpses at our new additions and a great 2014 seeing a young roster compete. I have said it before, don't underestimate the impact Steverson brings as the new hitting coach. He comes from Oakland who does an amazing job developing young players. I'm stoked for this season, and there is no doubt there are more moves to come, it's a matter of who we trade or for what. Hopefully a catcher, but with the way Hahn's offseason is playing out, predicting and guessing is pointless. We can only sit back, relax, and strap in. Just to clarify was agreeing with your post.