We’re two months away from Opening Day in MLB and most of the top free agents haven’t signed yet. That includes Yu Darvish, who apparently is getting closer to picking a team and according to three different reports the pitcher has three preferred destinations. Yup, it’s been that kind of an offseason.
Just over the weekend, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported that Darvish was narrowing the field and according to one executive the Cubs were seen as the favorites to sign Darvish. On Monday, MLB insider Jon Morosi said Darvish would ultimately pick to sign with the Cubs even if they didn’t offer him the most money.
.@jonmorosi believes other teams will have to win the Yu Darvish bidding by a "clear margin" to keep him from going to the #Cubs pic.twitter.com/Egk1fyNeCd
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 29, 2018
Right now, it appears as though the biggest hurdle in signing Darvish is the length of the contract.
BUT WAIT! The Dodgers are actually Darvish’s preferred team?
That’s right, after Morosi’s comments, Dodgers reporter Andy McCullough answered the following when asked if Darvish is actually waiting for the Dodgers to shed some money to make room for him.
“Yes. My understanding is that Yu Darvish has made clear he would like to return to the Dodgers, and part of the delay in his free agency is related to waiting to see if the team can move some of the money.”
OK, I guess that would kind of make sense considering the Dodgers have Matt Kemp’s big salary that no one wants and Darvish hasn’t signed yet, BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!
Yu Darvish is actually waiting for the Texas Rangers?
T.R. Sullivan, beat reporter for the Rangers, wrote this.
It seems obvious — reading all the signs — that Darvish wants to return to the Rangers. The problem is the Rangers keep saying that it is “unlikely” that they’ll be active at the top of the free-agent pitching market. Certainly the term “unlikely” leaves wiggle room, and the tedious dance continues with Rangers fans left tantalized by the wait.
Despite all other factors being tossed about, Darvish could be the one keeping the free-agent market from moving. He is the top starting pitcher on the market, and those guys usually sign in November. If Darvish were to sign, it could break the inertia. But he may be waiting to see if the Rangers blink first.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?!?!
Short answer, no one actually knows.
I don’t blame Yu Darvish at all. This is going to set up the rest of his life, a once in a lifetime payday, so he has every right to wait as long as he wants to get whatever he thinks he deserves. I just think it’s hilarious that in one day Darvish supposedly has three different preferred destinations.
*waits for Brewers are favorites to sign Darvish story*
