Seattle Mariners Rumors: Tanaka is a Mystery

Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

TheSeattle Marinersare the frontrunners to sign Japanese pitcherMasahiro Tanaka. Or, the Mariners are actually not interested.

The Mariners are flush with cash and have the ability to offer a huge deal. Or, they spent all of their money onRobinson Canoand the payroll limit cannot be raised.

Does any of this sound familar? Over the last couple of weeks we have heard all angles of this story. The M’s are in. The New York Yankees are the clear favorites. Maybe the Chicago Cubs will make a serious pitch. Or the Los Angeles Dodgers. Or the Los Angeles Angels.

Then there is the speculation about Tanaka’s mindset. Maybe he will like the grandeur of the Yankees. Perhaps he will want to pitch withHisashi Iwakuma. It could be that the Mariners are appealing because Ichiro was there. Or, maybe Tanaka does not want to play in Ichiro’s shadow. OR, maybe Tanaka wants to playwithIchiro in New York.

Do you know what we really know? Nothin’.

Let’s face it, folks. This is fascinating stuff but Jack Zduriencik is not going to offer a peep until this guy is signed. We will also not be hearing from Tanaka or his agent because there is some serious negotiating to be done. You do not tip your hand when you are trying to land a lucrative, multi-year deal.

The deadline for signing Tanaka is January 24, so we won’t have long to wait. After that, players likeMatt Garza,Ervin SantanaandUbaldo Jimenezmay come off the market pretty quickly.

Strap yourselves in, Mariners fans. This offseason ride may have a few more bumps.

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