NEWSLETTER
I know. The Yu Darvish saga is as frustrating as ever, but there some notable updates to discuss, so hang in there.
In the wee hours of the morning today, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi relayed the latest on the top five remaining free agents – J.D. Martinez, Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas – and the headline for Darvish caught my eye (we’ll get into the rest later today).
Apparently, Morosi has heard from an industry source that the Twins are willing to offer Yu Darvish a five-year contract, while the Cubs “current comfort level has been at four years.” Neither team, nor Darvish’s representatives commented on those parameters, but that’s to be expected.
So what does that mean?
Well, in one sense, that squares with what we already thought, but perhaps to a slightly more significant extent. Here’s what Brett had to say yesterday, when it was reported that, all things equal, Darvish prefers to join the Cubs:
If it’s close – even if the Cubs are slightly behind – the belief is Darvish will go with the Cubs. If the Twins don’t really step up in the next 48 to 72 hours, says Morosi, there’s a good chance Darvish is a Cub.
One other possibility we at least have to hold open: the Cubs’ offer to Darvish could be much lower than other offers out there. So, even as they might be his preferred destination, perhaps he’s not holding out for them to up an acceptable offer – perhaps he’s holding out hope that the Cubs will even get into an acceptable range.
Okay, so is this the Twins upping their offer to push the Cubs to either match it or move on? Well, without knowing the financials – or if the Twins were also previously holding the line at four years – it’s hard to know, but that does seem at least plausible.
In which case, the second paragraph above could soon become true. Perhaps the Cubs are going to hold the line at four years, even if it means they’re forced to sit out on Darvish and pivot to someone like Arrieta, or, more likely, Alex Cobb. Or maybe the Twins’ raise to five years will light a fire under the Cubs to up their offer.
In either case, if Morosi’s report is true, this whole ordeal could be nearing a conclusion. Unless, of course, the Dodgers are able to move one salary in the form of Matt Kemp, Logan Forsythe, or Yasmani Grandal, and make a move on Darvish. But until we see anything suggesting they’ll actually be able to do so, I’m not holding my breath.
