I expect that a deal will get done, just because these types of deals usually do get done.

That said, from Darvish’s perspective, I am not real sure I understand why. He will, as I understand, be a free agent after this season in Japan. So, if he pitched one more hear in Japan, where he is certainly comfortable and well compensated, he would have complete bargaining freedom in a year.

The Rangers are likely offering something on the order of $100M over ~5 years, including the posting fee, but, around half of that money will never see Darvish’s bank account. Financially, there is little doubt that Darvish would make more, possibly much more, in the long term if he were to wait a year and become a free agent. Also, he has at least given lip service to having preferred destinations (west coast), so he’d have that going for him as well.

for TOR starters, minus the potential extension candidates of course.

My understanding is Yu can re-post next off-season (doesn’t make a ton of sense) or he has to wait until after the 2013 season to be an unrestricted free agent. He’d still be young, but I’d be pretty surprised if a deal doesn’t get done this afternoon.

For the Cubs sake, i hope the Rangers fail to sign him. It might incentivize them to package something too good to pass up for Garza and they’d probably make a good run at Fielder which could guarantee he’s out of the NL. Oh, and the Cubs could sign him in 2013 if the timing works out like we hope and he continues his dominance in Japan.