The Yu Darvish saga remains ongoing, as the coveted could-be Japanese import mulls his options. Darvish, if he were available, would instantly become one of the most sought-after starting pitchers on the market. When will Darvish become available? Will Darvish become available at all? These are the pressing questions.
And you'll get a different answer, depending on who you talk to. Via Ken Rosenthal:
Two sources with knowledge of the situation told FOXSports.com on Saturday that Darvish is likely to be posted after the winter meetings
But Darvish’s father, Farsad, told the Japanese news service Sponichi that the pitcher’s decision might not come until mid- to late-January, a time frame that could limit his appeal only to the wealthiest major league clubs.
Farsad Darvish also said that Yu currently is 50-50 with his decision
So Yu Darvish could be posted (A) very soon, (B) sometime next month, or (C) never. This is a tough one to figure out. It seems to be more likely than not that Darvish will be posted, but then it's the timing that's the issue. If Darvish isn't posted until January, he would have fewer suitors than he would if he were posted sooner, limiting his options and potentially driving up his posting fee. If that matters.
If Darvish is posted, Buster Olney says the Texas Rangers look like the favorites to get him. Getting him, however, would not be easy, as the Rangers would face a lot of competition from big spenders. And the Rangers could sign Mark Buehrle or C.J. Wilson instead.