MLB

Execs fear Tanaka deal could break bank for his new team

Eventually, the smart money is on the Yankees and Robinson Cano likely reaching a number in years and dollars the sides are comfortable with.

However, can the same be said of the team that wins the posting bid on Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka?

In the wake of the Royals dropping a four-year deal worth $32 million on lefty Jason Vargas Thursday, the industry is wondering how much it’s going to take to sign Tanaka whenever the posting process gets underway.

“That will be insane,’’ an AL talent evaluator said when asked what Tanaka could command from the team that wins the post.

Of course, Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball have to reach an agreement on the parameters of the posting process before it can begin.

Among the several negotiating topics is the Japanese clubs want to retain a percentage of the posting fee if the MLB club can’t sign the Japanese player. Under the former agreement that expired Nov. 1, if the MLB team didn’t sign the player, the MLB club got the entire posting fee back.

With the Giants supposedly cooling on going after Tanaka, the Rangers and Yankees appear to be the most interested teams.

It recently was believed a posting fee in the $60 million area would be followed by a five-year deal for another $60 million to sign Tanaka.

Now?

How can Tanaka, who will be the premier pitcher available after being posted, make just $4 million a year more than Vargas, who will be 31 in February and is 51-58 with a 4.30 ERA in eight big league seasons?

Vargas isn’t without pluses. From 2010 to 2012 he logged 611 innings. Last season he was limited to 150 frames in 24 games due to a blood clot. Still …

Friday, teams were questioning the Royals giving Vargas that deal and feared it would not only raise the price on Tanaka, but the remainder of the free agents.

“When you look at it, you can make a case that Phil Hughes should get a multi-year deal,’’ an AL decision maker said of the right-hander, who went 4-14 with a 5.19 ERA in 30 games (29 starts) for the Yankees last season and is a free agent.

While Hughes doesn’t figure in the Yankees’ plans, catcher Brian McCann, outfielders Shin Soo-Choo and Carlos Beltran do.

“Not only are the players looking for a lot of money, they are getting it,’’ an executive said.

The Giants have been very aggressive. Outfielder Hunter Pence’s five-year, $90 million pact has been referenced when Curtis Granderson’s name has surfaced. The Giants re-upped Tim Lincecum for two years and $35 million and signed Tim Hudson to a two-year deal worth $23 million, shortly after the right-hander had a pin removed from his right ankle.

The Phillies gave catcher Carlos Ruiz, 35 in January, a three-year contract worth $26 million and outfielder Marlon Byrd two years and $16 million.

Ruiz’s contract impacts the Yankees, who along with the Rangers are very interested in signing McCann. Some believe the 29-year-old and seven-time All-Star can command more than the five-year, $75 million deal Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, the best catcher in baseball, is working under. Others think McCann can get to the $100 million level.