Hot Stove roundup: Tanaka a hot commodity
Benoit finalizes two-year deal with Padres, bolstering San Diego's bullpen
These days, the Hot Stove is all about Masahiro Tanaka.
Now officially the hottest commodity on the market after being posted by his Japanese club, the Rakuten Golden Eagles, Tanaka "finds himself in the perfect storm," as Major League clubs vie for his services, writes our Tracy Ringolsby. With the posting fee -- which goes to the Eagles -- now capped at $20 million, Tanaka is sure to make more money than other recent Japanese exports.
One of the clubs that appears set to offer Tanaka big bucks is the Yankees, who already have reached out to the 25-year-old's representatives.
In other news from around the league on Saturday:
• The Padres announced their two-year contract with reliever Joaquin Benoit, with the veteran righty set to earn a guaranteed $15.5 million in the deal, which also includes an option for 2016. General manager Josh Byrnes also said the club will try to add one or two more relievers this offseason.
• Mark Mulder is reportedly focusing on the West Coast as he tries to make a comeback after an injury-induced five-year absence from the Major Leagues.
• The Royals signed infielder Jason Donald and outfielder Melky Mesa to Minor League deals.