Why the Yankees, Cubs, Rangers & Blue Jays Are Right (& Wrong) for Yu Darvish

As we wait to find out who won the rights to negotiate for Yu Darvish, the picture about who put in the highest bid is becoming slightly clearer. It seems to be down to four teams: the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.

Darvish is the type of pitcher that can either be a huge boost or a $100 million bust for the team that signs him.

There are certainly reasons why Darvish fits with each team left in the bidding process. He would fit well in each spot, but there are also reasons why he might not work for each of these teams.

New York Yankees: Right

If there is one thing that the New York Yankees have been looking for all winter, it has been quality starting pitching. Yu Darvish is one of the best starters on the market. He would slot in well with the Yankees rotation.

The Yankees will have found the solution to their problems this winter in Darvish. He could be a very good number two behind C.C. Sabathia.

Darvish should have no problem being pushed into the bright spotlight of New York City. He was an other-worldly figure in Japan and he has been dealing with throngs of media his whole life.

New York Yankees: Wrong

Over the past few decades, the New York Yankees have brought in a few Japanese pitchers.

Hideki Irabu was able to do a decent job in the states, while the Yankees mercifully waited out the end of Kei Igawa's contract.

The team has had trouble getting Japanese pitchers to perform at the level that they expected of them. This could potentially be a problem and Darvish could turn into a very expensive number four starter for the Yankees. 

Chicago Cubs: Right

Theo Epstein is trying to build a winner in Chicago. To do that, he is going to need to build up the Cubs rotation and Yu Darvish could be a player that Epstein could build around.

With Albert Pujols and potentially Prince Fielder leaving the NL Central, pitching could be very important in the division.

Darvish would also give the Cubs the flexibility that they need to deal Matt Garza and bring in prospects that can help them rebuild.

Chicago Cubs: Wrong

The Chicago Cubs only won 71 games in 2011 and they lost one of their best players, Aramis Ramirez, to free agency. 2012 could be a tough season for the Cubs.

For the near future, the Cubs will be in a rebuilding mode. It does not make sense for the Cubs to go out and spend over $100 million on a pitcher that is a question mark.

They are already somewhat limited by Alfonso Soriano's bad contract and if Darvish is just an average pitcher in the MLB, they could be handcuffed by his deal as well.

Texas Rangers: Right

For the past two seasons, the Texas Rangers have lost their top starter to free agency. They have a very good team, but if they want to get back to the World Series, they need to bring in a top-of-the-rotation starter.

Yu Darvish could be that player. He has the potential to be an elite pitcher that the Rangers have locked down for years.

With the young pitchers and prospects that the Rangers have, Darvish could headline a strong rotation for years.

Texas Rangers: Wrong

Going to the best ballpark for offense in the major leagues might not be the ideal destination for Yu Darvish in his first year in the majors.

If Darvish gets knocked around during his first few starts at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington, then it could be a big blow to his confidence. That could have a big impact on his career in the the United States.

Toronto Blue Jays: Right

The Toronto Blue Jays have been trying for years to compete with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and more recently the Tampa Bay Rays. They have not been able to really contend.

Toronto has a good young core and adding Darvish to the mix would greatly increase their playoff chances. With the addition of the second wild-card spot, adding Darvish could allow the Blue Jays to sneak into that position in the near future.

Toronto Blue Jays: Wrong

The Toronto Blue Jays could be more than one acquisition away from the playoffs. Adding Darvish may push them closer to their goals, but he may not be enough.

This could potentially cause a problem for the Blue Jays, as they will already have one of the highest payrolls in team history if they sign Darvish. They could eventually break the $100 million mark following Darvish's acquisition.

It is possible that the Blue Jays will just be spending a lot of money to be a fourth place team.