I'm in agreement on years 3 and beyond.   Darvish will be worth the money, probably for two more years.  I'm also the guy with the Japanese, Twins-fan Mother-in-law who still wears her Kurt Suzuki Jersey, and would go ga-ga if Davish came here.  So, part of me wants him here for non-baseball reasons.

I agree three years for Yu is about the farthest I would go. But, and there is always a but, then there has to be an alternative. And I don't see one. They exist, for example a trade for someone like Archer, or signing a top end arm next year. But neither really seems plausible. The teams window is now. That is the only thing that makes me think Darvish at 5-6 years makes any sense at all. He should fill a spot when it's most needed. Five years from now, if Twins history and MLB history in general are any bell weather, Darvish and his dead contract will be a moot point. They won't have the talent to compete anyway. They will be back into full rebuild mode, and his money won't really make a difference. While I said I don't think a trade for an Archer type would happen, it would still be my preference. A Sano for Archer? Crazy? It could be if you thought that Sano would fulfill the prophecy and become the elite hitter he was projected to be. I wish he would, but I just can't see it. There's too many flags already, and I doubt we have saw the last of them.

I'd happily go 4 years on Darvish. It's the 5th and 6th years that make me nervous.

Appreciate the way you've stated your opinions on the matter.

mikelink, you are an idiot! You know nothing about baseball!  Just kidding.  I agree 100% that TD is a special site which allows cordial disagreement. Thank you to all the moderators and the owners who keep hotheads like me reigned in. I hope the Twins do sign Darvish because I believe this solves the Twins' biggest need thereby giving the Twins the best chance of utilizing the players currently on the roster in a way that will result in a World Series championship in 2018. Without Darvish, I believe the team will not be quite good enough. With Darvish, the Twins can compete with NYY and CI and HA and LAD...and can dominate the rest. 

I thank Yu for the most fun I have had in a long time.  So many comments, so many of you quoting me to argue and debate.   This is what the Hot Stove is supposed to me.

Thanks to all the postings, and to all the debates.