Came across this link and thought it might be of interest

 

http://yakyubaka.com/2013/11/06/1162013-new-posting-system-agreement-delayed-rakutens-discussions-tanaka-also-pushed-back/

 

Sounds like the JPBPA is the only thing standing between MLB and NPB finalizing a similar agreement to the last one, where teams that win posting bids have bargaining exclusivity. But not clear if auctions would continue to be blind or open.

 

Is there hope for the Twins getting Tanaka yet?

• Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi 58m
  On MLB/NPB posting system, I continue to hear two things: An announcement will come this week, and changes will not be large in scale.
   
   
  

At last week’s general manager meetings, Pirates president Frank Coonelly got into a war of words with Yankees president Randy Levine when Coonelly suggested that the posting fee be counted against the luxury tax. That didn’t go over well with the large-market teams, many of whom are already up in arms at the amount of revenue sharing they have to pay out to the have-nots, if there is such a thing in major league baseball.

 

Levine countered that if the posting system were to be changed, so should the rules in acquiring Cuban players.

The players’ union has already informed MLB chief operating officer Ron Manfred that it’s not going to go along with the posting fee being held against the luxury tax. That, of course, would severely limit payrolls, even those of big-market teams such as the Yankees, who are trying to stay under the $189 million luxury tax threshhold.

 

 

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/17/red-sox-could-benefit-from-snag-japanese-posting-system/U1FrWM12FW8iXfvQ7bThcM/story.html

 

In order for the posting fee to count against luxury tax, MLB would have to re-open the CBA, so, doubtful.

It is enjoyable to see the Yankees brass loose their #$^% though. Even though it's unfeasable I'd like to see the Pirates keep bringing it up just to egg them on.