The Rangers signed Yu Darvish to a six year deal for a guaranteed total of $111.7 million, with $51.7 million going to the Nippon Ham Fighters, and $56 million earmarked for Darvish.  The deal equates to $18.6 million in average annual value, and the total investment appears to be more attractive than what re-signing C.J. Wilson would have required.

The Angels signed Wilson to a five year contract in December worth $15.5 million in AAV. While the Rangers will spend $3 million more overall, there are other things to consider.  At the age of 25, Darvish is uniquely young for a free agent.  Wilson, on the other hand, is 31.

I wrote in December that the Rangers that the total amount paid for Darvish is less than meets the eye.

Basically, Darvish will help the Rangers generate tens of millions in sponsorship dollars in Asia, and that the Rangers will be able to write off the posting fee as an administrative expense.