Masahiro Tanaka, Japan's next heralded export to Major League Baseball, will move a step closer to playing in the United States on Thursday when teams can enter competition for his services.
Reports Wednesday indicated Tanaka had an agent in place. But the big news regarding the standout right-handed pitcher's future comes with word on the window for MLB teams to bid on his services.
The posting period begins Thursday and runs through Jan. 24, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Starting Thursday, teams interested in Tanaka must submit notice of a $20 million posting fee.
No money will be involved; the fee will be paid by the team that secures Tanaka's services once a contract is reached. The money goes to his Japanese team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball.
Tanaka's agent is Casey Close, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times via a Japanese website. Close represents Los Angeles Dodgers hurlers Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw; and New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter.
Expect a frenzy of interest from MLB teams. Tanaka is 25, coming off a season in which he was 24-0 with a 1.27 earned-run average, according to MLB.com. His team won Japan's baseball championship.
MLB teams should have a book on Tanaka. In addition to his 99-35 career record and 2.30 ERA, he was a star in the World Baseball Classic.
Rakuten decided to allow Tanaka to leave this week, pushing up his eligibility to play in the States by two years.
With Close as his agent, it appears Tanaka might favor the Dodgers or Yankees. Both teams have a track record with Japanese players.
MLB.com also notes the following teams with keen interest in him: Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers (who landed Japanese star Yu Davish two years ago), Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs. All 30 teams can bid for Tanaka's services.