Free-agent Tanaka to begin visits with interested teams

Mar. 11, 2009; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Japan pitcher
Masahiro Tanaka against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Masahiro Tanaka, the heralded Japanese free-agent right-hander, arrived in the United States to begin meeting with interested teams teams, several Japanese media outlets reported.

Tanaka’s itinerary has not been determined, but he is expected to meet with several West Coast teams. The Texas Rangers closely followed Tanaka during the last two seasons with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japan Pacific League and are considered to be interested in his services.

Tanaka has until Jan. 24, at 4 p.m., to strike a deal with a major-league team. If Tanaka has not reached an agreement by the deadline, he will return to Tohoku Rakuten for this season.

Tanaka, 25, is represented by Casey Close, whose clients include long-time New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti has contacted Close. He also represents Dodgers pitchers Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, the Cy Young winner from Highland Park.

“They’re in the feeling-out process,” Colletti told the newspaper. “They’re
trying to learn a lot about different cities, different markets,
different teams, how teams are constructed. It’s a big decision for
the player, too. We’ll continue and see where it goes.”

Tanaka, who went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last season for the
Rakuten Eagles, is expected to sign a contract worth more than $100
million. The team that signs him must also pay $20 million to Rakuten, the maximum
posting fee allowed under the new system.