Masahiro Tanaka to Start Meeting with MLB Teams This Week
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Rob Carr/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Let the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes begin.
According to ESPN, the prized Japanese ace and his agent Casey Close have arrived in the United States and will begin meeting with interested MLB teams this week.
The 25-year-old Tanaka went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last season with the Rakuten Golden Eagles. He is expected by many to be a top-of-the-line starter. Whichever team signs Tanaka will have to pay a $20 million posting fee to his old team.
League sources estimate Tanaka will earn a contract in the six-year, $100 million range. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers are expected to be among the MLB teams interested in his services.
Tanaka and Close have until a deadline of 5 p.m. ET Jan. 24 to have a contract and physical completed with a team.
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