Dodgers Rumors: Masahiro Tanaka Chooses Agent, Timetable Set

Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will be posted by his team the Rakuten Eagles and made available to all major league teams willing to pay the $20 million release fee.

Among the interested teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers are seen as one of the favorites for his services as they could add another starter and have the deep pockets necessary to outbid other teams. While there have been reports that Tanaka wants to pitch on the west coast, the Dodgers are gaining another advantage as the 25-year-old picked a familiar agent according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:

Masahiro Tanaka has chosen Casey Close to be his agent, according to Sponichi. http://t.co/jkcDXkuS0w

— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) December 25, 2013

Close happens to represent two other Dodger pitchers, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Super agent Scott Boras reportedly sent a letter to the Eagles introducing himself, but it sounds like he’s gone another direction with his representation.

Meanwhile, Tanaka won’t be officially posted until tomorrow and according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the timetable has been set:

Source: Tanaka posting will begin Thursday morning and be completed by January 24 at 5:00 pm.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 25, 2013

While Dodgers GM Ned Colletti won’t let on as to the severity of the teams interest, the Dodgers are seen as a strong favorite along with the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and possibly the Arizona Diamondbacks. It isn’t known how many teams will pay the release fee to talk to Tanaka, but expect the majority of major league teams to pay the relatively small fee.

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ICYMI: The Dodgers and Chris Perez agreed to a one-year deal earlier this week