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MLB could reach deal on new posting system soon

Masahiro Tanaka

In this Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 photo, Rakuten Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka pitches against the Lotte Marines in the ninth inning on his way to helping the team to clinch the Pacific League title and advance into the team’s first Japan Series, in Sendai, northeastern Japan. Tanaka will be aiming to extend one of the most successful runs in the history of professional baseball when he takes the mound for the Rakuten Eagles in Game 1 of the Japan Series on Saturday, Oct. 26. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, CREDIT MANDATORY

AP

Major League Baseball and Japanese baseball officials have been negotiating the details to a new posting system throughout the off-season, which will have a big impact on the future of pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. Some suggested changes reported a few weeks ago included the winning team paying an average of the top two bids on a posted player and fining teams that bid for a player but fail to sign him.

David Waldstein of the New York Times tweets that the two sides could reach a deal soon as they have narrowed it down to three possible outcomes for the new posting system. The details of the three are as yet unknown. If and when a deal is struck, expect the rumor mill for Tanaka to heat up quickly. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports suggested last week that the Yankees, Cubs, and Dodgers are all expected to show interest while the Giants and Rangers could get invovled as well.

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