Dodgers News: Colletti Quiet About Possible Masahiro Tanaka Pursuit

The growing story of the off-season has been whether Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka would be headed to the United States or not to pitch in the majors.

The Dodgers have been rumored to be one of the teams interested in the starting pitcher all winter, despite any comments from those affiliated with the organization. According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Dodgers’ general manager Ned Colletti was noncommittal about the team’s plans if the 25-year-old sensation is posted.

Will the #Dodgers be in on Masahiro Tanaka if he is posted? Colletti: "I'm not going to discuss that yet."

— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) December 24, 2013

Hernandez also believes that Tanaka may be posted tomorrow or even tonight. The club has been quiet all winter about its’ intentions with the right-hander that may be posted in the coming weeks. Many have named the Dodgers as a frontrunner for Tanaka, but that has been due to their payroll, willingness to sign international talent and since he might have a preference of pitching on the west coast.

Tanaka was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last season for the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball league. In his career, he is 99-35 with a 2.30 ERA in seven seasons. The right-hander was expected to be posted this winter, but has been delayed due to the new posting agreement between the NPB and MLB. The two sides recently came to terms and the new agreement essentially makes the posting more like free agency rather than the bidding system. For Tanaka’s services, teams have to be willing to pay a $20 million posting fee in order to negotiate with the starting pitcher.

The Dodgers have already made a move for a starting pitcher this off-season with the signing of right-hander Dan Haren. He’s slotted behind Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, and as of now, followed by Josh Beckett. Analysts believe the Dodgers will go after Tanaka or put together a package for Rays’ left-hander David Price.

Until Tanaka is posted, the Dodgers will remain quiet and rumors will continue to grow.

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