MLB Free Agency: Los Angeles Dodgers offer Masahiro Tanaka a contract

Jun 16, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers hat glove and sunglasses in the dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The January 24th deadline to sign Masahiro Tanaka is beginning to creep up on the teams who are hoping to bring him on board. Teams have visited with Tanaka when he was in the United States last week. He recently flew back home to Japan to be with his family.

Now his wife prefers the west coast, I’m guessing she would rather have warm weather all year round. He’s already received offers from the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and now the Los Angeles Dodgers according to MLB.com.

The Dodgers have been in talks with National League Cy Young award winning Clayton Kershaw and were able to sign him to a long-term extension. The contract that teams are offering him could range anywhere between six to seven years for $120-$135 million.

No word on what the Dodgers have offered Tanaka, but they were also interested in locking up infielder Hanley Ramirez long-term. Ramirez wants to remain a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the rest of his playing career. Both parties have mutual interest.

So now that the Dodgers have offered Tanaka a contract, will Hanley Ramirez have to wait another year to receive a long-term contract if they land the biggest pitching free agent on the market?

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