Masahiro Tanaka | MLB Free Agency: Top Foreign Stars Who Could Be Next Offseason’s Yu Darvish | Bleacher Report

Age: 23

Position: RHP

2011 Stats: 19-5, 1.27 ERA, 241 Ks, 226.1 IP

The winner of the Sawamura award last season, Japan’s version of the Cy Young, Masahiro Tanaka actually had more wins and a better ERA than Yu Darvish last season while pitching the most complete games (14) the league had seen since 2005.

Still just 23, he already has five years of pro ball under his belt pitching for the Rakuten Golden Eagles and holds a 65-31, 2.61 ERA, 886 Ks, 930 IP career line.

He is the closest thing to Darvish the international market currently has to offer, and while there is no guarantee as to when or even if he will be posted, it would likely result in a big payday.

via Masahiro Tanaka | MLB Free Agency: Top Foreign Stars Who Could Be Next Offseason’s Yu Darvish | Bleacher Report.