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Report: Yu Darvish And The Rangers Are Not Close To A Deal

The Texas Rangers and free-agent pitcher Yu Darvish are not close to a deal, sources have told CBS Sports.

The Rangers reportedly would like to structure their deal in a similar manner to the $52 million contract that the Boston Red Sox gave Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007. According to CBS, however, Darvish’s camp believes that their pitcher deserves more than what his Japanese counterpart earned five years ago because he is younger and more talented.

The Rangers, who committed a $51.7 million posting fee in order to have the exclusive negotiating rights with Darvish, have until Jan. 18 to sign the young starting pitcher. If they cannot reach an agreement by that time, Darvish will return to the Nippon-Ham Fighters and the club will return the Rangers’ posting fee.