Rangers Cautiously Optimistic About Signing Yu Darvish Before Today's Deadline

The Texas Rangers are “cautiously optimistic” that the club will sign Japanese starter Yu Darvish before today’s 5 p.m. deadline, according to the Star-Telegram.

The Rangers front office and Darvish’s agents Arn Tellem and Don Nomura reportedly talked late into Tuesday night in negotiations for an agreement for the right-handed hurler. According to the Star-Telegram, team president Nolan Ryan was not a part of those meetings as he was out of town on a prior-engagement, but he is expected to return this morning.

Texas, who committed a $51.7 million posting fee in order to have the exclusive negotiating rights with Darvish, have had 30 days to sign the starter. If they cannot reach an agreement today at 5 p.m., Darvish will return to the Nippon-Ham Fighters and the club will return the Rangers’ posting fee.