McClatchy news services
Yu Darvish is visiting Texas for the first time during a 30-day window – which began Dec. 20 – that the AL champion Rangers have to negotiate a contract with the Japanese pitcher.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed reports that Darvish was in the Dallas-Fort Worth area Tuesday. Daniels wouldn’t discuss the state of negotiations with Darvish or any plans for meetings during the visit by the 25-year-old right-hander.
“He felt it was appropriate to make the trip at this time,” the Rangers said.
The Rangers, who have won consecutive AL pennants, put in a record bid of about $51.7 million for the right to negotiate with Japan’s best pitcher. A 30-day negotiating window began when their bid was accepted Dec. 20 by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Pacific League. The Rangers pay the fee only if they sign the player.
The 6-foot-5 Darvish pitched in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was a member of the Japanese team that won the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Darvish, who turned pro in 2005 at age 18, has superb control and throws seven effective pitches.
Texas has lost its No. 1 pitcher in free agency after each of the past two World Series. Cliff Lee left after the 2010 season to return to Philadelphia, and left-hander C.J. Wilson agreed to a $77.5 million, five-year contract with the AL West rival Los Angeles Angels last month.
SHORT HOPS
Free agent center fielder Coco Crisp agreed to a two-year contract to return to the Athletics, filling one key void in the Oakland outfield heading into the 2012 season. A report says the deal is worth $14 million. The contract also includes a club option for 2014. … Reliever Robinson Tejeda agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and was invited to major league spring training. … A person familiar with the negotiations says infielder Greg Dobbs agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the Miami Marlins. … The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Reed Johnson agreed to a $1.15 million, one-year deal. The 35-year-old batted .309 with five homers and 28 RBI in 111 games for Chicago last season. … The Baltimore Orioles obtained outfielder Jai Miller from the Athletics in exchange for cash.
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