Source: Jays make best offer

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League have until Tuesday to accept a bid from a major league team -- reportedly the Toronto Blue Jays -- for pitcher Yu Darvish.

Bidding for the posting fee closed Wednesday, and the U.S. commissioner's office said it will notify its Japanese counterpart of the amount of the highest bid, but not the identity of the MLB club that made the offer.

The New York Post reported that the Toronto Blue Jays made the highest offer, while the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are also believed to be in the mix.

The Post reported that the Blue Jays offered at least US$40 million and perhaps as much as $50 million for the rights to negotiate with Darvish.

The Ham Fighters have until 5 p.m. ET Tuesday to accept. If the bid is accepted, MLB will announce the team that won the rights, and that club will have 30 days to agree to a contract. The posting fee will be paid only if an agreement is reached with Darvish's agents, Arn Tellem and Don Nomura.

A 25-year-old right-hander, the six-foot-five Darvish is considered the best pitcher in the Japanese professional leagues. He was 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA and a league-leading 276 strikeouts last season.