Masahiro Tanaka figures to be one of the most intriguing NPB exports if the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles decide to post the star right-hander after the season.
It's widely believed Tanaka will request to make the move to the major leagues, and that Rakuten will acquiesce, but there is a slight possibility there won't be a posting system for him to use this year.
Negotiations concerning changes to the system have been ongoing since last year, but Sports Nippon is reporting that because the MLB's focus has been so tied up in its ongoing drug scandal, a new agreement might not be in place in time for the 2013 offseason. The paper says the talks have been positive.