The Seibu Lions notified the baseball commissioner's office Monday that the team will accept a bid made by a major league team for pitcher Shinji Mori.
The move will likely pave the way for the 31-year-old right-hander to pursue a career in the major leagues.
No details were disclosed, including the amount or the team that offered the highest bid via the so-called posting system.
The successful bidder will have 30 days to negotiate with Mori, who was named the best setup man in Japan's Pacific League in 2002 and 2003.
The Lions put up Mori for auction late last month through the posting system, in which major league teams present sealed bids for Japanese players and the successful bidder obtains the negotiating rights.
Mori drew at least one bid, according to baseball sources.
The Plain Dealer, a Cleveland newspaper, reported last Wednesday that the Cleveland Indians made a bid for him.