Masahiro Tanaka is coming off a another fantastic season for the Rakuten Golden Eagles in the Nippon Pro Baseball league, and could command an excess of $150 million on the free agent market.

He met with several teams that include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Tanaka and agent Casey Close chose a January 25th deadline on making a decision on what team the Japanese pitcher will sign with this coming season, and while the Angels were once in the running, it appears the Dodgers, Yankees, and possibly the Mariners, are still in serious talks.

Angels general manager Jerry DiPoto told reporters that no meeting took place with Tanaka, however would not confirm if the Angels were in or out of the bidding war.

One team campaigning heavily for Tanaka’s services is said to be the Dodgers. Team president Stan Kasten and general manager Ned Colletti indicated they were making progress with the Japanese hurler and his representatives. They also have vowed to not be outbid in the negotiations for Tanaka.

The Dodgers could truly use another ace in their rotation, and acquiring Tanaka could put them over the hump and into the 2014 World Series.

Tanaka has improved every year in Japan since his debut in 2007, in every category. In 2012 finished with a 10-4 record and an 1.87 ERA. In 2013 he finished with an astonishing 24-0 record and lowered his ERA to 1.27. He also finished with a record 0.93 WHIP, and figures to be in the prime of his career.

Reports indicate Tanaka’s wife desires to be on the West Coast for the length of their stay in the United States. Being in the number two market, in a pitchers ballpark under sunny skies, and wearing Dodger blue seems to favor the Guggenheim Group right now.

However the Yankees can not be completely counted out, being the largest U.S. market and having tradition and popularity on their side. Tanaka could fit pinstripes very well alongside C.C. Sebathia and fellow Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

The Dodgers’ pockets are a little deeper than the Yankees right now even after inking ace Clayton Kershaw to a 7-year, $215 million extension Tuesday.

If the Dodgers land Tanaka, he would join the line up of Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun Jin Ryu, and Dan Haren. That line up would be one of the most feared rotations in baseball.

However if no deal is posted by the set deadline, Tanaka will return to Rakuten and pitch one more season, before trying the MLB process again next year.