Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along a Sponichi report that the Diamondbacks are preparing $80 million to acquire Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish.
According to Newman, it's unclear whether the amount consists solely of the posting fee or the posting fee and the contract that would be given to Darvish. The Red Sox set a record with a $51.1 million posting fee for exclusive negotiating rights with Daisuke Matsuzaka in November of 2006. He eventually signed a six-year, $52 million contract with the club. Darvish, 24, would attract plenty of interest in the event that he is posted, but some scouts doubt whether he will be a front line starter in the major leagues.