Hyun-Jin Ryu could end up pitching in Japan, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez.  A snip:

"Japan is a very viable option for him," said Scott Boras, who disputed the notion that his client doesn't have any leverage in his negotiations with the Dodgers.

... Boras and the Dodgers appear to be far apart in how they think Ryu should be compensated.

... Boras wants Ryu to be paid comparably to a No. 3 major league starter, similar to how Daisuke Matsuzaka was when he signed with the Boston Red Sox before the 2007 season.

And from a separate Los Angeles Times' article by Hernandez:

The Dodgers offered a long-term contract to South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin on Tuesday that was promptly rejected, General Manager Ned Colletti said.

... Boras, said his client should be compensated like a major league No. 3 starter. So, presumably, he’s looking for something in the $50-million range.

... But the idea of Ryu moving to Japan appears far fetched.

It's uncertain exactly how such a move would be made. A South Korean player has never moved to Japan before becoming a free agent. Ryu is under the Eagles' control for two more seasons.

... There is no posting system between the Japanese and South Korean leagues.  Theoretically, a Japanese team interested in Ryu could pay the Eagles for his rights. But it's doubtful a Japanese club would pay anything close to $25.7 million if Ryu only wants a one-year contract. In that case, the Eagles would probably hold on to Ryu for another season and post him again next year.

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The San Francisco Giants still have interested in Ichiro Suzuki.  From SFGate.com:

Bochy on Ichiro Suzuki: "He is a guy that we discussed last season, and of course he's been in our discussions at times this" offseason.

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The Houston Astros' interest in Hideki Matsui, from the Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith:

Porter and Luhnow are equally aware Houston needs a reliable bat. But the Astros' GM appeared to shoot down any real interest in Matsui after Porter brought Godzilla to the surface.

"It's one of many names," Luhnow said. "There's nothing specific that's been done on that."

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The latest on Kyuji Fujikawa, from MLB.com's Carrie Muskat:

The Cubs are expected to complete the agreement with Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa on Friday. The right-hander has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $9.5 million contract, which includes vesting options valued at $5.5 million or $6 million, to be determined by games finished.

The deal has not been finalized, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum has watched video of Fujikawa and likes what he's seen.

"He can fill any kind of role, he has that kind of stuff," Sveum said. "Those numbers and that ability to do things with three, four different pitches just doesn't come around very often. He can set up, he can close. He can do anything he wants with a baseball. He has four quality pitches and can add and subtract with his fastball. He can pitch in the seventh, pitch in the eighth, pitch in the ninth. He can get left-handers out and pitch in any type of situation." 

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The Oakland A's met with Hiroyuki Nakajima on Tuesday, according to Ken Rosenthal.

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Takashi Saito would like to play in the Majors next season.  Japan has not been ruled out.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/5/2012

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The latest on Tsuyoshi Wada, from the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly:

On the health front, Showalter said he believes outfielder Nolan Reimold (neck surgery), Brian Matusz (hernia surgery) and Tsuyoshi Wada (Tommy John surgery) are all recuperating well. Showalter said he believes Wada, who had surgery May 11, could be available before most originally expected, though he wouldn't predict a date. It usually takes a year or more to recover from the surgery.

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The Dodgers will hand out Hideo Nomo bobbleheads will be handed out to the first 50,000 fans on August 10.  Source: MLB.com 12/4/2012

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UPDATE 12/6 @ 12:18am -

The Milwaukee Brewers may be interested in Hideki Okajima.  Source: Sponichi 12/5/2012

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Japan is not an option for Hisanori Takahashi in 2013.  Source: Sponichi 12/5/2012

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The Baltimore Orioles could be interested in Kensuke Tanaka (as a utility infielder).  Source: Sponichi 12/5/2012

The Hanwha Eagles have reportedly agreed to post Hyun-Jin Ryu (25) to the Majors during the off-season.  If that does not work out for Ryu, he may turn his sights to the NPB.  If so, the Orix Buffaloes are said to be interested.

Source: Daily Sports 10/30/2012

See also:

Orix Buffaloes interested in KBO pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu

The Buffaloes are still interested in twenty-five-year-old pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Ryu is interested in playing in the Majors, but has also reportedly told the media in Korea that he would like to play in Japan first.  However, he has not earned his free agent option and will most likely have to be posted in order to play overseas.

"[Ryu] is a tough pitcher that can throw two-hundred innings.  We will continue to monitor his progress," said an unnamed Orix official.

Sponichi 10/15/2012

See also:

Orix Buffaloes interested in KBO pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu

The Orix Buffaloes are interested in twenty-five-year-old pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu.  There is also chance he could be posted from the KBO to the Majors.

The Buffaloes are also said to be looking into Ben Jukich.

Source: Nikkan Sports 9/20/2012

See also:

Nikkan Sports: Orix Buffaloes interested in Ben Jukich

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Career Stats

The Yomiuri Giants are apparently interested in Shuichi Murata and have begun looking into him as a possible option at third base.

The Giants tried a number of players at third base this year, including Rusty Ryal, Yoshiyuki Kamei, Shigeyuki Furuki, and Takayuki Terauchi, but none managed to really stick.

The Giants are also interested in a couple of KBO pitchers: Hanwha Giant 24-year-old LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu and 30-year-old Doosan Bear Dustin Nippert.

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Hyun-Jin Ryu Career Stats

Dustin Nippert 2011 KBO Stats