Sponichi is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays are interested in 30-year-old Kensuke Tanaka.

Tanaka he did sign a 3-year deal with the Nippon Ham Fighters before the 2011 season, but his contact contains a clause that allows him some flexibility if he decides he wants to play in the Majors (he still needs to get permission from the team).

Sponichi also mentions that at least 5 teams (including the San Francisco Giants) have been interested in Tanaka with the Rays being the most active -- Rays' international scout Tateki Uchibori has been tracking Tanaka and caught both a Phoenix League game and Saturday's First Stage Climax Series game against the Seibu Lions.

Concerning his FA requirement, Tanaka is currently at 8 years and 143 days and is 2 days short of 9 years (one year = 145 days).  Since Tanaka missed a significant amount of time due to injury (he was on the active roster for only 70 days this year), the Fighters have the option of awarding him with up to 60 days of active service time.

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