In this file photo from May 21, 2010, Nippon Ham Fighters starter Yu Darvish pitches against the Yokohama BayStars during their baseball game in Sapporo, Japan.

The AL champion Texas Rangers have agreed to a contract with Darvish, Japan's top pitcher, at the end of their 30-day negotiating window. They bid a record $51.7 million just to talk to him.
 

AP photo/Kyodo News