ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are one of four teams that have made serious offers to Japanese free agent pitcher Junichi Tazawa, his manager told the Kyodo News in Japan.

Hideaki Okubo, manager of the Nippon Oil team that Tazawa pitches for, said the Braves, Red Sox and Mariners are also involved. Okubo said the Rangers have made the largest offer to Tazawa.

"Now that these offers are on the table, a conclusion will be reached in three or four days," Okubo said.

The Rangers, under the guidance of Pacific Rim scouting director Jim Colborn, have been trying to establish a firm foothold in the Asian market. But the Red Sox, according to reports, appear to be on the verge of landing the 22-year-old right-hander. Reports out of Japan say that Tazawa will announce early next week that he has chosen Boston.

Tazawa is the first Japanese amateur pitcher to attempt to avoid that country's draft and go right to the United States.