The winning bidder that will receive the rights to exclusively negotiate with Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka via the posting system will be revealed later this evening. Nishioka’s Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines have scheduled a Friday press conference to announce which Major League team has the winning bid, according to the Star Tribune’s Joe Christensen.

Yesterday, The Japan Times said that at least one Major League Club has made a bid ahead of the deadline to acquire the shortstop, but the team has not been made public.

So far we’ve heard the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres have expressed interest in Nishioka. Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman added that the Minnesota Twins are “very much in” on the infielder. It’s unclear if the Baltimore Orioles have made a bid or if they’re even interested.

Nishioka has been posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines and will be represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council in the United States. Nishioka who can play both shortstop and second base, led Japan’s Pacific League in hitting this year with a .346 average.