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In February 2011, Close announced he was leaving CAA. In April 2011, it was announced he would be starting and heading the baseball division of Excel Sports Management. In 2012, Close negotiated the largest contract for a pitcher at the time for Zack Greinke, worth $147 million over six years for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In December 2013, it was announced Close would represent Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.