Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and pitcher Kona Takahashi are entering Major League Baseball’s posting system and will be available for teams to sign as free agents starting today through Jan. 4.
They join power-hitting cornerback Munetaka Murakami, whose 45-day signing period expires Dec. 22, and right-hander Tatsuya Imai, who can sign through Jan. 2.
Okamoto, 29, hit .327 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 69 games this year for the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League. He injured his left elbow while trying to catch a pitch at first base on May 6 when he collided with Takumu Nakano of the Hanshin Tigers, an injury that sidelined Okamoto until August 16.
A six-time All-Star, Okamoto has a .277 average with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs in 11 seasons in the Japanese League, leading the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He homered off Colorado’s Kyle Freeland to help Japan beat the United States 3-2 in the finals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Takahashi, a right-handed pitcher who turns 29 on Feb. 3, went 8-9 with a 3.04 ERA this year for the Seibu Lions of the Pacific League, striking out 88 and walking 41 in 148 innings.
The pitcher had gone 0-11 with a 3.87 ERA in 2024 after compiling a 22-16 record in the previous two seasons.
Takahashi has a 73-77 record with a 3.39 ERA in 11 seasons with the Lions.
Under MLB’s publishing agreement with Nippon Professional Baseball, the publishing fee would be 20% of the first $25 million of a major league contract, including earned bonuses and options.
The percentage reduces to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50 million. There would be a supplemental fee of 15% of any bonuses earned, salary increases and options exercised.— AP