Japanese Baseball Stars Seek MLB Challenge Through Posting System
The landscape of Major League Baseball's offseason is set to gain significant international flavour as two more standout players from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball have officially entered the posting system. Infielder Kazuma Okamoto of the Yomiuri Giants and pitcher Kona Takahashi of the Seibu Lions are now available for MLB clubs to negotiate with, joining fellow countrymen Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai in this highly watched annual process.
Kazuma Okamoto: A Power-Hitting Infielder
At 29 years old, Kazuma Okamoto brings an impressive offensive resume to the table for interested MLB teams. The six-time All-Star had a stellar 2025 season with the Yomiuri Giants, posting a .327 batting average with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in just 69 games. His season was unfortunately interrupted by a left elbow injury sustained in a collision on May 6, which sidelined him until mid-August.
Over his 11-year career in Japan's Central League, Okamoto has established himself as a consistent power threat, compiling a .277 career average with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs. He led the league in home runs in 2020, 2021, and 2023, demonstrating his sustained power production. International baseball fans may remember his crucial home run off Colorado's Kyle Freeland that helped Japan secure a 3-2 victory over the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final.
Kona Takahashi: Durable Right-Handed Pitcher
Fellow posting entrant Kona Takahashi offers teams a reliable arm with extensive experience. The right-hander, who will turn 29 on February 3, posted an 8-9 record with a 3.04 ERA for the Seibu Lions this past season. Over 148 innings, he struck out 88 batters while walking 41.
Takahashi's 2025 campaign represented a bounce-back after a challenging 2024 season where he went 0-11 despite a respectable 3.87 ERA. Prior to that difficult year, he had compiled an impressive 22-16 record across the previous two seasons. With 11 seasons of experience with the Lions, Takahashi brings durability and consistency, evidenced by his career 73-77 record and 3.39 ERA in Japan's Pacific League.
Posting System Details and Timeline
Under the current posting agreement between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball, interested teams must consider the financial structure involved. The posting fee would be 20% of the first $25 million of any major league contract, including earned bonuses and options. This percentage decreases to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount exceeding $50 million. Additionally, a supplemental fee of 15% would apply to any earned bonuses, salary escalators, and exercised options.
The negotiation window for these players opened on Friday and will extend through different deadlines. Okamoto and Takahashi are available for signing through January 4, while Munetaka Murakami's 45-day window concludes earlier on December 22. Pitcher Tatsuya Imai remains available through January 2, giving MLB executives multiple opportunities to bolster their rosters with proven Japanese talent.
