Three Japanese Pros Join MLB Posting
Infielder Teruaki Sato and pitchers Kaima Taira and Hiromi Itoh enter the market, joined by South Korea's Si-Hwan Roh.
By Christopher Singh ·
Three Japanese professional baseball players have entered the Major League Baseball posting system, opening a 45-day window for American teams to sign them as free agents. The period begins Monday and concludes on Dec. 16.
The group includes Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers, Kaima Taira of the Saitama Seibu Lions, and Hiromi Itoh of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Sato, a 27-year-old third baseman, won the Central League Triple Crown this year. He batted .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs. The Central League named him MVP in 2025, when he recorded a .277 average, 40 home runs, and 102 RBIs. Sato also played for Japan in this year's World Baseball Classic, going 3 for 10 with two RBIs.
Taira, who will turn 27 on Nov. 15, shifted back to the starting rotation this season. He compiled a 12-5 record and led the Japanese major leagues with a 1.36 earned run average. The right-hander recorded 31 saves in 2025.
Itoh, 29, won the Sawamura Award in 2025, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award. He finished the season with a 10-10 record, a 3.18 ERA, and 159 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings. Itoh helped Japan secure a gold medal at the 2021 Olympics by pitching five scoreless innings across three games. He also represented the Samurai at this year's World Baseball Classic.
South Korean infielder Si-Hwan Roh of the Hanwha Eagles is also entering the posting system. His 30-day window runs until Dec. 1. The 25-year-old right-handed hitter batted .283 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs this season.
Teams must submit bids by 5 p.m. EST on the final day of each posting period. The posting fee structure is tiered. It equals 20% of the first $25 million of a contract, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any amount over $50 million. A supplemental fee of 15% applies to earned bonuses, salary escalators, and exercised options.
MLB faces a potential lockout if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached by Dec. 1. During the 2021-2022 lockout, posted players were frozen, and signing windows resumed only after the agreement reached on March 10, 2022.
