Post by : Maya Rahman

Prominent Japanese baseball athletes Kazuma Okamoto and Kona Takahashi are now eligible for Major League Baseball teams via the posting system. MLB teams can sign both players starting Friday, with their posting windows open until January 4.

Joining them is Munetaka Murakami, whose 45-day posting window will close on December 22, and right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai, available through January 2. The influx of Japanese talents into the MLB market is capturing the interest of teams seeking both batting and pitching skills.

Kazuma Okamoto, at 29 years old, showcased an impressive season with the Yomiuri Giants in the Central League, boasting a .327 batting average alongside 15 home runs and 49 RBIs across 69 games. He faced a setback due to a left elbow injury from a collision with the Hanshin Tigers’ Takumu Nakano back in May. Nevertheless, Okamoto's return in mid-August saw him continue to demonstrate his impressive power-hitting abilities.

With six All-Star selections, Okamoto's career stats reflect a .277 batting average, totaling 248 home runs and 717 RBIs over 11 seasons in Japan’s professional leagues. He has led the Central League in home runs thrice, specifically in 2020, 2021, and 2023. A remarkable moment in his career includes his home run against Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final, contributing to Japan's triumph over the U.S. with a score of 3-2.

Kona Takahashi, who will celebrate his 29th birthday on February 3, is a right-handed pitcher from the Pacific League's Seibu Lions. In the 2025 season, he achieved an 8-9 win-loss record, featuring a 3.04 ERA with 88 strikeouts across 148 innings. This followed a challenging 2024 campaign where he struggled with a record of 0-11 and a 3.87 ERA. Throughout his 11-year career, Takahashi maintains a 73-77 record alongside a 3.39 ERA, showcasing consistent performance that positions him as a desirable option for teams in need of a dependable starter.

According to the MLB-Nippon Professional Baseball posting agreement, teams signing these players will incur a posting fee. The fee structure includes 20% of a player’s main league contract, including bonuses and options, for the first $25 million. The percentage decreases to 17.5% for the next $25 million, and amounts exceeding $50 million are charged at 15%. Additionally, there's a supplemental fee of 15% applicable to earned bonuses, salary escalators, and exercised options.

The current posting windows present MLB teams with a valuable opportunity to acquire proven players from Japan’s premier leagues. Okamoto brings offensive prowess and international experience, while Takahashi enhances pitching depth and reliability. Teams eager to fortify their rosters for 2026 will be keenly observing these two standout athletes, both of whom could significantly contribute in the major leagues.

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