"NEW YORK -- 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 from Friday through Jan. 4. They join power-hitting corner infielder Munetaka Murakami, whose 45-day window to sign expires Dec. 22, and right-hander Tatsuya Imai, who can sign through Jan. 2. Okamoto, 29, hit .327 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs in 69 games this year for the Central League's Yomiuri Giants."
"He injured his left elbow while trying to catch a throw at first base on May 6 when he collided with the Hanshin Tigers' Takumu Nakano, an injury that sidelined Okamoto until Aug. 16. A six-time All-Star, Okamoto has a .277 average with 248 homers and 717 RBIs in 11 Japanese big league seasons, leading the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023."
"Takahashi, a right-hander who turns 29 on Feb. 3, was 8-9 with a 3.04 ERA this year for the Pacific League's Seibu Lions, striking out 88 and walking 41 in 148 innings. he had gone 0-11 with a 3.87 ERA in 2024 after compiling a 22-16 record in the prior two seasons. Takahashi is 73-77 with a 3.39 ERA in 11 seasons with the Lions."
Kazuma Okamoto and Kona Takahashi are entering Major League Baseball's posting system and will be available for teams to sign from Friday through Jan. 4. Okamoto hit .327 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs in 69 games for the Yomiuri Giants, missed time after a left elbow collision on May 6, and returned Aug. 16. Okamoto is a six-time All-Star with a .277 career average, 248 homers and 717 RBIs in 11 seasons and led the Central League in homers in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Takahashi went 8-9 with a 3.04 ERA, 88 strikeouts and 41 walks in 148 innings this year and is 73-77 with a 3.39 ERA in 11 seasons. The MLB-NPB posting fee is 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, 15% above $50 million, plus a supplemental 15% on earned bonuses, escalators and exercised options.
Read at ESPN.com
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