Major League Baseball's free agency period opened earlier this week, allowing teams to pursue roster upgrades including players from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). The posting system gives NPB and CPBL players a 45-day negotiation window and KBO players a 30-day window, with posting fees based on contract value. The expected owner lockout on Dec. 1 will not pause the signing window for already posted NPB players.
Teruaki Sato (3B, Hanshin Tigers)
Japan's 2026 Triple Crown winner hit .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs. The aggressive hitter has a 66% contact rate, below the MLB average, and may move from third base to first base or corner outfield. He was posted on Nov. 1.
Kaima Taira (RHP, Seibu Lions)
Listed at 5-foot-8, Taira generates outlier extension and a low release point. He sits mid-90s with a four-seam fastball and features a cutter, sinker, sweeper, slider, changeup, and splitter. Used as a reliever in 2024-25 and a starter in 2026, he was posted on Nov. 1.
Hiroki Itoh (RHP, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters)
The 2025 Eiji Sawamura Award winner posted a 3.18 ERA in 172 ⅔ innings in 2026 after a 2.52 ERA in 196 ⅔ innings the previous year. The 5-foot-9 right-hander throws seven pitches, none considered a plus offering, and is seen as a back-end starter or reliever. Posted on Nov. 1.
Si-Hwan Roh (3B, Hanwha Eagles)
Roh, 26, signed an 11-year, $23 million KBO deal that includes an agreement to be posted this offseason. He batted .283/.360/.505 with 29 home runs in 2026, showing right-handed power but with swing-and-miss concerns. Posted on Nov. 1.
Kona Takahashi (RHP, Seibu Lions)
Takahashi, 30, returned to Japan after failing to agree on a contract last offseason and threw 148 innings with a 2.64 ERA. Now an international free agent, he sits 91-95 mph with a slider and splitter and is viewed as a potential innings-eater for the back of a rotation.
Jyun-Yue Tseng (RHP, CPBL)
Tseng saved 25 games with a 1.80 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 52 ⅓ innings for Chinese Taipei in 2026. His fastball reaches the mid-90s, and his breaking ball needs improvement for an MLB role beyond middle relief.
