MLB Free Agency: Sato, Taira, and Itoh Enter Posting System

Three Japanese players and one South Korean infielder entered Major League Baseball's posting system this week, making them eligible for team bids starting Monday. The availability of these free agents offers clubs a direct path to acquire talent without trading assets, though the timing overlaps with a potential labor dispute.

Infielder Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers is the marquee name in this group. The 27-year-old third baseman won the Central League Triple Crown in 2025 with a .306 batting average, 39 home runs, and 106 RBIs. He also captured the league MVP award the previous year. Sato will remain available for bidding until Dec. 16.

Right-hander Kaima Taira of the Saitama Seibu Lions and Hiromi Itoh of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters joined Sato in the pool. Taira, who turns 27 on Nov. 15, led the Japanese major leagues with a 1.36 ERA and went 12-5 this season. Itoh, 29, posted a 3.18 ERA and 159 strikeouts over 172.2 innings. Itoh previously helped Japan win an Olympic gold medal in 2021.

South Korean infielder Si-Hwan Roh of the Hanwha Eagles is the only non-Japanese player in this batch. The 25-year-old right-handed hitter batted .283 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs this season. His posting window is shorter than his Japanese counterparts, ending on Dec. 1.

The financial structure of these deals is governed by collective agreements between MLB, Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Korea Baseball Organization. Clubs must pay a posting fee calculated as a percentage of the initial contract value. The fee is 20% on the first $25 million, dropping to 17.5% on the next $25 million and 15% on amounts above $50 million.

A supplemental fee of 15% applies to earned bonuses, salary escalators, and exercised options. The deadline to finalize a signing is 5 p.m. EST on the final day of each player's posting period. Sato, Taira, and Itoh have until Dec. 16 to sign, while Roh's window closes on Dec. 1.

The timing of these signings coincides with the expiration of the MLB collective bargaining agreement on Dec. 1. A previous lockout in 2021 froze the posting process for Japanese players until a new deal was reached in March 2023. Current agreements suggest signing windows may continue or resume after any work stoppage, depending on final negotiations.