Major League Baseball’s free agency period began earlier this week, allowing teams to pursue any roster improvements they see fit. This also includes players from overseas top leagues such as Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), South Korea’s Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), all of which have produced many standout MLB players over time.
The Los Angeles serve as a prime example of how impactful international talent can be. Last season, the featured four former NPB and KBO players, including the two-way star Shohei Ohtani, ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and starting pitcher Roki Sasaki. Ohtani was signed as a free agent, while Yamamoto and Sasaki joined via the posting system.
According to the MLB posting agreement, players from NPB and CPBL have 45 days to negotiate and sign with MLB teams after being posted, while players from the KBO get 30 days. If they don’t reach a deal within this window, they return to their original team. When a player is signed, the MLB team must pay a posting fee to the player’s former club in NPB, CPBL, or KBO.
Posting fees are structured as follows:
| Contract Value | Posting Fee |
|---|---|
| $25 million or less | 20% of contract value |
| $25 million to $50 million | $5 million plus 17.5% of amount above $25 million |
| $50 million or more | $9.375 million plus 15% of amount above $50 million |
For example, when the Chicago White Sox signed Munetaka Murakami last offseason to a $34 million contract, they paid the Yakult Swallows $6.575 million. This breaks down to $5 million on the first $25 million, plus 17.5% on the additional $9 million (which is $1.575 million).
Unlike during the previous lockout period, MLB does not plan to pause the signing window amid the anticipated lockout, as reported by The Athletic. Therefore, if a lockout starts on December 1 as expected, that date will effectively become the deadline for players already posted by NPB teams, unless the lockout finishes before their 45-day negotiation period ends.
This offseason does not feature superstar talents comparable to Ohtani or Yamamoto but does present some intriguing players poised to improve MLB teams in 2027. Here are six top players from the NPB, CPBL, and KBO to watch this offseason:
3B Teruaki Sato
2026’s Japanese Triple Crown winner, Sato posted a .306/.383/.609 batting line with 39 home runs. While he shares similarities with Murakami, he is more aggressive at the plate with a below-average contact rate and may eventually shift from third base to first base or a corner outfield position. Despite these risks, his power makes him a valuable prospect. The Hanshin Tigers officially posted Sato on November 1.RHP Kaima Taira
Ranked 19th among free agents, this 5-foot-8 right-hander has an exceptionally long extension on his pitching arm, creating a unique release point that can deceive batters. He throws mid-90s fastballs along with a diverse arsenal including cutters, sinkers, sliders, and splitters. Primarily a reliever in 2024-2025, he transitioned to starting in 2026 and performed well. While he may begin as a starter in MLB, he might ultimately serve as a reliever. Taira was posted on November 1.RHP Hiroki Itoh
Itoh, ranked 26th, won Japan’s Cy Young equivalent (Eiji Sawamura Award) in 2025 but had a slightly down season in 2026 with a 3.18 ERA over 172 ⅔ innings. The 5-foot-9 pitcher throws a low-90s fastball and a variety of secondary pitches, none dominating individually. Seen as a crafty backend starter or potential reliever, Itoh was posted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on November 1.3B Si-Hwan Roh
Roh signed the richest deal in KBO history with the Hanwha Eagles, including a clause allowing him to be posted for MLB teams this offseason while committing to finish his career in Korea. In 2026, Roh hit .283/.360/.505 with 29 home runs, showcasing solid power and plate discipline, though his defensive skills and strikeout tendency raise some concerns. The Eagles posted him on November 1.RHP Kona Takahashi
Unranked but notable, Takahashi was posted last offseason but returned to Japan after failing to secure a satisfactory deal. He delivered a strong 2.64 ERA over 148 innings in 2026. Now an international free agent, he can negotiate freely without going through the posting system. Takahashi is known for his ground-ball inducing style and multiple effective pitches, making him a potential innings-eater in a back-end MLB rotation.RHP Jyun-Yue Tseng
Also unranked, Tseng is a dominant reliever in the CPBL who saved 25 games with a 1.80 ERA and 65 strikeouts in just over 52 innings in 2026. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, once reaching 100 mph, complemented by a breaking ball that needs refinement if he is to establish himself beyond a middle reliever role in MLB. Tseng is expected to attract interest from clubs like the Athletics and Mariners.
Fan Take:
This international free agency period highlights MLB’s ongoing global talent pipeline, underscoring how impactful players from Asia can be in shaping team rosters. As MLB continues to embrace international stars, these signings could redefine player valuations and enrich the game with new styles and skills, ultimately benefiting baseball fans worldwide.
Source: www.cbssports.com
