As MLB teams gear up for the next offseason, all eyes are on Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball stars Hiromi Itoh and Teruaki Sato. Rumor has it that both players might be hitting the free agent market soon, and that’s got scouts buzzing with excitement.
Hiromi Itoh, a right-handed pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, is making waves with his impressive stats. As he approaches his 29th birthday, Itoh boasts a 2.87 ERA, a 21.73% strikeout rate, and a 6.17% walk rate over 828 innings pitched from 2021-2025. He recently snagged the prestigious Sawamura Award, Japan's equivalent to the Cy Young, which isn't handed out lightly.
What makes Itoh particularly intriguing is his seven-pitch arsenal, headlined by a fastball that can touch 96 mph. His go-to pitches include a splitter and a sweeper, making him a fascinating prospect for MLB pitching coaches. While his strikeout rate might raise a few eyebrows, and his 5’9” stature isn’t typical for a pitcher, his durability and control have talent evaluators convinced he can handle MLB hitters.
Then there’s Teruaki Sato, the slugging third baseman/outfielder from the Hanshin Tigers. Fresh off his 27th birthday, Sato had a stellar 2025 season, hitting .277/.345/.579 with a career-high 40 home runs.
His performance earned him the Central League MVP and his fourth All-Star selection in five seasons. Sato’s defensive prowess is evident with a Gold Glove at third base, and his versatility in the field adds to his appeal for MLB teams.
Both players are still a few years away from achieving full free agency in Japan, so their teams would need to agree to post them earlier than usual. Sato’s case is particularly interesting since the Hanshin Tigers are known for being cautious about posting their players. However, with team successes like winning the Japan Series in 2023, Sato might have a case for testing the MLB waters sooner.
The MLB/NPB posting system gives a player 45 days to secure a deal with a Major League team once posted. If no agreement is reached, they return to their Japanese team but can be posted again later. The posting fee for the NPB team is tied to the size of the MLB contract, making it a lucrative decision for both player and team.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations might tweak the posting system, but for now, it remains a secondary issue. The potential for a lockout when the CBA expires on December 1 could complicate matters, potentially interrupting Itoh and Sato’s 45-day negotiation window. However, past experiences, like Seiya Suzuki’s successful transition to the Cubs despite a 99-day lockout, show that patience can pay off.
The current market for NPB talent will also weigh on their decisions. While Kazuma Okamoto’s deal with the Blue Jays met expectations, others like Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami had to settle for less. This might add a bit of pressure on Itoh and Sato to make a strong impression in the 2026 season if they aim for a lucrative MLB contract next winter.