ESPN.com · Nov 25, 2025
Breaking down the top Japanese free agents coming to MLB
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The 2025-26 offseason has yet another strong crop of Japanese players that are available in free agency -- after having been posted by their respective Nippon Professional Baseball clubs -- and are set to play in Major League Baseball next season.
Three main players are drawing the most attention from MLB teams: right-handed starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai and infielders Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto.
Let's break down what to expect from each in 2026 and which teams could sign them.
Tatsuya Imai, RHP