Kazuma Okamoto and Kona Takahashi Enter MLB Posting System

Two top Japanese baseball stars, infielder Kazuma Okamoto and pitcher Kona Takahashi, are now available for Major League Baseball teams through the posting system. Both players can be signed by MLB teams starting Friday, and their posting windows will last until January 4.

They join Munetaka Murakami, the power-hitting corner infielder whose 45-day posting window ends on December 22, and right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai, available to MLB teams through January 2. These players are part of a growing list of Japanese talents entering the MLB market, attracting attention from teams looking for both hitting and pitching strength.

Kazuma Okamoto, 29, had a strong season in the Central League for the Yomiuri Giants. He hit .327 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 69 games, despite missing over three months due to a left elbow injury suffered in May when he collided with Hanshin Tigers’ Takumu Nakano while trying to catch a throw at first base. Okamoto returned to the field in mid-August and continued to show his power at the plate.

A six-time All-Star, Okamoto has an impressive career batting average of .277, with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs in 11 seasons in Japan’s professional leagues. He has led the Central League in home runs three times, in 2020, 2021, and 2023. One of his notable highlights came in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final when he homered off Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland to help Japan defeat the U.S. 3-2.

Kona Takahashi, who will turn 29 on February 3, is a right-handed pitcher for the Pacific League’s Seibu Lions. In 2025, he posted an 8-9 record with a 3.04 ERA, striking out 88 batters while walking 41 in 148 innings. This follows a challenging 2024 season when he went 0-11 with a 3.87 ERA. In his 11-year career, Takahashi has a 73-77 record with a 3.39 ERA. His consistent pitching and experience make him a strong candidate for teams seeking a reliable starter.

Under the MLB-Nippon Professional Baseball posting agreement, teams that sign these players will pay a posting fee. The fee is 20% of the first $25 million of the player’s major league contract, including any earned bonuses and options. For the next $25 million, the percentage drops to 17.5%, and any amount over $50 million is charged at 15%. There is also a supplemental fee of 15% for earned bonuses, salary escalators, and exercised options.

These posting windows provide MLB teams a unique chance to sign proven players from Japan’s top leagues. Okamoto offers offensive firepower and international experience, while Takahashi provides pitching depth and consistency. Teams looking to strengthen their rosters in 2026 will closely monitor these two stars, who could make an immediate impact in the major leagues.