Overview
- First baseman Kazuma Okamoto and right‑hander Kona Takahashi have been posted, with negotiation windows that end Jan. 4 at 5 p.m., according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
- Right‑hander Tatsuya Imai was posted with a window expected to close Jan. 2 after a 2025 NPB season featuring a 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 178 strikeouts in 163.2 innings.
- MLB evaluators slot Imai among the top four or five starters available this winter and expect a major commitment, with some estimates projecting a deal approaching $150 million including posting costs.
- Munetaka Murakami is viewed as a nine‑figure target with a posting fee in the roughly $20–25 million range, while a social‑media photo of Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto dining with Murakami has fueled speculation of Los Angeles interest.
- Analysts describe Okamoto as a polished corner bat and Takahashi as a flexible rotation or bullpen option, with teams such as the Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays and Giants frequently cited as potential suitors.