Overview
- ESPN's Jeff Passan reports the posting becomes official Friday, with negotiations starting Saturday and a Dec. 23 deadline before a return to Yakult for 2026 if no deal is reached.
- Industry expectation points to a nine-figure contract, with a tiered posting fee costing the signing team at least about $16.9 million under MLB rules.
- The two-time Central League MVP set NPB’s single-season record with 56 homers in 2022 and, despite an oblique injury limiting him to 69 games this year, still hit 24 home runs.
- Teams linked in reports include the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Mariners and Padres, while a FOX Sports analysis highlights the Mariners, Cubs and Yankees as top roster fits.
- Evaluators note swing-and-miss risk with six straight seasons of 115-plus strikeouts and ongoing debate over his long-term defensive home at third base versus first base or designated hitter.