Fukuoka Softbank Hawks infielder Nobuhiro Matsuda will exercise his right to file for international free agency and admitted on Monday that he wants to try his luck in the major leagues.
Matsuda, who is currently on Japan national team duty for the inaugural Premier 12 tournament, played a key role in helping the Hawks win their second consecutive Japan Series title this season, hitting a personal best 35 home runs and 94 RBIs. Matsuda has won three Golden Gloves at third base.
"One's life in baseball is short," he said in a statement released by the Hawks. "To avoid regrets I've made this decision out of a desire to learn what I am worth. This is the only chance I will have to find out whether or not I can compete in the majors."