Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters outfielder Daikan Yoh said Monday he will hit the free-agent market after holding talks with the Japan Series champions.
The 29-year-old Yoh had said after the Series that he wanted to remain with the only team he has known over his 11-year career, but that he also wanted to talk to the Fighters about their future plans.
Yoh was Nippon Ham's first-round draft pick out of high school in 2006. He won a Golden Glove Award three straight years from 2012 and led the Pacific League in stolen bases in 2013.
Yoh, who batted .293 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs this season for the PL champions, will be eligible to begin negotiations with other teams from Friday.
"We became the best team in the country and there's still a lot more I want to accomplish with the Fighters," Yoh said. "But they're moving forward with a core of young players.
"I worked 11 years for my (free agency) rights. God knows how many years I've got left in my career and I spent the past week thinking about it, believing that I can still become a better player.
"I made my decision yesterday. It's in the best interests of me, my family and the ballclub."
