HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) Hiroshima Carp left-hander Ken Takahashi said Tuesday he plans to exercise his right to free agency and wants to ply his trade in the major leagues.

"It has been a wish of mine to play in America after qualifying for free agency," said Takahashi, who went 8-5 with Hiroshima this season.

"American baseball is a different world. I'd like to start off by getting one win over there. I'll need energy to challenge at my age but it is just a case of believing in myself," the 39-year-old said. "There aren't that many left-handers over there either and that would be a plus for me."