Yokohama BayStars infielder Seiichi Uchikawa said Monday he will exercise his right to domestic free agency this coming offseason.
The 28-year-old All-Star met the requirements to become a free agent on Japanese shores this year.
Uchikawa said he is 50-50 on whether he will remain with the BayStars — the Central League doormat for the third year in a row — or ply his trade with another team.
"I have been thinking about declaring free agency. I haven't decided whether I will move yet, but I feel like I should at least hear what some other teams have to say. It's 50-50," Uchikawa said.
Uchikawa's decision will likely be affected by the outcome of negotiations between the parent company Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings Inc. and the potential new owner JS Group Corp.
"I want to hear how the organization is going to change once the parent company changes," Uchikawa said.
Uchikawa was drafted by Yokohama in the first round in 2001.
"I also want to see another world of baseball. If I find myself in a future position where I coach baseball, I think there would be some questions about my credentials if I've played with only one club — for that matter, the last-place club," he said.