Orix Buffaloes Sawamura Award winner Chihiro Kaneko is expected to draw the spotlight this winter as he aims to make a move to the major league via the posting system.
Friday marked the period to begin procedures for those who have qualified as free agents. Kaneko is among 88 players who became eligible for domestic free agency after eight years of service in Japanese baseball, but the right-hander has expressed interest in taking his game to the majors.
Hanshin Tigers shortstop Takashi Toritani, who meets the qualification of nine years of service for unrestricted free agency, is expected to test the overseas free agent waters.
Yoshihisa Hirano (Orix), Yoshihisa Naruse (Chiba Lotte Marines) and catcher Ginjiro Sumitani (Seibu Lions) are among the domestic free agents. Naoki Miyanishi (Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters), who under the draft system adopted from 2007 for collegiate and corporate league players, will be the first applicant of a shortened seven-year term.
Those who wish to file for free agency must notify their clubs within seven business days following the Japan Series and this year's deadline is Nov. 11. Negotiations with other teams can begin two days later, after the players' names have been posted by the commissioner's office.