Japanese pitcher Kona Takahashi, posted for MLB free agency by the Saitama Seibu Lions, might opt to return to Nippon Professional Baseball instead of signing in the majors. While teammate Tatsuya Imai joined the Houston Astros, Takahashi's negotiating window closes soon with only one known offer. A return to Seibu could position him better for unrestricted free agency next year.
Kona Takahashi and Tatsuya Imai, teammates on the Saitama Seibu Lions from 2018 to 2025, both entered MLB free agency this winter through the posting system. Imai secured a spot with the Houston Astros, but Takahashi faces a different path as his negotiating period ends on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET. According to a source, the 28-year-old right-hander has at least one Major League offer, yet it may not convince him to leave Japan this offseason.
Instead, Takahashi could sign a multi-year deal with Seibu, including opt-out clauses that would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2026, bypassing the posting process. This scenario seems realistic barring a last-minute bid from a prominent MLB team. At that point, a strong 2026 season in NPB could boost his value significantly.
Takahashi, who turns 29 on February 3, excelled with the Lions from 2022 to 2023, posting a 2.20 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 330 2/3 innings. His performance dipped in 2024 with a 0-11 record, 3.87 ERA, and 1.45 WHIP in just 81 1/3 innings. He rebounded in 2025 with a 3.04 ERA across 148 innings.
Known for command rather than strikeouts, Takahashi had a 6.7% walk rate last season but struck out only 88 batters for a 14.3% rate. Over 11 NPB seasons, his strikeout percentage never exceeded 20%, compared to the MLB average of 22.2% last year. This profile might limit his immediate appeal in the majors.
