Kona Takahashi could return to Japan as MLB…
Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami are headed to the majors — but one of the remaining Japanese gamers negotiating with MLB groups won’t observe.
Right-handed pitcher Kona Takahashi, a longtime teammate of Imai with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Seibu Lions, is weighing a return to Japan for the 2026 season, according to MLB.com.
The soon-to-be 29-year-old’s posting window closes on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
Right-handed pitcher Kona Takahashi is reportedly weighing a return to Japan as his deadline to signal with an MLB staff approaches. Instagram/Kona Takahashi
Takahashi reportedly has at least one offer from an unidentified major league membership, but he could select a multiyear contract to return to Seibu — one that would come with an opt-out to explore MLB alternatives again in 2027, per the report.
Though he lacks Imai’s star billing, Takahashi has develop into one of NPB’s most dependable starters.
Takahashi’s longtime Seibu Lions teammate, Tatsuya Imai, agreed to a three-year contract with the Houston Astros on New Year’s Day. Getty Images
Last season, he went 8-9 with a 3.04 ERA in 24 outings, bouncing back from a tough 2024 in which he posted an 0-11 file with a 3.87 ERA across 15 begins.
From 2022-23, he was among the league’s best pitchers, going a mixed 22-16 with a 2.20 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 49 video games.
Takahashi has shown top-tier command — strolling just 6.7 % of hitters last yr and carrying a 3.3 walks per 9 innings mark for his profession — but he has never been a prolific strikeout arm, never exceeding 128 punchouts in a season.
Fellow countryman Munetaka Murakami signed a two-year deal with the White Sox practically two weeks in the past. Getty Images
In 2025, he struck out 88 hitters across 148 innings.
The market for Japanese gamers has not unfolded as anticipated this offseason; Murakami, a prolific slugger and Imai, arguably the NPB’s best arm, settled for short-term, opt-out heavy offers.
Imai agreed to a three-year deal price up to $63 million with the Astros on New Year’s Day, holding an opt-out after each season.
Much like Takahashi, Yomiuri Giants nook infielder Kazuma Okamoto must signal with a staff by Jan. 4. Getty Images
Murakami, who owns the NPB single-season file for most homers hit by a Japanese-born participant, inked a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox containing an opt-out after the first yr.
Another participant in search of to be part of the majors, Yomiuri Giants nook infielder Kazuma Okamoto, is also in talks with groups.
Okamoto, 29, has been one of NPB’s premier sluggers, swatting at least 27 homers from 2018 through 2024. Injuries restricted him in 2025, but he still slashed a strong .327/.416/.598 with 15 homers in 69 video games.
The Pirates, Cubs, Jays, Red Sox and Angels have all expressed curiosity in Okamoto, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported.
Okamoto and Takahashi share a Jan. 4 deadline to signal with a staff.
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