Koji Uehara (P, Yomiuri Giants): Of the current crop of upcoming free agents, Uehara is the most outspoken about his desire to play in MLB. I've profiled him and ranked him against Kawakami and Iwase.

Kenshin Kawakami (SP, Chunichi Dragons): Chunichi's top starter is also likely to bolt for MLB. Get a closer look at him here.

Hitoki Iwase (RP, Chunichi Dragons): The Dragons' veteran lefty closer is a free agent again this year. We'll see if he hangs around or decides to try his hand at MLB. I've profiled him here.

Tomohiro Nioka (SS, Yomiuri Giants): I'm not sure if Nioka will rack up the service time he needs to move internationally by the end of the season. He's gotten some negative publicity over his extra-marital flirtation with a TV newscaster this season, so the Giants may be ready to move on from him.

Masahiro Araki (2B, Chunichi Dragons): Araki has hinted at trying the free agent market, but I would be surprised if he signed elsewhere. Update Sept 9: Staying put.

Hirokazu Ibata (SS, Chunichi Dragons): Nikkei Sports reports that Ibata will remain with Chunichi and "has no interest in filing for free agency."

Ryoji Aikawa (C, Yokohama BayStars): I don't see him leaving Yokohama. Aikawa comments on his free agency: "when I joined the team I didn't think I could do this. I'll consider what to do after the season."

Tatsuhiko Kinjoh (CF, Yokohama BayStars): According to Sponichi, Kinjoh is not planning on declaring free agency and will stay with the BayStars, at least for another year.

Naoyuki Ohmura (CF, Softbank Hawks): Ohmura has stated publicly that he wants to try his hand at MLB. "I want to go," says Ohmura, "life is short and you only get one chance at it." Ohmura is a contact hitter with zero power. He can probably start for an NPB team that gets power from other positions, or be possibly be a 4th outfielder type in MLB. Think So Taguchi.

Norihiro Nakamura (3B, Chunichi Dragons): "Not interested in other teams" were his exact words. Has had two MLB flirtations and drama at Kintetsu/Orix before finally settling into a groove with Chunichi. I can't see him anywhere else.

Masafumi Hirai (RP, Chunichi Dragons): Qualified for free agency last year, but elected to sign a one year contract with Chunichi. Having a bad season. Kind of an MLB sleeper type.

Atsunori Inaba (OF, Nippon Ham Fighters): Inaba's contract is up, but he's unlikely to move. Inaba had looked to play in America when he originally qualified for free agency, but was only offered minor league contracts.

Daisuke Miura (SP, Yokohama BayStars): Miura is finishing up a six-year contract with Yokohama. Hanshin is already gearing up to make a play for him.

Kim Dong-Ju (3B, Doosan (Korea)): Orix is looking at Kim as their third baseman for next year. EastWindup Chronicle has his numbers and some analysis.

http://www.npbtracker.com/2009-npb-free-agents/

With the major contributions of Japenese players in MLB lately, I think it would be foolish to not take a look at players that could potentially cross the Pacific and play for the Red Sox, especially with the succes of Matsuzaka and Okajima. Uehara or Iwase could help the bullpen starting on day one.

I know he is not a free agent and will not be for some years to come, but I was wondering if there had been any recent talk about Yu Darvish and the possibility of his current team posting him this season for a colossal fee? Earlier, I had read some speculation that his being posted this off season was at least within the realm of possibility. That same speculation went on to note that his posting fee might approach $175 mil, significantly more than DiceK's due to the fact that he is not nearly as close to free agency. Really I'm just wondering if there have been any updates to his situation.

175mm POSTING FEE for the right to DISCUSS a contract... Come on now that's just insane. Even if we were in boom time, if you hadn't noticed there is a world wide recession imminent. Even assuming a 25 mm a year for 5 years deal (which is to say the least unlikely. That still makes him a 40mm a year pitcher. If he signed up for 10 years for 50mm (which he'd be insane to do so as someone is prepared to pay 175mm for talking rights) you're still talking about 22.5mm a year for 10 years. For a pitcher who has never pitched in the US.

From what I've read, there is a good chance he gets posted in the coming years, but this year seems unlikely.

Personally I think the good bullpen arms seem worth looking at given the success to price (plus the bonus of control if they work out as they go into arb- it's a good risk reward, 2 year deal if they work out you can control them for 4 more)

Nippon Professional Baseball and the players association agreed earlier this year to shorten the period required to work on the top team before testing the free agent waters in Japan to eight years from nine years.

Twenty-one players have gained eligibility for the first time under the new regulations.

A total number on the list in both overseas and domestic categories came to 83, including players who have regained eligibility or continue to hold the right for free agency.

Those who file for free agency during seven business days after the end of the Japan Series beginning Saturday will be allowed to negotiate a deal after their names are posted by the commissioner's office as free agents.

Japanese baseball website NPB Tracker reports that LHP Hitoki Iwase will decline to file for free agency and remain with the Chunichi Dragons.
The 34-year-old closer, who's considered among the best relievers in Japan and had a 2.94 ERA this season, opted against pursuing an MLB career last offseason as well.

Junichi Tazawa Starting pitcher Last updated: 10/30, 9:51 a.m. <h3 class="breakingNewsHed">Tazawa free to pursue career in MLB; Sox interested?</h3> Junichi Tazawa, a 22-year-old Japanese pitcher whose fastball reaches the mid-to-high 90s and who also throws a forkball and slider, was passed over by Japan's 12 professional teams in Thursday's amateur draft. He had told Japanese teams not to draft him so he could pursue a career playing in the United States. He has drawn interest from several major league teams, including the Red Sox, who scouted Tazawa when he pitched in his team to the national corporate league championship in Japan this season. Put this one in the "highly speculative" category for now. Kenshin Kawakami Starting pitcher Last updated: 10/27, 11:04 a.m. <h3 class="breakingNewsHed">Sox among several teams looking at Kawakami</h3> Kenshin Kawakami, a 33-year-old righthanded pitcher, is most likely going to make a jump to the major leagues for the 2009 season as a free agent. Sports Nippon is reporting that the Red Sox are one of the teams that is interested in his services. As an ace of the Chunichi Dragons, he went 9-5 with 2.30 ERA last season and also pitched in the Beijing Olympics for the Japanese team. His career record is 112-72 with 3.22 ERA in 257 games during his 11 seasons with the Dragons and he was a major contributor when the Dragons won Japan Series in 2007. Kawakami's best pitch is cut-fastball and is comparable to Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers.

Isn't that one of the general complaints that japanese pitchers have of the MLB ball, that it's slicker and harder to consistently get the best grip and best spin on compared to the NPB ball?

I know he is not a free agent and will not be for some years to come, but I was wondering if there had been any recent talk about Yu Darvish