Yuki Matsui (28, Rakuten Golden Eagles), a closing pitcher representing the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB), is expected to exercise his overseas free agency (FA) status.
Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi said, ‘Matsui, who has a total of 236 saves, is exercising his rights as an overseas free agent. “There is a high possibility that several clubs in Japan and the U.S. will try to recruit him, so it is expected to lead to a scramble,” he said. Matsui, who debuted in NPB in 2014, has only played for Rakuten. His career records include 501 games, 25 wins, 46 losses, 236 saves, and an earned run average of 2.40. He appeared in 59 games this season, recorded 2 wins, 3 losses, 39 saves, and an ERA of 1.57, and was named the NPB Pacific League relief king for the second consecutive year. As a left-handed pitcher, he throws a fast ball exceeding 150 km/h and his breaking ball is also top-notch. In particular, his high-speed forkball and slider combination is powerful.토토사이트
2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) winning member. Last April, he also became NPB’s youngest player to reach 200 career saves (9th in history). Attention was focused on whether overseas free agency rights would be exercised after the season. According to Sports Hochi, in last month’s game, officials from nine Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs, checked Matsui’s pitching. This month, I also visited Matsui with the San Diego Padres. As it is the team’s core bullpen, Rakuten also prepared a large contract worth a total of 1.6 billion yen (14.5 billion won) for 4 years and went all out for Matsui.