Elite Japanese Closer Yuki Matsui to Hit Free Agency, Pursue MLB Contract
After a decade in Nippon Professional Baseball, left-handed pitcher Yuki Matsui is looking to make the move to MLB.
The Japanese closer is exercising his international free agent rights, according to a report from Yahoo Japan on Wednesday. Matsui, who turns 28 years old on Oct. 30, is not subject to the posting system thanks to his 10 years of service with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
So, unlike highly-coveted starting pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga, the Golden Eagles will not get a cut of the MLB contract Matsui eventually signs.
Matsui began his career as a starter at 18 years old, but he moved to the bullpen before the end of his rookie year. The southpaw boasts a 2.43 ERA, 1.107 WHIP, 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings and 236 saves since making his professional debut in 2014.
In April, Matsui became the youngest player in NPB history to reach 200 career saves.
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs were among the teams to watch Matsui pitch in September, per Yahoo Japan, while the San Diego Padres have visited in October.
Measuring in at 5-foot-8 with a fastball that sits between 91 and 93 miles per hour, Matsui does not fit the mold of a traditional American closer. He tossed 1.0 scoreless inning for Team Japan at the World Baseball Classic in March, but he reportedly struggled to adjust to the MLB ball during the tournament.
However, Matsui has earned high marks for his forkball and slider, easing some of the concerns about his fastball velocity. Matsui has also routinely been among NPB's leaders in strikeout percentage, and he just posted a career-best 5.9% walk percentage this season.
Matsui is represented by Brian Minniti of WME, who was previously an assistant general manager with the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals. Yakyu Cosmopolitan estimates that Matsui could garner a four-year deal that is worth up to $32 million.
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