Takahiro Norimoto of the Rakuten Eagles. (Photo courtesy of the Rakuten Eagles)(Kyodo)
SENDAI (Kyodo) — Rakuten Eagles right-hander Takahiro Norimoto said Saturday he is filing for international free agency in a bid to get an offer from a Major League Baseball club.
The 34-year-old, whose seven-year contract with the Pacific League club expires this season, said he will also consider offers from Nippon Professional Baseball teams but will join an MLB club “if there’s a chance.”
“Given my age, there’s a high possibility that this will be my last time to declare free agency. I want to have no regrets with my baseball career,” he said.
Norimoto is 120-99 with 48 saves in 373 NPB games, logging a 3.12 ERA. He went 3-4 with 16 saves and had a 3.05 ERA this season after pitching in 56 games.