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68 players eligible for free agency
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TOKYO, Oct. 22 (20:19) Kyodo
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Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Fukudome and Hiroshima Carp
third baseman Takahiro Arai are among the 68 players eligible to
become free agents this year, the baseball commissioner's office said
Monday.
Fukudome is 29 days short of the service time needed for free
agency in Japanese baseball, but the 2006 Central League MVP gained
eligibility under a new rule aimed at bailing out injured players.
Fukudome had endoscopic surgery in Los Angeles in August to
remove bone fragments from his right elbow. Because of that, the
number of days he was on the active roster was reduced to 116 days in
his ninth season.
Fukudome, Arai and 15 other players met the free agency
requirements for the first time, including Chunichi closer Hitoki
Iwase, Seibu Lions outfielder Kazuhiro Wada and Lotte Marines closer
Masahide Kobayashi.
Hanshin Tigers veteran lefty Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi, Yokohama
BayStars right-hander Daisuke Miura and two others have regained
eligibility.
The 47 other players continue to hold the rights for free
agency, including Hiroshima right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, who said last
week he will declare his right to become a free agent with an eye on
moving to the major leagues.
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 with any teams, either in Japan or abroad, after
their names are posted by the commissioner's office as free agents. |
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