Yuki Matsui To Explore Signing With MLB Teams

Star closer Yuki Matsui has reportedly expressed interest in joining Major League Baseball, according to a Yahoo Japan report. Matsui has exercised his international free agent rights and his rights to negotiate with other Nippon Professional Baseball clubs.

Despite being only 28 years old, Matsui has already spent 10 seasons with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, making him a full free agent. MLB teams can sign him without paying any additional posting fee to the Eagles. Additionally, his age and experience exempt him from MLB’s international bonus pool structure.

While the Eagles are reportedly offering Matsui a four-year contract worth $1.6 billion yen to remain with the team, Matsui has enlisted the services of agent Bryan Minniti from WME. This move suggests that Matsui is interested in exploring potential offers from Major League teams. Minniti, who had a long career in front office positions with the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Nationals, recently transitioned into player representation.

Matsui has already caught the attention of at least nine MLB clubs, including the Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, and Yankees. His young age and impressive track record in Nippon Professional Baseball and at the international level make him an enticing target for teams. Notably, Matsui was part of Japan’s championship team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

In his career with the Eagles, Matsui has recorded a 2.40 ERA and 236 saves in 501 games. He became the youngest player in league history to reach 200 saves and has primarily worked out of the bullpen. Matsui’s control has been somewhat inconsistent, evident in his 10.9% walk rate, but his 31.85% strikeout rate showcases his ability to generate swings and misses.

Matsui gained recognition through MLBTR’s NPB Players To Watch feature, where he was frequently highlighted throughout the 2023 season. He displayed his dominance with a 1.57 ERA over 57 1/3 innings for the Eagles while heavily relying on his splitter pitch, potentially to impress MLB evaluators.

However, Matsui’s limited role in the World Baseball Classic could be attributed to his reported difficulty throwing the larger WBC ball. This, along with his relatively small frame at 5’8″ and 167 pounds, may raise concerns among scouts about his long-term durability. Nevertheless, Matsui brings a fresh dynamic to the market of left-handed relievers this offseason, joining the likes of ace closer Josh Hader. He could be a valuable asset for teams in high-pressure situations, even if he is not strictly confined to the role of a traditional closer.