TOKYO (AFP) — Japanese slugger Kosuke Fukudome announced his free agency Monday, becoming the latest Japanese player to fuel speculation of a move to the US Major Leagues.
"I've had a growing desire to hear how other people evaluate my performance. I had no choice but to announce" free agency, said the outfielder with the Chunichi Dragons, which just won the Japan Series title.
"I want to hear from everyone who might have positive views about my performance," he said.
The 30-year-old was the Central League's most valuable player in 2006. He was a member of Japan's teams at the Atlanta and Athens Olympics, and helped lead Japan to victory in last year's inaugural World Baseball Classic.
Fukudome is among several Japanese players seen as considering offers to move to the US Major Leagues, where a growing number of Japanese stars have made their mark.
News reports have said several Major League outfits, including the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, are expected to approach Fukudome, along with Japanese ball clubs offering lucrative deals.
Fukudome has not yet signed a Chunichi offer to keep him at his current pay at the club, where he has played since starting his professional career in 1999.
The Dragons, who on November 1 won the Japan Series for the first time in 53 years, have offered him a one-year contract for 385 million yen (3.5 million dollars) or a four-year, 1.7 billion yen deal.
Pitcher Hiroshi Kuroda announced last week he was leaving the Hiroshima Carp for free agency. He boasts a 103-89 career record in 11 seasons including a Central League best 1.85 ERA in 2006.
Teams reported to be eyeing the right-hander include the Seattle Mariners, home to compatriot and All-Star Most Valuable Player Ichiro Suzuki, along with the Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The priciest Japanese export to the Major Leagues has been pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who last year signed a six-year, 52 million-dollar contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Matsuzaka was not a free agent, meaning the Red Sox paid an additional 51.1 million dollars to his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, for the right to talk to him.
Matsuzaka became the first Japanese pitcher to open a World Series game. He won that game and his club went on to win the World Series.
Also Monday, Kazuhisa Ishii, 35, who pitched for the Dodgers and New York Mets from 2002 through 2005, filed documents for free agency, despite a new offer for the southpaw from his current club, Tokyo's Yakult Swallows.
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