Hiroya 伊藤 (Kaito Ito) considers MLB move via posting system

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ace pitcher Kaito Ito has expressed his intention to challenge Major League Baseball (MLB) through the posting system this off-season. The 29-year-old, a former Sawamura Award winner, has communicated his desire to move to the United States through his agent, Joel Wolfe of Wasserman.

While the Nippon-Ham Fighters are expected to respect his decision, the club may offer multi-year contracts with opt-out clauses to encourage him to stay. Ito’s potential move faces uncertainty due to the upcoming expiration of the MLB collective bargaining agreement on December 1. A failure to reach a new agreement could lead to a lockout, potentially delaying negotiations and his transition to the U.S. until after January.

Reports indicate that the San Francisco Giants have shown strong interest in Ito as they look to bolster their starting rotation. He is mentioned alongside Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Hirata as key targets for the team. Ito recorded 10 wins and a 3.18 ERA this season, marking his sixth consecutive year meeting required innings pitched.