What is the Posting System?

The posting system is the formal NPB–MLB pact that lets NPB players move to MLB before reaching free agency. Once an NPB club 'posts' a player, all 30 MLB clubs can negotiate.

Release fees scale with contract value: 20% of the first $25M, 17.5% on the next $25M, and 15% above $50M for major-league deals. Minor-league deals use a separate calculation.

The exclusive negotiating window is 45 days. If no deal closes, the player returns to NPB. Most postings happen between December 5 and mid-January, though earlier post-season postings occur.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 12-year $325M deal in 2024 sent roughly $50M back to Orix. Shota Imanaga and Kodai Senga came over via the same channel.

→ Related: International Bonus Pool / Free agency / Contract value