Tsuyoshi Wada To Seek MLB Job

If you're not checking into NPB Tracker once in a while, you probably should. There isn't a better English language site around when it comes to covering Japanese baseball, and Patrick Newman is one of the best around. Today's post is a good example, as word comes from Newman that lefty pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada would like to make the jump to MLB next season now that he's reached the service time threshold to hit free agency.

Wada, 31, has been dominant for the Softbank Hawks this season in the NPB, posting a 1.80 ERA with 146 strikeouts and just 35 walks over 154 innings. According to Newman, he doesn't bring much heat, with a fastball that generally sits around 86-87 MPH, but he has strong secondary offerings in his slider and circle change.

According to Tim Dierkes of MLBTR, who spoke with Newman recently, Wada may be in line for something like a two-year, $8 million offer this winter. He likely won't be the biggest Japanese import on the market, though, with Hisashi Iwakuma and possibly Yu Darvish making the trip as well.