Japanese reliever Takahiro Norimoto gets MLB offer as longtime Rakuten Eagles closer considers United States move

Takahiro Norimoto may soon take the biggest step of his baseball life. On Tuesday night, January 7, 2026, MLB reporter Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that Takahiro Norimoto has received a contract offer from a Major League Baseball team. The 35-year-old Japanese pitcher is now deciding if he wants to leave Japan and try MLB.

Right now, Takahiro Norimoto is not fully committed. He is also listening to offers from teams in Nippon Professional Baseball. People close to the situation say a decision is expected in the next few days as he weighs his future carefully.

Takahiro Norimoto weighing MLB offer after long career with Rakuten Eagles

Takahiro Norimoto has spent his entire professional career in Japan. He has played 13 seasons with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. For most of his career, he worked as a starting pitcher.

But over the last two years, he moved into the closer role, pitching the final innings in tight games. In the 2025 NPB season, Takahiro Norimoto posted a 3.02 earned run average across 56 and two-thirds innings.

In 2024, he finished with a 3.46 ERA. Over the past two seasons as closer, he converted 48 of 53 save chances. Those numbers helped him stay on the radar of MLB scouts.

Mark Feinsand wrote on MLB.com, “Norimoto has received interest from a major league club and is seriously considering whether now is the right time to make the move.” People around the league believe the offer is likely a one-year deal.

Takahiro Norimoto does not rely on speed. According to FanGraphs, his fastball usually sits around 92 miles per hour.

His best pitch is a splitter that drops late and fools hitters. Scouts say he profiles more as a middle reliever or bullpen depth arm if he comes to MLB.



Last season, Takahiro Norimoto struck out 17.2 percent of batters while walking 8.4 percent. He has not crossed the 20 percent strikeout mark in the last four years.

Still, teams value his control, experience, and calm presence on the mound. Takahiro Norimoto entered free agency this winter after earning more than nine years of service time in Japan.

That gives him full freedom to sign with any NPB team or any foreign club. If he joins MLB, no posting fee would be owed to the Rakuten Eagles.

Many insiders believe MLB interest could also help Takahiro Norimoto push for a stronger deal back home. Japan teams are known to pay veteran closers well, especially those with long service records.

A source familiar with the talks told Japanese media this week, “Takahiro Norimoto is taking his time. He wants to talk with his family and understand what life in the United States would really mean.”

For now, Takahiro Norimoto continues to train in Japan while fielding calls. Whether he chooses a new chapter in MLB or stays in familiar surroundings, his decision is expected soon.

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