MLB sets Dec. 1 deadline for Japanese stars to sign before potential lockout
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MLB sets Dec. 1 deadline for Japanese stars to sign before potential lockout
Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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2 min read
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Major League Baseball has angered the Major League Baseball Players Association and agents by informing them that will they not amend the posting agreement with Nippon Professional Baseball, requiring Japanese free agents to sign by the expected Dec. 1 lockout or they would be ineligible to sign with an MLB team in 2027.
The union sent a memo to agents last week, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, that said MLB on Tuesday denied their request, which was made in August, to extend the tolling period in the NPB posting agreement allowing posted players to sign after the lockout ended. This is in direct contrast to the 99-day lockout in 2021 when MLB amended the 45-day negotiating window, and allowed Japanese free agents to sign after the lockout.
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MLB confirmed Monday it is not amending its posting agreement.
The MLBPA said it is exploring its options, but informed agents last week to be prepared for a strict deadline for posted players.
Due to the team's heavy use use of deferred contracts, MLB's Labor Relations Department's present-day salary calculations has the Mets at No. 1.
(Payrolls entering postseason)
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
30) Cleveland Guardians— $74. 2 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
29) Miami Marlins— $83 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
28) Washington Nationals— $90.3 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
27) St. Louis Cardinals— $94.7 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
26) Chicago White Sox— $98 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
25) Tampa Bay Rays— $98.3 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
24) Athletics— $98.7 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
23) Pittsburgh Pirates— $107.6 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
22) Minnesota Twins— $109.5 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
21) Colorado Rockies— $117 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
20) Cincinnati Reds— $128.3 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
19) Milwaukee Brewers— $143.5 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
18) Kansas City Royals— $149.8 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
17) Baltimore Orioles— $169.2 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
16) Seattle Mariners— $170.5 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
15) Los Angeles Angels— $179.8 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
14) Texas Rangers— $192.5 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
13) Arizona Diamondbacks— $192.8 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
12) San Francisco Giants— $197.6 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
11) Detroit Tigers— $202.1 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
10) Boston Red Sox— $210.2 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
9) San Diego Padres— $223.9 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
8) Chicago Cubs— $248.8 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
7) Houston Astros— $249.5 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
6) Atlanta Braves— $263.9 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
5) Toronto Blue Jays— $275.4 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
4) Philadelphia Phillies— $291.7 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
3) New York Yankees— $305.6 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
2) Los Angeles Dodgers— $338 million
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MLB payroll rankings 2026 from lowest to highest: Where are Brewers and Rays?
1) New York Mets— $346.8 million
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This means that the three Japanese players who were posted Sunday, featuring prized infielder Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers, must sign by Dec. 1 if there's a lockout, instead of the traditional 45-day window. The other two posted players are pitchers Kaima Taira of the Seibu Lions and Hiromi Itoh of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
The extended window in 2021 for posted players allowed outfielder Seiya Suzuki to sign a five-year, $85 million contract with theChicago Cubseight days after the March 10 lockout ended.
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Now, Japanese posted players will have less than 30 days to work out a deal.
While all free agents will be permitted to negotiate with all 30 teams beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Monday, MLB players who are unsigned before the collective bargaining agreement ends on Dec. 1, still are eligible to sign once the lockout ends.
