Orix Buffaloes infielder Keita Nakagawa (30) exercised his domestic free agency rights on the 5th. He submitted the application documents to the club facilities in Maishima, Osaka. In preparation for the start of negotiations on the 11th, the Hanshin Tigers have finalized a policy to make an immediate offer with a large-scale contract totaling 1 billion yen over four years.

Nakagawa informed the club of his intention to exercise his rights on the 3rd and made a formal announcement this afternoon. Through the club, he commented, 'When I imagined myself after my playing career ends, I wanted to make a decision I wouldn't regret, which led me to exercise my free agency rights.' He acquired the rights this July. He has decided to broaden his options regarding his future path as he enters his ninth season next year.

After moving from PL Gakuen to Toyo University, he entered the professional league in 2019. He appeared in 111 games in his first year, and notably during the interleague games, he became the first rookie in history to win the leading hitter title with a .386 batting average. He secured a regular position in the outfield starting in 2022 and received his first Best Nine award last year. The Hanshin Tigers, who are based in the same Kansai region, have been paying attention to his appeal, including his high level of hitting skill, his experience in every batting order from 1st to 9th, and his ability to play first base.

His annual salary of 100 million yen is considered to be Rank B, which involves human or financial compensation, and the Orix Buffaloes are also trying to persuade him to stay based on a salary increase and a multi-year contract. Along with Mune, who exercised his rights on the 2nd, the policy is to allow them to remain with the team even after declaring free agency. Nakagawa added, 'I want to take my time and think carefully about how I want to spend my future baseball life.' He has taken a major step forward.