Sports · Baseball · 8 hrs ago
Yū Iwasaki stays with Hanshin after declining free agency
Hanshin Tigers pitcher Yū Iwasaki will stay with the team after choosing not to use his free-agent rights.
The 35-year-old left-handed reliever made the announcement in Japan on October 30.
He has agreed to a new two-year contract, with an estimated annual salary of 200 million yen.
Iwasaki has worked as both a closer and a setup reliever, helping anchor Hanshin’s bullpen.
This season, he appeared in 50 games and recorded 11 saves, 19 holds and a 2.54 earned-run average.
He also reached 50 appearances for the sixth straight year, a first for the club.
Hanshin keeps an experienced bullpen leader for the seasons ahead, and Iwasaki says he will continue pitching for the team.
Yū Iwasaki will remain with the Hanshin Tigers after declining to exercise his reacquired free-agent rights.
The 35-year-old left-handed reliever agreed to a new two-year contract starting next season, with his annual salary unchanged at an estimated 200 million yen.
He recorded 3 wins, 3 losses, 11 saves and 19 holds with a 2.54 ERA in 50 appearances this season.
Iwasaki said he decided to keep pitching for the Tigers and was pleased the team valued his role.
Reports differ on whether the free-agent rights he declined were domestic or international.
- Who
- Yū Iwasaki, a 35-year-old Hanshin Tigers pitcher.
- What
- He declined to exercise his free-agent rights and agreed to remain with Hanshin on a two-year deal.
- When
- The decision and announcement were made on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Hanshin’s team office in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, where Iwasaki held a news conference.
- Why
- He said the team’s evaluation made him feel needed and able to fulfill his role for the team.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Iwasaki exercised domestic free agency and stayed with Hanshin on a four-year contract.
He appeared in 50 games, recording 3 wins, 3 losses, 11 saves, 19 holds and a 2.54 ERA.
Hanshin’s season ended with four straight losses to DeNA in the Central League Climax Series final stage.
Hanshin announced that Iwasaki would remain with the team after declining to exercise his free-agent rights.
Iwasaki held a retention news conference at the team office in Nishinomiya.
- Age
- 35
- New contract
- Two years from next season
- Annual salary
- 200 million yen, unchanged and estimated
- 2026 appearances
- 50
- 2026 pitching line
- 3 wins, 3 losses, 11 saves, 19 holds, 2.54 ERA
- Hanshin milestone
- Six consecutive seasons with at least 50 appearances
3 sources
What people are saying
This year, I reacquired my free-agent rights, but I have decided to keep pitching for the Tigers next year.
I received an offer that made me feel that being needed by the Tigers was what mattered most to me, and that I wanted to fulfill my role for the team next year and beyond.
The fact that we achieved three league championships and one Japan Series title during that time was a joy beyond compare.