Overview
The free agent (FA) system was introduced to NPB in 1993, revolutionizing player movement by granting athletes the right to choose their own destination. Domestic FA rights are earned after 8 years on the first-team roster (reduced to 7 years for high school draftees since 2008), while international FA requires 9 years. Players who declare FA can negotiate with all 12 teams, with the acquiring club providing compensation-either a player from outside the protected list or monetary payment-to the former team. The system's inaugural year saw Hiromitsu Ochiai move from Chunichi to Yomiuri, followed by high-profile moves by Hiromi Matsunaga, Kazuhiro Kiyohara, and Kimiyasu Kudo. Recent notable FA signings include Yoshihiro Maru (2018, Hiroshima to Yomiuri) and Hotaka Yamakawa (2023, Seibu to SoftBank). While FA significantly expanded player rights, ongoing debates center on talent concentration in wealthy clubs and cases where key players are lost through the compensation system.