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Five players in foreign leagues to watch this MLB offseason

By David Hill

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 07: Pitcher Kodai Senga #21 of Team Japan is seen after the sixth inning against Team United States during the gold medal game between Team United States and Team Japan on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 07, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 07: Pitcher Kodai Senga #21 of Team Japan is seen after the sixth inning against Team United States during the gold medal game between Team United States and Team Japan on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 07, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) /
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The MLB offseason will be upon us all before we know it.

Yes, the postseason has yet to begin. And there are still a few games left in the regular season. However, for the majority of teams and their fans, it is time to look ahead to 2023. This coming offseason could be a chance to add those pieces needed to get back into contention.

Several players overseas could make MLB impact in 2023

Those players are not just limited to those currently stateside. Players head overseas, whether to Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan, in an attempt to rebuild their careers. The talent level in those leagues has improved, with players heading stateside to test themselves against the best of the best. This offseason, just like in others in recent past, players will look to make the transition to the majors to prove themselves.

Which players currently playing overseas could make an impact on MLB teams in 2023? Let’s take a look at five possible candidates.

Koudai Senga

MLB teams have been eyeing Koudai Senga for years now. This should be the time that he finally comes stateside.

The issue is that Senga is part of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, who refuse to make their players available through the posting system. Senga has repetitively expressed his desire to be posted so he can head stateside, but the Hawks have been steadfast in ignoring those requests. This time, he has an opt-out clause in his contract and would be eligible for international free agency, making him available for any interested teams if he exercises that clause as anticipated.

Senga has been his typically excellent self this season. He has posted a 2.03 ERA and a 1.040 WHiP in his 124 innings, striking out 137 batters with 40 walks. Although he would be 30 at the start of the 2023 season, he only has 1320.2 innings on his arm as the Hawks had used him in relief for the first few years of his career.

He also has the type of arsenal that can find success in the majors. Senga’s fastball can touch triple digits and he has a devastating forkball, the “Haunted Fork,” that falls off a table. He supplements those offerings with a cutter and a slider, giving him a strong four pitch mix that can befuddle the best hitters.

Koudai Senga has eyed the majors for years. His time could come this offseason.

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