Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters infielder Michihiro Ogasawara, the Pacific League's home run and RBI title winner, said Sunday he will file for free agency and decide his course of action for next season.
Whether Ogasawara, 33, will remain with the 2006 championship Fighters or move to another club remains to be seen and will be the focus of his contract talks. The Yomiuri Giants and Chunichi Dragons are expected to join in the race for his services.
"I intend to tell the team I plan to file for free agency," said Ogasawara, who helped pilot the Fighters to their first Japan Series crown in 44 years.
Nippon Ham wants Ogasawara to remain but he says he is still undecided. "I haven't determined what I'll do in the future."
Ogasawara, who led the league with 32 homers and 100 RBIs in 2006, did not explain his reasons for wanting to become free agent, saying he will go into detail at a press conference on Tuesday. "I need time to explain."
Nippon Ham has already offered Ogasawara a multiyear deal that is expected to give him a big raise in his annual salary.