The Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Monday began the process of giving infielder Akinori Iwamura an opportunity to sign with a major-league team under the so-called posting system.
The Central League club filed the necessary documents with the Japanese baseball commissioner's office in order to make Iwamura, a career .300 hitter over 10 seasons, available for bids from major-league teams this offseason.
Swallows President Yoshikazu Tagiku has made clear his intention to award the successful bidder the negotiating rights regardless of the amount offered for Iwamura in the bidding process.