Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma has changed representatives following last year's failed negotiations with the Oakland Athletics, his new agent said Monday.
Agent Paul Cobbe of Sosnick Cobbe Sports confirmed to Kyodo News that he is now representing Iwakuma. Cobbe said Iwakuma is the agency's first Japanese client from the NPB. He declined to comment on when the agreement was reached.
The 30-year-old right-hander may attempt to sign with a Major League Baseball team again later this year when he qualifies for free agency.
Don Nomura represented Iwakuma last winter in contentious negotiations with the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics won exclusive negotiating rights after paying a $19.1 million fee via the posting system. But Iwakuma returned to Rakuten after the two sides failed to secure a contract within the 30-day period.