MLB, CPBL Agreed on Posting System
On March 8, the MLB and CPBL have signed a players’ agreement containing posting system. The signing ceremony was attended by the CPBL commissioner Wu Chih-Yang and Jim Small, the senior vice president of MLB’s international business.
The newly set up MLB-CPBL posting system is said to be similar to what the MLB has signed with the NPB and the KBO.
“We feel this agreement was necessary for the CPBL and for the MLB in order to have a proper players movement process,” said Jim Small, the senior vice president of MLB. “It also reflected on the respect we have for Taiwanese baseball, as this is the same agreement the MLB have in Japan and Korea.”
Under the current CPBL rule, players who accumulated three service years would be eligible to file for International Free Agency with the permission of their team. With a proper posting system in place, the MLB teams will now be able to approach and negotiate with the CPBL players.
“Young Taiwanese players now have the option to join the CPBL first before heading to the MLB at a later stage via the posting system,” said the CPBL commissioner Wu Chih-Yang.
Jim Small, the senior vice president of the MLB's international business on the signing of the players agreement (posting system) between the #MLB and #CPBL. pic.twitter.com/ViQDrJAGVx
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) March 8, 2019
MLB, CPBL Posting System Explained
- Players must have three service years in the CPBL first team and the permission from their team. One CPBL service year equals to 125 days on the first team roster.
- Posting period is from November 1 to December 5.
- MLB teams can deal directly with the players or their agency during the posting period.
- The posting fee is based on the players’ contract value.
- 20% of the first $25 million (MLB contract)
- 17.5% of the next $25 million (MLB contract)
- 15% of any amount above $50 million (MLB contract)
- 25% if it is a minor league contract
Potential candidates to be posted in the future?
Uni-Lions’ Chen Yun-Wen definitely be one of them. Multiple MLB organisations were interested in him, but unable to bid on him due to no posting system. Maybe 20-year-old catcher Liao Chien-Fu is another potential candidate, but need to wait after 2020 season.
Do you know where one can get a copy of the actual agreement?
Good question. I don’t think you can find it online. But I assumed it is the same agreement with the KBO and NPB. Just with the CPBL name on it.
Maybe try your luck email the league and request a digital copy of the agreement.