Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker has several reports stating that Chunichi Dragons closer Hitoki Iwase will decline free agency and stay with the team. Iwase may not have been able to top his $4.3MM salary with an MLB club.
Iwase, a 34 year-old southpaw, would’ve been the best reliever coming over from Japan. He posted a 2.94 ERA and 7.5 K/9 in 49 innings this year.