The trend of top-tier Japanese baseball players, specifically cleanup hitters or the "4th batter," transferring to Major League Baseball (MLB) in the US appears to be on the rise, causing concerns amongst informed circles. Critics warn of the implications this could have on the nation's homegrown baseball leagues, fearing a depletion of local talent. While no specific time frame has been given for these transfers, observers are noticing an increasing trend that's attracting more and more of Japan's prized sluggers towards the alluring MLB scene.

Baseball is a beloved sport in Japan, closely followed and passionately played by its populace. The outflow of key players to the MLB is met with mixed feelings; a sense of national pride in seeing them succeed on an international platform, coupled with concern for the potential impact on the quality of local leagues.

In the US and EU, player transfers to international leagues are not as common in sports like baseball and football, due to the prestige and high standards of their domestic leagues. However, in sports where there's a stronger international footing like soccer, similar transfers are very common and are often viewed as a testament to the player's skill and a valuable source of revenue for their original teams.