"Japanese Job" challenges the Central League's third consecutive hegemony! The Hanshin Tigers spend 2.4 billion to recruit 3 FAs for reinforcements, which is expected to be the first reinforcement in the history of the team
If successful, it will be the first time in team history to sign three free agents.
Quick Look
- The Hanshin Tigers are preparing to spend 2.4 billion yen to sign three FA players: Chunichi outfielder Seiji Hayashi, Rhodes left-hander Kazuya Kojima, and Orix infielder Keita Nakagawa.
- If successful, it will be the first time in team history to sign three free agents.
- Funding sources include the maximum team transfer fee of about 3 billion yen that Teruaki Sato may bring through the recruitment system to challenge the major leagues.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Hanshin Tigers are fighting for three consecutive championships in the Central League. The most recent FA players they signed was in 2018, when they signed two free agents, Rod Hiroyuki Kobayashi and Rakuten Fujii Akito.
Rhodes started with a left shot by Kazuya Kojima. (File photo, taken by reporter Lin Zhengkun)
[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] According to a report from "Sports News", the Hanshin Tigers are fighting for three consecutive Central League championships and have prepared a silver bullet of 2.4 billion yen, intending to recruit three free agents using FA. If successful, it will set a first record in team history.
"Sports News" pointed out that the 31-year-old Chunichi Dragons outfielder Seiji Hayashi will exercise his free agent rights. Hanshin plans to start contact immediately on the day of the negotiation on the 11th to lift the ban, and the offer is a three-year, generous contract totaling approximately 400 million yen. In addition, Hanshin is also preparing to propose four-year high-paying contracts worth approximately 1 billion yen each for 30-year-old Rhodes starting left-hander Kazuya Kojima, who has announced the exercise of FA, and 30-year-old Orix infielder Keita Nakagawa.
Although the funds required for this reinforcement are quite large, Teruaki Sato, the Triple Crown batting champion of the Central League, is expected to challenge the major leagues through the admission system this offseason. Hanshin is expected to receive admission funds as a result. The American media estimates that the transfer fee may reach up to about 3 billion yen, so the team does not have much worries in terms of funds.
In order to challenge for three consecutive Central League championships for the first time in team history, Hanshin will comprehensively improve the depth of the team's strength. If it successfully recruits three FA players, it will be the first time in team history. Hanshin has signed the most FA players recently in 2018, when it signed two FA players at once, namely Rod Hiroyuki Kobayashi and Rakuten Fujii Akito.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Hanshin Tigers will immediately contact Kamebayashi Seiji on the day of negotiations to lift the ban on the 11th.
Likely · Within days
If three FA players are successfully signed, it will be the first time in Hanshin team history.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the three FA players eventually choose to join the Hanshin Tigers?
- Will Teruaki Sato challenge the major leagues through the admission system?
- Will the investment amount eventually reach the estimated 3 billion yen?
