
AI-generated summary
The SoftBank Hawks have reached the "Japan No. 1" ranking for two consecutive years, and they still plan to strengthen their teams in the off-season, locking in Seibu Lions star pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi and Hiroshima Carp star pitcher Nobuhito Morishita. Mitsunari Takahashi announced this year that he will exercise his overseas free agency rights to challenge the major leagues, but staying in Japan is still an option.
Mitsunari Takahashi. (File photo, taken from Seibu Lion official Facebook)
[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The SoftBank Hawks have reached "Japan's No. 1" for two consecutive years and still want to strengthen in the off-season. According to "Sports Japan", the SoftBank Hawks have targeted Seibu Lions star pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi and Hiroshima Carp star pitcher Nobuhito Morishita who are interested in challenging the major leagues.
The 29-year-old Mitsunari Takahashi is one of the main starters of the Seibu Lions. He has made 3 complete pitches in 22 starts this season, including 15 high-quality starts. He has 9 wins and 6 losses, an ERA of 2.54, and a total of 138.1 innings pitched with 114 strikeouts, a batting average of 0.207, and a WHIP rate of 1.08. Mitsunari Takahashi reached the fastest distance of 157 kilometers this year.
Mitsunari Takahashi announced yesterday that he will exercise his overseas free agency rights and challenge the major league stage. But he said in an interview that continuing to work in Japan would be one of the options he would consider.
Mitsunari Takahashi faced SoftBank in a total of 7 games this year, winning 4 and losing 2, including 2 complete shots, with a defensive rating of only 1.69. SoftBank supervisor Yuki Kokubo once praised Takahashi Mitsunari, "His pitching is completely different from last year. He deliberately threw the Carter ball high and controlled it very well. He is no longer just a pitcher who relies on the fork ball."
"Sports Japan" reported that SoftBank Chief Baseball Affairs Officer (CBO) Kenji Jojima pointed out that the team has continued to evaluate Mitsunari Takahashi, "After all, he is the ace pitcher of the rival team. There is no doubt that he is a very attractive pitcher, and we have been evaluating and investigating."
SoftBank is also observing Morishita Nobuhito's movements. Kenji Jojima said, "He is a player from Kyushu. As for whether his performance meets the needs of our team, we are indeed continuing to investigate."
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
SoftBank Hawks will make a signing offer for Mitsunari Takahashi or Nobuhito Morishita in the off-season
Likely · Within weeks

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