Also in the “big direct appeal” accompanied by Mitsunari Takahashi’s agent
On the 20th, Seibu pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi negotiated to renew his contract at the team office in Tokorozawa, Saitama (presumed) and sign. Contract renewals have been completed for all players on the team. Takahashi, the “big bird”, has entered into negotiations with lawyer Taku Fukaya, who has been acting as an agent since this year, and has communicated to the team his intention to challenge the majors in the future. This year’s contract renewal has been turbulent, with pitcher Kaiba Taira requesting an initial turnover and suspending him in the first round of negotiations.
In a press conference following his contract renewal, Takahashi said, “I’ve always had a vague interest in the majors, but after watching this year’s World Series there, I felt a strong desire to pitch and play here. L ‘I did,’ he said. he said with a twinkle in his eye. The FA’s overseas takeover is expected to take place in 2026 at the earliest and the aim is to challenge the secondment system soon, but GM Hisanobu Watanabe, who was in charge of the negotiations, said: ‘I’ve just heard he plans to move to the majors in the future, and I’ll ask him when to post. It’s not a story,” he stressed.
Regarding the timing, Takahashi also said, “I don’t have a specific time yet…” “I hope it’s as soon as possible, but first I want to help win (Seibu) and be number one in Japan. That feeling is the strongest,” she said rather abruptly. This season, he served as a lead pitcher for the second straight year, posting his third double-digit record 12 wins (loss 8) and a 2.20 ERA, which is fourth in the league. Team-wise, Takahashi is only 25 years old, and after trial and error, he has finally become the team’s ace, so the real intention is that he can’t let go that easily.
Seibu’s off-season began with the shock of catcher Tomoya Mori’s move from FA to Orix. As compensation for Mori’s human resources, he acquired pitcher Zhang Yi from Orix and infielder Naomasa Yokawa from Hanshin in the active draft.
