The dominoes began to fall for the Saitama Seibu Lions for the second time this week with another move in free agency. Ginjiro Sumitani informed his decision with another team on Friday and it was reported that it will be the Yomiuri Giants.
Sumitani, 31, was a starting catcher for the Lions since 2011 as well as the 2009 season. In 2018, the Lions phased away from him as the third catcher while Masatoshi Okada and Tomoya Mori played more games behind the plate. Sumitani's new contract with the Giants is three years with an estimated ¥600 million.
In 2018, Sumitani had a career-low 47 ichi-gun games and hit a slashline of .248/.265/.310. Earlier this week, the Lions lost 2B Hideto Asamura to the Rakuten Eagles.
Sumitani is a type B free agent, which will require compensation for the Lions in cash or cash and a player. The Lions will choose between ¥66 million, or ¥44 million and an unprotected player not on the 28-man protected list. Last year, the Lions selected Hayato Takagi when they lose Ryoma Nogami in free agency.
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