Seibu Lions want to "Change Up" in 2022, add Takahashi, Witte

 

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The Saitama Seibu Lions announced their latest slogan for the 2022 season as Change Up!. 

Manager Hatsuhiko Tsuji said the team can't win in emotions alone, but can't win without feelings either. As the Lions finished in last place of the Pacific League for the first time in 42 years, he is hoping the younger players can use last year as a learning experience.

This season is supposed to be a transition year with Tsuji likely to step down for good as he passes the baton to Kazuo Matsui as the next Lions manager. Matsui was previously the farm manager before they promoted him to the head (bench) coach position. 

While Change Up can sound good on paper after a forgettable 2021, it's hard not to think about the changeup pitch which is something off speed to throw off a hitter. Hope the Lions don't slow down. 

Similarly, the Yokohama DeNA Baystars had "This is my Era" yet it doesn't sound good for a struggling pitcher's statline.  

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New foreigners added

The Lions also spent December signing two imports in RHP Bo Takahashi and IF Jantzen Witte. 

Takahashi, who will be 25 in 2022, was mostly in the minor league system of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent time on their 40-man roster and even had a day on the 25-man roster, but never played an MLB game. 

Last year, he was in AAA with the Cincinnati Reds organization before he signed with the KIA Tigers of KBO as a midseason signing. In six KBO starts, he had a 4.18 ERA in 32.1 innings of work. 

Takahashi is Brazillian with Japanese descent. As a result, he counts as a foreigner on the ichi-gun roster. His family name was listed in Katakana.

On paper, Takahashi is the most raw player of the Lions foreign signings. He can throw hard, but can his control develop? While he was a starter for most of his career, the Lions may have Takahashi as a project as they figure out how to utilize him. 

Witte, who will be 32 in 2022, was a career minor leaguer with no MLB experience. In 2021 with the Seattle Mariners organization in AAA, he had a slashline of .299/.364/.491 with 19 home runs in 104 games. 

He was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 24th round of the 2013 MLB draft. He only made it to AAA with Boston. 

Witte is able to play 1B, 2B and 3B, carrying versatility where the Lions need it. He should be given a starting role immediately for any struggling position. 

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