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The Saitama Seibu Lions suffered another loss in free agency with Tomoya Mori choosing to sign with the Orix Buffaloes on Tuesday. An official announcement will come later today from Orix.
It was reported his contract will be worth four years, ¥1.6 billion (less than $16 million). This is the largest free agent contract in franchise history, surpassing what Hiroyuki Nakajima and Hirotoshi Matsui made in the past.
Mori, 27, has won a batting title and Pacific League MVP in the past after being shunned and rejected by several teams in the 2013 NPB Draft.
Many saw Mori as a hitter who had no position in the field, yet it was Hatushiko Tsuji who was able to make him a full time catcher. He also had character concerns at the time of the draft.
With Mori being a Type A free agent, the Lions will receive some form of compensation whether it's more money or money and an unprotected player of choice.
Orix will have 28 protected players, where foreign imports won't be listed either. Historically speaking, the Lions have tried to acquire someone who can help sooner than later and likely won't take a prospect.
The Lions catcher situation will look better defensively with Sena Tsuge and Yuto Koga behind the plate, but the offensive production won't be the same.
In many ways, the Lions have already braced for this given they drafted four catchers, ikusei included, in the last five drafts.
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