2024 Lions need to start looking ahead, cut players

The Saitama Seibu Lions already made multiple changes prior to the roster deadlines for 2024. By July 31, any possible trades for a player to count in the postseason for another team needs to be made.

For the Lions, it's looking ahead and being a last place team currently 31 games under .500 and a 0-11 head-to-head record against the Chiba Lotte Marines.

With their win percentage at .304 through July 13, the Lions are on pace for their worst season since 1971, where they were Nishitetsu Lions with a 38-84-8 record at .311 win percentage. 

If this place continues at a .304 win pct, then the 2024 season becomes the worst season in franchise history. 

What's the elephant in the room? Mediocre bullpen with a putrid offense at rock bottom.  As a team, they're hitting very close to the Mendoza Line at .204. Zero pop, but also no getting on base. 

With a historic season for the worst on the line, the Lions need to look in the mirror with their roster and see who is the plans moving forward. 

This year, they already traded Gakuto Wakabayashi to the Yomiuri Giants for OF Seiya Matsubara. They also dumped Hiromasa Saito, a former first round draft pick on Ikusei, to the SoftBank Hawks for IF Daiju Nomura. 

The Lions have also promoted P Shinya Sugai (third round ikusei pick in 2021), OF Koichi Okumura (sixth round ikusei pick in 2023) and Shoya Makino (recovering from injury) to the 70-man roster where all three have made at least four ichi-gun appearances each. 

What happens now? More should be cut at the end of the year. We'll examine all foreigners and players who could be gone sooner than later based on playing time and performance. 

One premise to keep in mind, the Lions have cut players only to give them second, third and fourth chances under Ikusei contracts. Only a handful have returned with a move up.  

Two players must also be designated for the Active Player (Rule 5) Draft after the cuts, even if the Lions need to keep them for the next year. 

Aito Takeda was plucked by the Marines and it's likely Tetsu Miyagawa was also given this designation. He was later traded to the Yakult Swallows for IF Hiyu Motoyama. 

It really forced anyone to wait until January to know who is truly cut (戦力外) or not.

As a disclaimer, this is not a wish for players to lose their jobs, but it is the reality of the business for all teams to clear way for new draft picks. In fairness, we will not list any players currently on an ikusei contract. 

Here is our list of candidates who could be gone:

IF Hiyu Motoyama

The Lions acquired Motoyama from the Swallows when sending former first round pick Tetsu Miyagawa in a trade last offseason. With only 19 ichi-gun games, it's more than likely he's unwanted. 

IF Brandon Taiga Tysinger

Promoted back to the 70-man roster after a strong camp, Tysinger has failed to play an ichi-gun game after the opening three games in Sendai. In his last at-bat, he was overwhelmed in three pitches with runners in scoring position.  His time is dwindling and while he showed promise in 2021, that's all in the last as his approach at the plate has led to nowhere.

IF Kakeru Yamanobe

Yamanobe has been with the team since 2019, but failed to be a regular with his poor bat. Thought to be insurance when Hideto Asamura would leave in free agency, he could never win a starting job and was a replacement player at best. He's never had more than 60 ichi-gun appearances in a single season and now that he's 30, there's plenty of younger options available. 

IF Naomasa Yohkawa

Taken in the Active Player Draft from 2022, Yohkawa was thought to be a matchup specialist against left-handed pitchers. In two seasons, he has a combined 20 ichi-gun games.  He's also the second oldest Japanese infielder on the roster after Takeya Nakamura. No reason to keep him around.

IF Kento Watanabe

This is what a bust looks like.  Watanabe had one fun game in 2021, but can't make an impact at 1B when he was given opportunities. Only at seven ichi-gun games in 2024 being his fourth season with the Lions, it may be time to eat it and trade him. He doesn't have the power his body build would appear as.

OF Yuji Kaneko

The Lions kept him from free agency years ago, but it's been a poor investment ever since 2020, where his stolen base count took a major drop. Became less useful as a light hitter and already showed his age in the last few years failing to appear in 50 ichi-gun games for a single season since 2022. At this rate, he's blocking someone younger from opportunity to develop.

OF Takumi Kuriyama (retirement?)

The former Lions captain turns 41 in September. A part time DH, he'll likely step away when he desires to. Playing him now just hurts development for someone else.

OF Manaya Nishikawa

Nishikawa was a second round draft pick in 2017, but has failed to win a job when given the chance. At best he's a spell outfielder as his upside and ceiling is caving in at age 25. 

OF Shohei Suzuki

Once thought to be the heir to Shogo Akiyama when drafted, Suzuki never took that step to be an ichi-gun regular. Whether it's an injury or performance, his inconsistency kept him odd the roster. Was often given the Opening Day job, but never retained it. Now he's 26 years old with a ceiling crashing down. 

OF Wataru Takagi

Takagi was once a promoted ikusei pick back in 2019. He's had only a handful of ichi-gun appearances in each season since. However, he hasn't played an ichi-gun game in 2024, hinting he's buried on the depth chart. 

C Masatoshi Okada (retirement?)

Okada hasn't appeared in a game since 2022 due to a lengthy injury. It's unclear if he'll ever be healthy enough to play in a game again.

C Sena Tsuge

With the emergence of Yuto Koga, it's likely Tsuge lost his battle and has become expendable as a backup.  There isn't much incentive to keep him with younger options. 

P Shota Hamaya

Hamaya saw limited action in 2020, but couldn't build off his promising start. He appeared in one game for 2024 and it's likely there won't be many chances ahead.

P Tatsushi Masuda (free agent)

Masuda is in the final year of a four year contract and while it may have been important to keep him at the time, this investment has backfired. He only has a good season in 2022 but has remained forgettable otherwise. 

P Ren Omagari

A former rubber ball pitched, Omagari only saw mop up duties from 2021-2023. He has yet to make an ichi-gun appearance in 2024. Time may have run out.

===

Foreign players

We look at all import players no matter how they perform and see how things look. 

P Albert Abreu

Abreu has been the Lions closer for most of the season. While he's human and has his share of blown games, the Lions would welcome him back in 2025 at this pace. Question is, does someone in MLB give an offer? If so, he's going back to North America. 

P Bo Takahashi

Bo has been given the back end starter job and been average. He's not going to be the most attractive option, but to eat innings, he's done his part. There's a good chance the Lions retain his services in 2025.

P Jefry Yan

Yan has been more famous for his excessive strikeout celebrations. In reality, he's taken low leverage innings which is job someone needs to do. He's cost efficient, but is there really upside here? Based on performance, the Lions could easily look for an upgrade elsewhere.

IF Jesus Aguilar

Aguilar is all but done in chances with the Lions. He looks overwhelmed in his 30 games and has lost a step in his game. Unfortunately, it's likely he played through injuries and his decline from MLB speaks for itself in comparison to his peak 2018 season in Milwaukee. 

The gamble to let David MacKinnon walk with wanting Aguilar as a power hitter backfired. Crazy enough, MacKinnon is available as the Samsung Lions just released him this week. 

OF Franchy Cordero

Cordero saw even fewer games than Aguilar with only 22 and the Lions have given up on him since May.

He strikes out too much for a guy who can hit it hard and can be capable of barrels. It doesn't happen enough and he's on his way out at this pace.

Conclusion 

Anything goes. Anyone on this roster who isn't a proven regular should be nervous when it's the end of the season.  When you're an awful team being run by a cheap ownership and have failed to scout/develop position players for years, this is what happens. Kazuo Matsui was the first scapegoat, but who else in the front office or staff deserves to go?

Maybe the people who liked Kento Watanabe would be a start. 

===

Follow us on X @GraveyardBall

Lions failures make 2024 a lost season

 

This blog has been inactive thanks to being on several trips, including a recent dismissal of Kazuo Matsui as the manager of the Saitama Seibu Lions. 

Let's catch up on the several things from May and more.

Former coach passed away

On May 5, former pitching coach Eiji Kiyokawa passed away from a battle with cancer. The team announced this news a week after his passing as they mourned for him. He served as a farm pitching coach from 2019-2023 and his last work was under an advisory role for 2024. 

As a player, Kiyokawa, 62, was a pitcher for the Hiroshima Carp and Kintetsu Buffaloes. Prior to the Lions, he also served as a coach for the Carp and Orix Buffaloes. 

===

Matsui's "retirement" occurs before interleague play

Kazuo Matsui was forced into a "leave of absence" or "rest" by the Lions front office after an abysmal 15-30 record through May 26. The Lions won their final two games in a weekend series against the Orix Buffaloes, but it wasn't enough as the team suffered two losing streaks of at seven games or more, including an eight game losing streak from May 14-24. 

General manager Hisanobu "Nabe-Q" Watanabe named himself the "acting" general manager as they search for a long term replacement. 

Nabe-Q managed his first game since 2013 on May 28 against the Chunichi Dragons. 

===

Lions offense remains as weak as ever

The one fear most people had dating back to last season was needing an improvement on offense. Unfortunately, they've taken a further step backwards with both foreign position players in Jesus Aguilar and Franchy Cordero took time off the ichi-gun roster, though the latter is back. 

This worst case scenario just continues with a lack of pop aside from occasional HRs by an old Takeya Nakamura, who is coming to hit 500 for his career.  

===

Nearly every position player drafted since 2017 is either a busy or part time player at best

The biggest elephant in the room points at Kento Watanabe, the first round pick of 2020, not doing anything at the ichi-gun four years removed from college. He's just one of many whiffs by the Lions front office or even the coaching staff at failing to develop. 

Manaya Nishikawa was a second round high school pick in 2017, but he can't win himself a job. 

Kakeru Yamanobe was thought to be insurance for the loss of Hideto Asamura, but he's only seen as a bench person for his poor hitting. 

Gakuto Wakabayashi can't fulfill the promise he once held in 2021. 

Only Yuto Koga appears to have developed as a hitter and being the full-time catcher. Regardless, the Lions can't reload like they used to when losing a star player to free agency. 

There is still hope for Takuya Hiruma, but time will run out if there's no progress by 2025.

===

Organizational cheapness comes back to bite

There can be a catch to keeping a player too long.  See Yuji Kaneko, Tatsushi Masuda and Ken Togame. However, it's been known when a star player reaches free agency and wants money, he usually leaves the Lions. 

Takayuki Kishi was the most clear as day moment when the Lions wouldn't budge their hard offer, something the Rakuten Eagles beat by a mile. 

It's happened several times in history from going back to Kazuhiro Kiyohara signing with the Yomiuri Giants and Kimiyasu Kudo with the Daiei Hawks. 

This is a constant of the Lions front office not being with the times, though they've invested in their ballpark and player dormitories, the culture hasn't led to keeping several of their players around. 

More recently Tomoya Mori signed with the Orix Buffaloes with no regrets. 

Even with the star pitchers currently here, will they want to walk when they reach domestic free agency? It's likely.

===

What happens now?

At this rate, it's about trying to have the best season you can have. Develop your players, dump the deadweight and look for fresh blood.

It's now a mistake the Lions dumped David MacKinnon with a fake lowball offer thinking Aguilar was an upgrade. 

The only thing this Lions organization has gotten right, is taking Natsuki Takeuchi with talent over need in Ryuki Watarai.  Takeuchi has lived up to the hype of expectations and the scouts got it right showing his command and versatility in pitches have helped the rotation. But even then, it's hard not to think he'll want to leave when he reaches seven years of service time, or even as low as six if the new agreement changes. 

Nabe-Q is just being a caretaker seeking a replacement. As cool as Koji Akiyama sounds as a name, he's been away from the game since 2014 and wouldn't be ideal since the times have changed. 

The Lions will need to spend these next few months wisely as they find a manager who can both coach and display strong leadership. 

Kazuo Matsui's dismissal is only a classic scapegoat move as the fall guy for the Lions failures. It happens all the time in sports to have the manager/head coach being the first domino to fall.

He's the face of all the responsibility, but his issue stems with constant poor offense, an issue that's been around since 2020, or to translate, when Shogo Akiyama signed with the Cincinnati Reds. 

With the current structure, the front office in charge of scouting position players or coaches developing them needs to change. Someone has lost their touch now that we're at five years and counting of being dismal offensively.

===

Follow us on X @GraveyardBall

Worst case scenario occurring under Matsui

 

The Saitama Seibu Lions have been free falling with a 1-9 stretch over their last 10 games.

With their most recent loss, they sit in last place of the Pacific League and have the worst record in NPB through April 21. 

Why is this happening? We will dive into some of it.

Franchy Cordero's defense was exposed

The Lions took Cordero off their ichi-gun roster when his defense was becoming a liability, but his offense of being extreme hit or miss was also a problem. It was documented he had decent exit velocity for statcast measurements, but executing them on a consistent basis is the problem.  

===

Everything goes wrong at once

Sometimes it's a reliever blowing a lead or the game being one hit away. Currently, the Lions sit at a 3-7 record in one run games. To be an A-class team, the record needed to flip, but with the trends of this organization, it doesn't look good.

One day Hiroshi Kaino blows a lead, another day, runners are stranded in scoring position. On a different day, Kona Takahashi has a poor outing.

On paper this trend shouldn't continue, but there's enough flaws to keep the losing coming.

===

Offense remains poor since Shogo Akiyama left for MLB

Plenty of players were drafted in the last decade. Of the position players take. since 2014, only Shuta Tonosaki and Sosuke Genda are ichi-gun regulars where it's possible Yuto Koga is a starting catcher.

Ryusei Sato may be a solid hitter, but not enough to be a star. Others like Brandon Tysinger, Gakuto Wakabayashi, Shohei Suzuki and possibly Manaya Nishikawa have fizzled out not living up to their potential. 

The hitting coaches have barely changed in this timeframe aside from Yosuke Hiraishi being an addition. 

On the aging side, Takeya Nakamura and Takumi Kuriyama are both way past their primes and the former is only staying around with the goal of reaching 500 career HRs. 

What's even more sad is Junichiro Kishi is tied for HRs with Jesus Aguilar having two up to this point, an outfielder not built to play every day.

===

Kazuo Matsui has no excuses

Matsui came back to the Lions organization in 2018 as a part time player/coach. He was later the farm manager from 2019-2021, meaning he saw several of these players like Nishikawa through the organization in their developmental phases.  

He was the head (bench) coach for the Lions in 2022 as a transition year for 2023. 

Currently, there's no progress on offense and it ends up being his responsibility when one unit is rather poor. Last year, his fixation on playing Minato Aoyama hurt him and the bullpen to cost the team games.

However, with this poor showing by players, the culture of losing could trickle down long term. The worst case scenario happened last week, when Hotaka Yamakawa hit two grand slams in one game off the Lions. 

The reputation at Seibu has been negative with several players leaving once they hit free agency. It goes beyond wages, more to do with culture and conditions. 

There's a reason why Kona Takahashi wants to go to MLB someday, part of it likely wanting to leave the Lions and not be stuck for awhile. For those tracking, he doesn't have domestic FA rights until after the 2025 season.

Starting pitching is living up to the hype with Kaima Taira, Tatsuya Imai and even Natsuki Takeuchi looking good. However, this won't mean much when the team can't hit. 

If this offensive trend continues, heads need to be rolling and it's very fireable how they could even be worse than last season, where Yamakawa also missed most of the games. 

===

Follow us on X @GraveyardBall

2024 Lions Digest: Takeuchi wins debut

 

The Saitama Seibu Lions had a successful first full week of the season by going a combined 4-2 against the Orix Buffaloes and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

They're currently tied for first place in the Pacific League with the Softbank Hawks having a 6-3 record.

===

Game 1: Kaima Taira vs Luis Castillo

Taira pitched 5.2 shutout innings in a close affair. The only offense for the Lions came off an RBI groundout and sacrifice fly, where the latter was nearly an out. Ryusei Sato tagged up from third base and Orix Manager Satoshi Nakajima used a request when it looked too early on a fly ball.  Umpires ruled this too inconclusive to overturn the safe call.

Keisuke Honda gave up a run in the 7th inning, but limited hr damage as the Lions relief pitchers preserved a small lead in the home opener. 

Lions 2, Buffaloes 1

===

Game 2: Natsuki Takeuchi vs Shunpeita Yamashita

Takeuchi threw seven shutout innings showing strong command and painting the corner. He limited Orix to only one hit and two walks. 

Jesus Aguilar drew first blood with a timely hit following a stolen base from Shuta Tonosaki. 

Manaya Nishikawa plated a run on a fielders choice while Ginjiro Sumitani scored another on an infield single.  

Takeuchi winning his NPB debut mirrored what Chihiro Sumida accomplished two years ago as it happened against Orix. 

Lions 3, Buffaloes 0

Game note: Brandon Tysinger was taken off the roster for a leg injury. 

===

Game 3: "Bo" Takahashi vs. Kohei Azuma 

 Bo gave up two runs through 5.2 innings with a manufactured one via a wild pitch and sacrifice fly. With an inherited runner, Yoshinobu Mizukami gave up a timely to Tomoya Mori which was the difference. 

Azuma controlled the game with seven strong innings only allowing a solo HR to Shuta Tonosaki. The Lions had two chances of the bullpen, both squandered in the process. Sosuke Genda grounded into a double play and Takeya Nakamura grounded out, both times with the tying run in scoring position. 

Buffaloes 2, Lions 1

===

Game 4: Tatsuya Imai vs Hiromi Itoh

This game was a tight contest where Franchy Cordero hit his first HR of the year. Holding a 2-1 lead, Imai gave up a sacrifice fly and later a timely to Yuya Ginji, but good defense by Manaya Nishikawa on a relay preserved a deadlock.  

Chances by the Lions were ruined by a failed squeeze attempt from Nishikawa and fly out from Yuto Koga. 

Taishi Mameda loaded the bases in the 12th, leading to a walkoff sacrifice fly by Ariel Martinez and a loss.

Fighters 3, Lions 2 (12 innings)

===

Game 5: Chihiro Sumida vs. Takayuki Katoh

Ryusei Sato and Junichiro Kishi hit back-to-back home runs which set the tone for the Lions to control this game. 

Sumida pitched seven shutout innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Mizukami struggled in the 9th, where Abreu came in to record another save. Coming off the bench, Ryosuke Kodama added a timely.

Lions 5, Fighters 2

===

Game 6: Wataru Matsumoto vs Kenta Uehara

The Lions offense exploded for a combined 11 runs off 12 hits, with five of those runs coming in the first four innings.

Matsumoto was also efficient, throwing eight innings with one run allowed, four hits and five strikeouts. His outing was only took 94 pitches. Yuta Nakamura made his Lions debut in the 9th to a scoreless frame. 

It was such a successful day that even Hiyu Motoyama had a hit off the bench for his first in a Lions uniform.

Lions 11, Fighters 1

===

Follow us on X @GraveyardBall

2024 Lions Digest: Imai dominates Opening Day

The Saitama Seibu Lions took the Opening Day weekend series in Sendai against the Rakuten Eagles.

===

Game 1: Tatsuya Imai vs Takahisa Hayakawa

Both teams struggled to score as the starters controlled the game. Even getting on base was a struggle with only a handful of hits allowed. It wasn't until the 8th inning, where Shuta Tonosaki had a timely off Hayakawa to plate Yuji Kaneko as the only run. 

Imai dominated for six innings and had 11 strikeouts. It took an extra will to finish the 7th, but he got the ground ball needed when runners were on. He had an average velocity of 154 km/h (96mph) and even touched higher speed in the first two innings. 

Both Hiroshi Kaino and Albert Abreu closed the 8th and 9th innings, respectively where the latter recorded his first save in NPB making his debut. 

Lions 1, Eagles 0

=== 

Game 2: Chihiro Sumida vs. Kosei Shoji

This one has one that of runners on base for the Lions as Franchy Cordero and Jesus Aguilar made big contributions and timely hits. Cordero had first blood with a hard double down the right field line to score Kaneko from first. Yuto Koga had a Modasho and eight out of nine Lions starters had at least one hit.  

Sumida struggled out of the gate, but some clean 3rd and 4th innings were able to get him into the 6th before being pulled for his first win. 

Lions 8, Eagles 2

===

Game 3: Wataru Matsumoto vs Seiryu Uchi

The Lions jumped out to a 3-0 lead where Toshiki Abe had a brutal error misfielding a base hit. However, the Eagles responded in the bottom of the third as Abe redeemed his mistake by getting a hit with the bases loaded to tie it up. 

Matsumoto would only last five innings as this would be a no-decision. The Lions had a chance in the 6th, but pinch runner Wataru Takamatsu was picked off by the catcher at second base. 

Both teams squandered numerous chances including groundouts by Takeya Nakamura and Hideto Asmaura. 

Hiroto Kobukata came through in the 11th inning as Ryota Itogawa was making his debut in relief. A sacrifice fly ended 

Lions 3, Eagles 4 (11 innings)

===

Follow us on X @GraveyardBall

Lions can go as far as the rotation takes them

 

The Saitama Seibu Lions enter the 2024 season with high personal expectations. However, most pundits don't see an A-class finish given the recent track record.

Their rotation has potential to carry this team and becomes the most intriguing unit with the mix of Kona Takahashi, Chihiro Sumida, Tatsuya Imai, Kaima Taira, Wataru Matsumoto and even first round rookie Natsuki Takeuchi. They may even throw out Bo Takahashi to the unit. 

Last season's flaws came on offense and bullpen, where those who don't make the rotation should help the latter. 

Gone is David MacKinnon, where the Lions chose to sign Jesus Aguilar in favor of his potential for pop.  The Lions also took flyers on pitchers Jefry Yan and Albert Abreu who could contribute to the bullpen. 

OF Franchy Cordero is an extreme hit or miss, where making contact is important. 

For the bullpen, Hiroshi Kaino comes as compensation for the loss of Hotaka Yamakawa with high expectations. 

Tatsushi Masuda had an awful 2023 and enters this season in a contract year. Shunsuke Sato should be reliable while it would help if Albert Abreu can take a key role. Jefry Yan is a long shot in spite of his celebration antics. 

Domestically, the Lions are hoping for a mature Takuya Hiruma into the outfield and being an everyday player. Can Yuto Koga's bat improve when his defense was strong? Ginjiro Sumitani is back as a veteran mentoring the young. 

Only Shuta Tonosaki and Sosuke Genda are regular ichi-gun position players. 

The Competition

Looking at the Pacific League as a whole, there's a way to break down each opponent in a simplified manner. Who has expectations and who doesn't?

Rakuten Eagles 

2023 head-to-head record: 14-10-1

Core Four: IF Hideto Asamura, P Takahisa Hayakawa, OF Ryosuke Tatsumi, P Takayuki Kishi

Outlook: The Eagles came off a disappointing fourth place finish and lost their chance at the postseason on the final day of the regular season by losing at home to the Chiba Lotte Marines.

In a strange situation, Kazuhisa Ishii stepped away from manager with Toshiaki Imae promoted to manager after being a hitting coach. 

On the field, they've had an aging rotation where Masahiro Tanaka took a decline and Takahiro Norimoto is switching to a closer role after the loss of Yuki Matsui to the San Diego Padres. From failing to build from within, the Eagles have been forced to sign players to fill holes and this year is no different with import retreads in Nik Turley and Cody Ponce as additions. 

This team has enough to be mediocre or even in A-class, but many will point to the problems of this organization from within. We've made comparisons in the past that the Eagles are the Los Angeles Angels of Japan due to owner, Hiroshi Mikitani being too hands on and mirroring the latter in Arte Moreno in the baseball operations department.

 The Eagles also became exposed over bullying within the organization and a video was shown where Masahiro Tanaka was laughing over something and was forced to apologize. Tomohiro Anraku was used as a scapegoat for the bullying, but there is no signs the culture has changed in spite of his ousting and going to Mexico.

Most would say with the pitching being arguably the worst in the league, they have no chance at A-class, but their hitting can spoil some games..

===

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

2023 head-to-head record: 16-9

Core Four: OF Chusei Mannami, OF Go Matsumoto, P Takayuki Katoh, P Hiromi Itoh

Outlook: This season is put up or shut up for manager Tsuyoshi "Big Boss" Shinjo as he enters Year 3. For 2022, he was given a pass for being experimental and innovative to figure out which players can fit in different roles. Now, the excuses are fading with two consecutive last place finishes, including a bad 13-gane losing streak in the middle.

Kotaro Kiyomiya enters his age 25 season where injuries and performance have fizzled his development up to this point.  If he can put a full season together sooner, he will never be the star the team and fans envisioned him at drafting. 

Even with the loss of Naoyuki Uwasawa to MLB, the starting pitching should still be fine as long as Kenta Uehara has a full season.  They re-added Drew VerHagen as well as Sachiya Yamasaki from the Orix Buffaloes to fill out the rotation.

Problem is, can Big Boss manage properly without being too much of a gimmick? Players are all over the place including several former catchers in the field. Attention to detail also hurting as there were several one run losses in that losing streak from bad base running to a bad pitch.

Breathing down Shinjo's neck is GM Atsunori Inaba, who is also taking farm manager duties in Kamagaya for the season. Don't be surprised if the former Samurai Japan manager who was in charge of the 2020 Olympics is lined up for 2025. 

===

Chiba Lotte Marines

2023 head-to-head record: 9-16

Core Four: OF Gregory Polanco, IF Neftali Soto, P Kazuya Ojima, P Roki Sasaki

Outlook: One could argue the Marines underachieved in spite of winning a playoff series in 2023. There was no one good in the Pacific League except the champion Orix Buffaloes and the Marines were trailing in pile of mediocrity and trash among other teams. 

For all the hype of Roki Sasaki and media attention he received for his holdout, the war isn't over as we won't know what parameters were signed for the 2024 season. The rumors of him leaving for MLB remain high when leaked reports said he wanted to come early before he's 25, sacrificing millions of it happened. He'll need to put a full ace-like season of work (150+ innings) which he has yet to accomplish. 

Offensively, the Marines need to rely on imports who came from other teams as Polanco and Soto previously played for the Yomiuri Giants and Yokohama DeNA Baystars, respectively, but the former had success last season in Chiba.

What's really bad is Katsuya Kakunaka leading the team in OPS among Japanese players with at least 90 games played, the Marines were structured to move on from the old guard into the youth, but the latter hasn't progressed as one would hope. 

Taiga Hirasawa is a bust while many are waiting on Kyota Fujiwara and Hisanori Yasuda to emerge. 

If the recent draft picks of the last four years can come together and develop, this team is a lock for A-class, but it will hinge on the offense.

Starting pitching is still a strength beyond Sasaki as Kazuya Ojima and CC Mercedes can eat up innings. It wouldn't hurt if Atsuki Taneichi can put in an ace-like season, as he was thought to be this after 2019. 

One thing that is very clear, they can't be written off as Masato Yoshii has shown to be a good manager and working with the best of his situation. Tadahito Iguchi, his predecessor, ended up making the worst bullpen decisions which led to a change after 2022. It could be a close tossup for A-class if the offense doesn't improve. 

===

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks

2023 head-to-head record: 12-13

Core Four: P Shunta Ishikawa, DH Kensuke Kondo, OF Yuki Yanagita, IF Ryoya Kurihara

Outlook: The Softbank Hawks had an injury riddled season that saw several players out, especially at the pitching level. In spite of this, they still competed and nearly won a postseason series only to blow it late against the Marines.

Gone is manager Hiroshi Fujimoto, who was there as a two-year caretaker, but also created a tense culture within the clubhouse. Hiroki Kokubo has been groomed for this moment, formerly in charge of Samurai Japan during the 2015 Premier 12 and 2017 World Baseball Classic. Would think he's learned a lot since those mistakes and working at the farm level.

While there is no true ace in the Hawks rotation, they still have plenty of depth and arguably the best top to bottom in this department when needing arms to carry the entire season. Kohei Arihara played his first season with the Hawks with success while it's possible Carter Stewart Jr. could have a breakout season. Even an old Tsuyoshi Wada can take 100+ innings into his 40s.

Their biggest acquisitions were in the field, signing Hotaka Yamakawa to an excessive contract when he came off controversy and a suspension. They also added Adam Walker, who was on the Giants. 

There are always options from within they can reload and re-tool even without a true ace like the years of Wada's prime or Kodai Senga. With the new leadership of Kokubo, the switch should flip and they'll be back in contending status, but from a Lions standpoint, it was good to get a monkey off their back competing head to head better than previous seasons. 

===

Orix Buffaloes

2023 head-to-head record: 8-17

Core Four: P Hiroya Miyagi, P Shunpeita Yamashita, DH/C Tomoya Mori, IF Kotaro Kurebayashi

Outlook: Orix is the cream of the crop even without Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Sachiya Yamasaki leaving. Everything is slated for their rotation to still be loaded with Yamashita and Miyagi ready to go. 

Offensively, they'll be above average but that might be enough to be No. 1 in the Pacific League given the state of the PL as a whole. Adding Nishikawa should provide stability to the outfield and while Yuna Tongu may have had a fluke 2023, he should be solid. Other veterans like Yuma Mune and Yutaro Sugimoto should be fine, but Kotaro Kurebayashi becomes the guy Orix needs for the long run to keep themselves atop of the Pacific.

Orix still has a strong bullpen with the usual suspects and with Satoshi Nakajima as the longest tenured manager in the PL, they should be contenders and a thorn for the Lions. 

===

Where the Lions finish and go?

Right now, it feels like the Lions could go anywhere from as high as second place if they have a strong offense to dead last if injuries pile up.

The rotation is too strong to put them in the cellar, but can offense do anything and execute? Also it will be a question on how Kazuo Matsui manages the bullpen, as his fixation on Minato Aoyama came back to bite and hurt the team.  On paper, the Lions should be competitive, but it could come down to every game meaning something and the final week to determine if they're an A-class team or not. 

===

Follow us on X @GraveyardBall

Imanaga won't need to be a star with Cubs

 

Shota Imanaga signed with the Chicago Cubs in January as one of many players coming over from NPB to MLB. 

Despite having a high fanfare of projections in the heights of $100 million, he only received a contract with $53 million guaranteed. 

Due to the excellent timing, the Cubs were able to introduce him to the public at Cubs Convention, a weekend event for fans and the team to connect. 

"I am very happy to be here and a Cub. I want to thank the Cubs organization and I'm excited to pitch at Wrigley Field," Imanaga said through interpreter Shingo Murata. "I'm looking forward to being with coaches and teammates. Go Cubs go!"

Known as a "Throwing Philosopher," Imanaga said he earned this nickname through his studious habits beyond the physical practice in his pitching. 

Imanaga said Seiya Suzuki did not influence his decision to pick the Cubs when he entered the posting window. It was the Cubs themselves who approached and wanted him the most. 

"One of the things that resonated with me is [when the Cubs said they] believe in my potential and do what I do best," Imanaga said. "At the same time, I realize there's a lot of room for me to grow and I look forward to talking with my coaches and teammates to reach that potential when I can. "

Jed Hoyer, Cubs President of Baseball Operations, said it was an "extensive" process in scouting Imanaga. Both he and General Manager Carter Hawkins did plenty of homework when watching film and reading information. Hoyer even attended a game in September to watch him pitch.

"We're very excited to bring Shota on board," Hoyer said. "He's been a great teammate. He is very curious and he has his reputation of being a cerebral pitcher. He's very curious, as he wants to continue to get better and that sounds like a perfect match for the Cubs."

Hoyer added it was a bonus how Imanaga has already embraces the city of Chicago and talked about the great history of Wrigley Field. 

Imanaga's four-year $53 million contract is rather soft. The Cubs can pickup a fifth year option for 2028 after the 2025 or 2026 seasons and if they refuse, Imanaga can opt out as early as 2025. 

If Chicago picks up the team option, he will make a combined $80 million through 2028.  The Yokohama DeNA Baystars also received a $9.8 million posting fee. 

Imanaga said pitching in the 2023 WBC was an inspiration on how much he can improve his pitching and be even better than he already was in Japan with the Baystars. 

He started the final game against USA taking the first two innings before it was a team bullpen relay for Shohei Ohtani to close it out. 

His biggest transition to MLB will be pitching every fifth game as opposed to once a week in Japan. Imanaga said he would keep an open mind for advice to the changes ahead from a technical standpoint to the larger baseball he's holding. Other things in transition include a pitch clock besides hitters who are more power oriented.

While wearing No. 18 is a common tradition in Japan for pitchers as the team ace, Imanaga said in his press conference he wanted to be like Ben Zobrist, who was an important player during their 2016 World Series championship team. 

For the Cubs, they're coming off a season where they competed a year ahead of schedule. A September collapse by their bullpen and rotation prevented the postseason, but a finish at 83-79 is still higher than where most baseball experts had them going into 2023. 

Imanaga projects to be a No. 4 or No. 5 starter behind Justin Steele, James Taillon and Kyle Hendricks. On the back side, Imanaga will be with Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks. They lost Marcus Stroman in free agency to the New York Yankees. 

The Cubs will need to shore up their bullpen and it could be a struggle coming into 2024 with several uncertain names. However, the back of their rotation will also need to develop from within. 

Overall, it has been a slow offseason with Imanaga being their big signing, though they retained Cody Bellinger, who was coming off a comeback season in 2023. 

Seiya Suzuki also finished the 2023 season strong after injuries and adjustments hurt him in 2022.  There was a gaffe in September, which helped the Arizona Diamondbacks take the final postseason spot, but the Cubs have shown they're in it to compete. 

Aside from Imanaga, their biggest pickup was new Manager Craig Counsell, who they plucked away from the Milwaukee Brewers and within the division. David Ross, his predecessor, likely took the Cubs as far as he could. 

The division is easily up for the grabs when the St. Louis Cardinals came off a down season and the others haven't proven they can hang around for 162 games, but Imanaga's role could get them over that hump into the postseason.

He doesn't need to be an ace, but a pitcher to eat innings. As long as he keeps his rotation job and even goes deeper into games the Cubs will take that, especially how he's being paid like a No. 5 starter. 

There is plenty of reason for optimism for both the Cubs and their willingness to go into Japan for players. Hoyer spoke about the last seasons of having Suzuki help them in approaching Imanaga.  

"I think the whole organization has learned a lot from having Seiya from these two years and what things we can do better," Hoyer said. "I think Shota really benefits from us having two years of that experience. Our hope has always been that we want to be a destination for Japanese players. We go above and beyond to make sure that transition goes smoothly."

Previously, the Cubs signed Yu Darvish after the 2017 World Series. Other names include some being infamous for the wrong reasons like Kosuke Fukudome as well as Kyuji Fujikawa and the twilight of Koji Uehara. 

"We probably made some mistakes along the way and improved some things with Seiya, but our hope is that it becomes Seiya and Shota and many more. There are a lot of great players in the NPB and we hope the city of Chicago and Wrigley field and the Cubs will be a destination."

===

Follow us on X @GraveyardBall