Hanshin has made clear that it will not allow pitcher Saiki Hiroto (才木浩人) to move to MLB through the posting system this offseason. The team has also issued comments expressing expectations for his performance in next season’s rotation, based on his results last season.
On the 3rd, Hanshin general manager Shimamura Satoshi (嶋村聡) stated that the team would not allow pitcher Saiki Hiroto (才木浩人) to move to MLB through the posting system this offseason. While the team approved infielder Sato Teruaki’s (佐藤輝明) bid to play in MLB during the previous offseason, it repeatedly explained that Saiki would be treated as an individual case.
This season, Saiki recorded 175 strikeouts, went 10-5 and posted a 2.51 ERA, achieving double-digit wins for the second consecutive year. He contributed to Hanshin becoming the first team in club history to win consecutive Central League titles and is expected to continue performing as part of the rotation next season.
Saiki is scheduled to turn 28 on the 7th, and the team explained that its policy on offseason moves would be treated as a club right. Readers will be watching the composition of Hanshin’s starting rotation next season, as well as Saiki’s contract status and future.