Takuya Kai (甲斐拓也) announced his move from the Yomiuri Giants to Rakuten in a cash trade. The treatment of the substantial contract he signed with the Giants at the time of the transfer is now the focus, and the handling of the remaining 3 years and contract value could affect roster planning going forward.
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles announced on 30 October 2026 that they had acquired catcher Takuya Kai (甲斐拓也) from the Yomiuri Giants in a cash trade. The transfer proceeded under the terms of a secondary annual contract, and is expected to affect the financial burden and player-acquisition plans of both clubs.
The 5-year total value of the substantial contract Kai signed with the Giants is reported to be estimated at approximately ¥1.5 billion, based on a 26 December 2024 report by Sponichi Annex. The transfer is in the second year of the contract, with 3 years remaining, but the annual contract amounts and details of performance incentives have not been disclosed. The remaining value of ¥900 million has not been confirmed.
Depending on how the financial burden under the contract is allocated, Rakuten’s future salary obligations could affect its player-acquisition and roster plans, while the Giants could potentially reduce future spending. However, the actual budget and terms have not been disclosed, so no definitive conclusion can be drawn at this stage.
Under Article 105 of the Nippon Professional Baseball regulations, when a player contract is transferred, the rights and obligations pass to the acquiring club. In this case, Rakuten would generally assume the obligations, but the treatment of a multiyear contract must be determined based on the terms of the transfer.
Specific terms governing the financial burden from 2027 onward have not been disclosed, and the provisions alone do not establish that Rakuten will bear the full amount remaining under the contract.