Yakult Prepared to Trade Giants for the First Time in 44 Years – Professional Baseball: Nikkan Sports

The first, Yakult beat giant Kazuto Taguchi (25) in a one-on-one exchange with infielder Taishi Hirooka (23). The exchange between the two teams has been since December 1976, when the pitchers Keishi Asano and the giant Makoto Kurata. For the second year in a row, he will diligently work on the worst 12-team defense rate and rebuilding starting pitchers, which has become a problem in recent years.

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How unusual was this exchange for Yakult? History tells it. Since the release of infielder Kazushige Nagashima in 1993, he has negotiated with rival giants. When it comes to currency trading, it is the first time in about 44 years since Asano-Kurata in December 1976. Even if the range is extended to the Central League, as Katsunori Nomura’s receiver was handed over to Hanshin in 1999 I have avoided trading within the same league, but this time it worked.

A trade arose during the camp and an electric discharge was set immediately after the end. It’s also a time to thoroughly cut down on tactics like signing for the season, and there’s a chance it might reveal the inside of the hand. Until I was ready for that, I wanted to have a starting rotation candidate.

Hirooka costs 17 million yen, while Taguchi is estimated to have an annual salary of 70 million yen. Although there is a disparity in annual salary, it is a painful release in the current situation where shortstops have not made up their minds. In 2019, he had 10 home runs and was expected to be a shortstop with hitting power. The first army camp also started this season. In the practice match against Hanshin on February 28, he started with the seventh right wing. He also played a game and played third base.

GM Ogawa said in a drastic trade decision: “I have experience in both the opening and the relay. I want you to throw a ball that can help the team. I think there are pros and cons, but I made it a priority to strengthen the team of pitchers. “I was eager to see it. Did the giant live up to the belief that it wouldn’t kill him in later years? Improve team effectiveness, which was the worst for 12 teams for the second year in a row. Yakult was hungry.

◆ Kazuto Taguchi Born in Hiroshima prefecture on September 14, 1995 (Heisei 7). In Hiroshima Shinjo, he joined the representative of Japan’s high school in the summer of the third year. He joined the giant in third place in the 2013 draft. April 11, 2015 First professional pitch against Yakult. 10 wins in 2016 and 13 wins in 2017, double-digit wins for the second year in a row. In 2019, he took a complete turn as a middleman and was chosen for the Japan Premier12 National Team in November. 171 cm, 83 kilos Left handed. The estimated annual salary for this season is 70 million yen.

◆ Taishi Hirooka Born in Osaka prefecture on April 9, 1997 (Heisei 9). At Chiben Gakuen, he participated in Koshien in the spring and summer of the second year. He joined Yakult in second place in the draft in 2015. September 29, 2016 First professional appearance in the DeNA game. Recorded first base on Daisuke Miura’s (currently DeNA coach) first at bat in the same game. At 19 he hit his first double-digit home run. 183 cm, 81 kg. Right handed. The estimated annual salary for this season is 16 million yen.