2028-29 Offseason Updates
Before Free Agents File
* Shizuoka's bench coach, Brian Schneider, has left the organization at the conclusion of his contract. Toshimasa Konta, who has spent four seasons as bench coach in the PL and five as a hitting coach in the industrial leagues, joins the squad.
* 2B Sosuke Genda's option is declined.
* RP Kohei Morihara's option is executed.
* The following players have been non-tendered and will become free agents:
LHP John Means, RHP Ryu Ota, IF Ryuhei Obata, LF Ryuuichi Kono
* The below players will become free agents:
1B Keita Nakagawa, RHP Yugo Umeno, C Shosei Nakamura, 2B Sosuke Genda, 1B Hisanori Yasuda
* The Ehime Honda Comets have acquired 3B Hiroshi Morita and LF Saisaku Ishikawa from the Shizuoka Arrows, yielding SS Meiji Onishi.
* The Japan Series champion Yomiuri Giants have acquired 1B Atsunori Nishiyama and LHP Ryusei Oe from the Shizuoka Arrows in exchange for 1B Ichizo Nishio.
* Arrows 3B Takahiko Arakawa has been named captain for the upcoming season
Awards Season
* First baseman Hisanori Yasuda and second baseman Toyoharu Miyake both won Mitsui Golden Gloves for their efforts
* Closer Danny Bergeron won PL Rookie fo the Year with 15 of 16 first place votes. 80 1/3 IP, 91 Ks, 2.24 ERA, 8-1 record and 23 saves. He's a BOSS.
* Three Arrows earned Eiji Sawamura votes - RHP Ethan Smith (2nd), LHP Tetsuya Yoshimoto (3rd), RHP Michito Nakayama (8th)
* Shizuoka CF Shizue Uchino finished 6th in MVP voting, with Ethan Smith, Tetsuya Yoshimoto, and 3B Takahiko Arakawa also netting votes
First-Year Draft
1. Yoshihide Yonamine, right-handed starter out of Kindai Univ with a good four-pitch mix. He'll be a good component if he develops on time.
2. Yasunaga Suzuki, the best closer in the draft. His curveball and stuff are already major-league grade, and he'll be on a fast track to the majors.
3. Masanori Suzuki, a much-needed center field prospect
4. Jiro Kawasaki, middle-infielder with good speed
5. Masaru Okada, lanky leftie reliever with a high ceiling and high floor. Taking a flier on him.
6. Tetsuo Numata, switch-hitting third baseman who may end up the college route instead. (signed him anyway)
7. Tomehiro Moriguchi, second baseman who could learn 3B. Like the makeup of his bat.
8. Shigeya Nonaka, miscast as an RF, likely plays better as an CF. Speedster. Problem is he wants to go to college, and I'm gonna let him.
9. Shijo Inouye, the usual high-ability catcher
10. Daisuke Kato, best fastball left in the draft. Leftie reliever already throwing 92-94.
Winter Meetings & Adjacent
* The Shizuoka Arrows signed catcher Yasutoki Kato to a minor league deal with a 600K major league option. Kato had a tough year for Hanshin last season (-1.2 WAR), but the previous two had been 1.4+ WAR seasons. The expectation is that he will challenge incumbent Takateru Toyoda for the starting role.
* The Chiba Lotte Marines and Shizuoka Arrows swapped minor leaguers, with the Arrows getting LHP Yonathan Ramirez and CF Shinrikiyaru Mishima.
* The Arrows and Giants made another trade, this time sending catcher Norio Yoshioka for Gold Glove left fielder Shuji Shibata.
* 2B Sosuke Genda returns to the Arrows on a minor league deal.