[tehsuigi]

All-Stars
* LHP Kikuo Aoki graduated from future star to real start this year, with a 5-1 record, 2.39 ERA, 10.5 K/9, and 2.0 WAR over 75 1/3 IP
* RHP Ethan Smith is the de facto ace of Shizuoka, with a 10-3 record, 2.41 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP over 93 1/3 IP, equivalent to 2.8 WAR
* RHP Danny Bergeron gets the nod for his 4-0 record and 24 saves in 25 opportunities, a microscopic 1.14 ERA, and 11.3 K/9 in 39 2/3 IP, good for a 2.3 WAR
* Rookie DH Kikuo Kawamoto has torn the cover off the ball, slugging 19 HRs with a 165 wRC+ and .288/.358/.637 slash line, good for 1.9 WAR
* CF/RF Shizue Uchino remains a threat with both his bat and feet, with 24 HR and 22 SB already on the season, with a slash line of .252/.331/.525 for 2.5 WAR.

Future Stars
* Last year's first-round selection, RHP Yoshihide Yonamine has a 5-3 record and 4.19 ERA in the notoriously power-heavy AA league. It's good for 2.7 WAR.
* RF Reizo Nishimoto has 16 HR already, with a slash line of .336/.432/.577.

BLOCKBUSTER TRADE BEFORE DEADLINE - INOUE HEADS TO SHIZUOKA

NISHINOMIYA - July 30, 2029

It was only a matter of time before Hanshin left fielder Kota Inoue would leave the team because of his free agent demands. The 27-year-old hit 49 home runs last season, and is closing in on 300 for his career already. The destination, however, was unexpected - the Shizuoka Arrows. Arrows GM tehsuigi had been coveting Inoue for years, and leapt at the chance to bring him aboard.

Joining Inoue in the trade to the Arrows is 35-year-old RHP Taiki Ono, who had a previous successful stint with the team. Ono went to Kirin as a free agent, then was traded with cash to Hanshin in the offseason for 3B Fumio Hata. Hanshin will retain small portions of each of Ono and Inoue's remaining contract years.

Heading back to Hanshin is no small haul: first, 27-year-old RHP Michito Nakayama had three seasons of 2+ WAR, but struggled heavily this season. 26-year-old middle infielder Toyoharu Miyake is a Gold Glove at second base, and three seasons removed from a 3.3 WAR season, but his batting average had slipped in each of the last three. Finally, 27-year-old corner outfielder Kensaku Fujimoto had been blocked at the major league level by other team members, and now gets a chance to start.