A decision made after careful consideration…It also reveals that he was asked to inherit manager Abe’s jersey number “10”
Catcher Takuya Kai, who was exercising his domestic free agent rights from Softbank, has decided to transfer to the Giants. On the 17th, attorney Tatsuma Sakai, who represented him, gave a report at Mizuho PayPay Dome. Afterwards, in an interview, he explained, “I had received a very good offer from the Hawks, and I was thinking about it until the last minute. I wanted to take on a new challenge.”
Kai joined Softbank from Yoshikan High School in Oita in the 6th place in the 2010 training draft. In November 2013, he was registered under discipline, and from 2017 he became a full member of the first army. Since the same year, he has won the Golden Glove Award seven times, including six years in a row. He also experienced the best in the world at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He played in 119 games this season, leading the league for the first time in four years with a .256 batting average, 5 home runs, and 43 RBI.
On this day, Mr. Sakai visited the team office and reported to GM Sugihiko Mikasa that he would be transferred. Afterwards, in an interview, he revealed, “I think the very warm words I received from Director Abe also applied to him.” Manager Shinnosuke Abe asked him to wear the number 10 on his back when he was an active player, and he said, “He is the epitome of a catcher who can hit, and he highly evaluated my defensive ability as a catcher, and he said. , “I want him to come.” I think he really enjoyed being able to hear from you,” he said.
GM Mikasa explained that during the negotiations he was told, “I want him to make his own choice, and I want him to think about it in a way that is in his own interest,” and “I want him to . think of ways he can make big progress as a football player.” but I think that was also the case.”
On November 13, Kai declared the exercise of domestic free agent rights. “I think it’s a one-time right, and I’ve been playing baseball so far, and this is the only time in my baseball career. I think it’s going to be a big decision, but I want to hear different stories.” The team they chose was the Giants, led by coach Shinnosuke Abe. After more than a month of discussion, I decided to transfer.
(Full Count Editorial Department)