2024-04-02 06:01:03
Text: Editorial Cuba Noticias 360
Foto: RL Hevia
The quality of the formidable left-hander from Pinar del Río, Liván Moinelo, is beyond all discussion and the Softbank Falcons made it known by offering him a contract renewal that will make him the highest paid player in the history of the Japanese League.
According to information from the Japanese media, the Fukuoka franchise assured the permanence of the 28-year-old pitcher in its ranks for four more seasons and four thousand yen (26.4 million dollars), in an agreement that would come into force from from 2025.
In this way, the 28-year-old left-hander would earn approximately 6.5 million dollars per campaign, a figure similar to what Mexican Roberto Osuna will begin to earn this season, who also defends the colors of the Falcons.
Moinelo arrived at the Softbank discipline very young and after seven seasons there is no doubt that he is one of the best arms on the circuit. His work as a closer and setter in recent years places him among the best in those tasks, although starting this season he will move to the starting rotation of his team.
So far, his stat sheet shows 19 successes, a number that should increase quickly in his new role. However, what is most striking about his numbers are the 300.1 innings of work in 306 challenges, with 40 saves and 135 holds.
The pitcher from the San Juan y Martínez municipality has not worked officially in Japan since last July, when he had to undergo surgery to correct a discomfort in the elbow of his throwing arm, an injury he suffered for the first time in 2021.
However, once recovered, he reappeared as Artemisa’s reinforcement in the Elite League playoffs at the beginning of January, where he showed himself to be well above the level of the rivals he faced.
With this new contract, the Halcones also try to protect one of their star pitchers, and in the process prevent something similar from happening to the case of Yariel Rodríguez from Camagüey, who in March 2023 abandoned the pact he had with the Chunichi Dragons, to leave to look for a signature in the Major Leagues.