The Softbank Hawks, the "strongest" player in the Pacific League, are the only teams among the 12 teams in the Japanese professional baseball league to have a fourth division under the third division. Due to its large squad, nearly 20 new players join the team every year. Softbank selected 19 players in the rookie draft held in October. It officially selected six players and 13 players through fostering. The number is nearly twice as many as that of other teams.스포츠토토
However, Softbank is a team that values fostering and seeks to win the championship every year. It invests generously in strengthening its power every offseason. The Yomiuri Giants have long been a "black hole" sucking up the best players, but Softbank took over. Foreign players also become the best players that no other team can dare. Thanks to this investment, Softbank, which acquired the Daiei Hawks, was able to quickly leap to the top team.
Softbank won the Japan Series seven times over the past 10 years from 2011 to 2020. It won the Japan Series four times in a row between 2017 and 2020. In the 2019 and 2020 Japan Series, it won four consecutive games against the Yomiuri Giants for the second consecutive year. The Yomiuri Giants had deep internal injuries.
There is a shade under the colorful lights.
SoftBank gave up renewing its contract with right-handed pitcher Junpei Takahashi and outfielder Naoki Sato in October last year. Both players were named No. 1 for the past 10 years. As of last year, four players who had been named No. 1 player left the team.
In some cases, the nominated player gives up joining the team. Even if you passed the narrow path of becoming a professional player, you only passed the first gateway. Opportunities come back only when you win a fierce competition. Competition cannot be avoided in the profession, but this process is too difficult for Softbank.
As the main players of pitching and hitting players are recruited from outside, the competition for survival is even fiercer. Only a few players make it to the first team. Every off-season, countless players leave the team without ever playing in the first team.
Infielders Snagawa Richard (25) have been named the "home run king" of the second division for five consecutive years so far this year. He won the home run and RBI title for the second consecutive year between 2022-2023. Nevertheless, he failed to secure a position in the first division. Despite his poor performance in the first division, he did not receive any guarantees for consistent opportunities. He signed a contract after agonizing over whether to leave the team.
This year, Softbank ranked No. 1 in team batting average and scoring among the 12 teams in the two leagues. No. 4 and No. 5 Kondo Kensuke were active. Yamakawa led the league in home runs and RBIs, and Kondo was the only one with a batting average of 300 in the Pacific League.
Kondo, who used to play for the Nippon-Ham Fighters, moved to Softbank last year and became the homerun and RBI king. After Kondo entered the free agent market, there was a scramble. No team can beat Softbank in the money fight. He signed a contract for 7 years to 5 billion yen (46.4 billion won).
Yamakawa left the Seibu Lions after the end of the 2023 season and changed into a Softbank uniform. He signed a contract on the condition that he receive four years to 1.6 billion yen (about 14.85 billion won). He made a solid investment and came back with a solid result. In his first season as a manager, Yamakawa became the home run champion for the fourth time in his career.
With Yuki Yanagita unable to operate normally due to injury, Kondo and Yamakawa, who were recruited as outside FA, led the Softbank lineup.
Gohei Arihara has won the most victories in the Pacific League this season. He had 10 last year and 14 this year. After two years in the Major League, he became a Softbank player. While throwing for Nippon Ham, he flew to the U.S. through the posting system. Upon returning to Japan, he chose Softbank over Nippon Ham. Softbank offered him three years to 1.2 billion yen (11.14 billion won).
SoftBank recently announced the recruitment of right-handers Uwasa and Naoyuki. It started at Nippon Ham and returned after experiencing the Major League this year, and joined hands with SoftBank. Japanese
It is estimated that Ron signed a four-year contract worth 1 billion yen (approximately 9.3 billion won). The Nippon-Ham, who allowed and cheered for Ron in the Major League, feels betrayed.
Three of the four main players brought from outside in the last three years are from Nippon Ham. All four were brought from the same Pacific League team. When Yamakawa played in Seibu's away game this year, boos poured in from the stands at Verunadom.
Softbank has two players who will receive an annual salary of 1 billion yen next year. Mexican closer Roberto Osuna and Cuban national starting pitcher Livan Moinello. Osuna joined Chiba Lotte Marines during the 2022 season and then moved to Softbank that winter. It was possible because Softbank made a bet at a level that Chiba Lotte could not afford.
Even if Softbank is serious about fostering, it is ultimately maintaining its strongest power with the power of money. It is the irony of a team that runs up to the fourth division.
Softbank, an "absolute powerhouse," faltered after it lifted the Japan Series trophy for the last time in 2020. It revived this season by posting the highest winning rate in both leagues under Hiroki Kokubo. It topped the Pacific League for the first time in four years.
Winning the Japan Series for the first time in four years did not seem difficult. However, the team won the first and second games of the series against the Yokohama BayStars and won the fourth consecutive championship. The third-ranked team in the Central League had a nightmare like a lie.