A total of 1.5 billion yen for 5 years + volume contract “if FA next year is normal”
Infielder Sosuke Genda of Seibu, who is expected to acquire domestic FA rights within the next season, signed a five-year contract on the 26th with an annual salary of 300 million yen, an increase of 110 million yen next season, and a total of 1.5 billion yen plus sales volume (amount is an estimate). In Seibu, there is a constant outflow of main force due to FA, and Tomoya Mori, a regular catcher who acquired domestic FA rights this season, also transferred to Orix. GM Hisanobu Watanabe, the head of the organization, is deeply moved.
“The free agency is next year, but I really want him to stay, so I offered him a multi-year contract a year early. I think it’s normal,” said GM Watanabe. “He’s a key player in defense, and if he misses that point, it becomes difficult for the team. I think he also understood my feelings,” he said with a sigh of relief.
GM Watanabe served as manager for six years until 2013, following which he took over as senior director in 2014 and has been involved in the organization of the team. It has been his current title since 2019. “Gen-chan was the ninth hitter when he was an amateur (at Toyota Motor Corporation). Hitting was secondary, and I felt like he would have gotten better if he entered the pros. He was a player who won only on defense.” To be honest, I didn’t think that I would be able to keep a stable batting average of regarding 20% and 7 minutes.The professional waters are good, the coaches are good, and the players who have only seen hits before the left can pull. I’ve been watching for a long time, and I have a feeling that I’ve become a player so far, “he recalled. Genda will be 34 years old in the final year of his five-year contract, but GM Watanabe gives his stamp of approval, saying, “I’m totally fine. I think there’s still room for growth following that.”
Seibu’s outflow to other teams (including the United States) by FA reaches 20 people, the highest number of 12 teams, including Mori this year. After GM Watanabe entered the front, pitcher Takayuki Kishi (currently Rakuten), infielder Eito Asamura (currently Rakuten), catcher Ginjiro Sumitani (currently Rakuten), and outfielder Shogo Akiyama (currently Hiroshima) left. It cannot be said that he is rich in funds, and he is in a difficult position. “They all grew up in Seibu, so from my point of view, of course, I want to play with them until the very end. It’s a team that’s progressing in a place where opportunities are created and young people grow, so I want to look forward without thinking only regarding negative things.”
On the other hand, it is also true that the number of successful detainment cases is increasing little by little. In this off-season, infielder Shuta Tonozaki, who acquired domestic FA rights during this season, decided to remain on a four-year contract. In the 2020 off season, the guardian god pitcher Tatsushi Masuda signed a 4-year contract, outfielder Takumi Kuriyama signed a 3-year contract, and last year off, infielder Takeya Nakamura signed a 2-year contract. GM Watanabe nodded, “I am very grateful. There are various conditions, including the financial aspect, but to put it simply, I wonder if the sincerity has been conveyed.” However, he is not optimistic regarding the future. The next big issue is how to retain infielder Hodaka Yamakawa, the main gun who is expected to acquire domestic FA rights in the next season.
(Hirohisa Miyawaki)
