Orix Taisuke Yamaoka pitcher (30) officially announced on the 2nd that he will not exercise his domestic FA rights, which he acquired in May, as reported in this paper, and will remain in Japan. He signed a one-year contract with an increased annual salary of 68 million yen. He revealed that the biggest reason for his decision was the presence of Mamoru Kishida (44), his manager.
"I want to do my best with Orix next year too. The biggest thing for me is that I have Mamo-san (Manager Kishida) here." Both are home-grown players and seniors whom Kishida has respected since his playing days. He reported this directly to him before autumn practice on this day. This season he pitched in 41 games as a relief pitcher, but it has also been decided that he will return to the starting lineup. He was immediately given a quota: "Thank you for staying. 13 wins!" and he vigorously "revised" it upwards to "15 wins."
The team prepared to quickly negotiate with him on October 18th, six days after the end of the schedule. He joined the team as the first pick in the 2016 draft from Tokyo Gas, and GM Fukura was the manager at the time. His passionate words, "Why don't we give it another go?", stung. "Fukura-san is definitely one of the factors that will stay." He was evaluated as a necessary force for the team's first championship in three years, and he decided to repay the favor.
The right-handed pitcher won the title for the best winning percentage in 2019 with 13 wins and 4 losses. "He's been away from the starting lineup for about two and a half years, so I'll fill that gap. I want to make Mamo the best manager in Japan," he said with a sparkle in his eyes. He is a star player who has supported the team since the slump. He will be living up to his word in his 10th year as a professional. (Osada Toru)
Manager Kishida was pleased that Yamaoka would stay. He was informed of the news in person before the fall training session at Maishima in Osaka, and expressed his gratitude, saying, "I'm very grateful. I think he made the decision with the best interests of the team in mind." He also decided to use Yamaoka as a starter again from next season. Before deciding to keep him, the manager met with Yamaoka, who told him, "For Mamo, I'll pitch wherever you tell me to." He expressed his hopes for Yamaoka to work hard again, saying, "I'm sure he really wants to win. I'm sure he'll work hard again."
Related News
・ [Orix] Taisuke Yamaoka officially announces his intention to stay with the team, saying, "Mamo-san will be the best manager in Japan." He will not exercise his domestic free agent rights, but will return to the starting lineup next season.
・ [Orix] Kosei Yoshida, who is aiming to recover from right elbow surgery, vows to be in the first team at the start of next season: "As long as I remain under contract, I have a responsibility to be in the first team from the start of the season."
・ "Since he won the Rookie of the Year award, I want to win it too," says Lotte's second-round draft pick Kaito Mori, looking forward to a pitching match with his high school senior, Orix 's Shumpeita Yamashita
・ [Orix] Taisuke Yamaoka will not exercise his domestic free agent rights and will remain with the team. An official announcement will be made soon. Sho Iwasaki, who has acquired overseas free agent rights, will also remain with the team.
・ [Orix] Negotiations with Taisuke Yamaoka who has domestic free agent rights, to stay with the team. It appears he is a C-rank player, with no compensation in terms of personnel or money.
