On the 5th, Seibu announced that pitcher Mitsunari Takahashi (28) has been approved to transfer to the majors using the posting system this offseason. Takahashi commented through the team, "I'm truly grateful to the team for supporting me in this challenge. I'm glad that they respected my wishes. I'll do my best so that I can be sure that this decision was not a mistake. I've always expressed my feelings to the team, and it's a place that's been a dream of mine for a long time, so I'm truly grateful for this opportunity."

Hiroike, the team's general manager, explained the reasons for approving the challenge, saying, "He joined the team as the first draft pick, and I think he has pitched really well since his first year. He may not have been completely satisfied with his results over the past two years, but we have always felt his strong will during that time, and we have decided to respect that will and allow him to take on the challenge this time. He is pitcher who can be trusted with many inning and who can control the game well, so to be honest, we would like him to continue playing for The Lions next season and beyond, but based on his wishes, which he has previously expressed, we have decided that this year is the right time for him to take on the challenge."

Takahashi joined Seibu as the first pick in the 2014 draft from Maebashi Ikuei High School. In his 11th year as a professional, he hoped to bounce back from last season's 0-11 record, and this season he pitched in 24 games with a record of 8 wins and 9 losses and an ERA of 3.04. On October 27th, the final day of fall practice, he said, "It hasn't been decided yet, so I can't say anything definite. I'll let you know properly once it's been decided."

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