Softbank. Nao Higashihama pitcher (35) announced his intention to exercise his domestic free agent (FA) rights on July 7. He visited the team's office in the Mizuho Pay-Pay Dome and submitted his application.
"I've been playing for The Hawks for 13 years, but I still have a strong desire to pitch well on the first team stage. I want to be a starter," he said, explaining the reason for his decision.
Higashihama graduated from Okinawa Shogaku High School to Asia University and joined the team as the first pick in the 2012 draft. In 2017, he was named the team's most-winner with 16 wins, and has a total of 76 wins and 46 losses ERA 3.30. This season, he has not been able to establish himself in the starting rotation, with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses in 7 games with ERA 2.51. He was on the bench as a reliever pitcher in the Japan Series but did not get a chance to play. In Western League has a record of 7 wins and 3 losses ERA 1.85.
His estimated annual salary this season is 150 million yen, and he is considered a B-rank player who would require financial or personnel compensation to acquire. The team has informed him that they are preparing a contract for next season and have also accepted his declaration of remaining with the team.
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