Softbank ・ Nao Higashihama pitcher, who exercised his domestic free agent (FA) rights, revealed that his agent was contacted by several baseball teams interested in acquiring him on March 18. He attended the team's golf tournament in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. I've heard that there have been some approaches (from agents), but the details have yet to be worked out. I really don't know what will happen, so I'm trying to stay calm.
Higashihama graduated from Okinawa Shogaku High School to Asia University, and joined Softbank as the first pick in the 2012 draft. In 2017, he won 16 games and earned the title for most wins. In 13 years as a professional, he had a total of 76 wins and 46 losses, ERA 3.30. This season, the final year of his three-year contract, he was unable to establish himself in the starting rotation, with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses in 7 games with ERA of 2.51. He was in bullpen as a reliever pitcher in the Japan Series, but did not get a chance to play. In Western League, he had a record of 7 wins and 3 losses in 13 games with ERA 1.85. He declared free agency, seeking opportunities to play as a starter, saying, "I want to pitch as much as I can at the forefront."
His estimated annual salary is 150 million yen, and he is considered a B-rank player, which requires monetary or personnel compensation. The team has already presented him with terms for next season, and is also open to him declaring his intention to stay.
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