On the 11th, Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes infielder Kotaro Kobayashi attended contract negotiations at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka, and signed a contract for an annual salary of 95 million yen, an increase of 16 million yen (estimated amount). "If I reach 100 million yen with these performances, I think it will be a problem, so next year I want to leave a breakthrough and become a player who can easily surpass that mark," he said, imagining breaking through the milestone in a year's time.

This season, his sixth year as a pro, he played in 116 games as short stop starting shortstop, batting .260 with 9 Home Run and 43 RBI. He cleared the required number of at-bats for the fifth consecutive year and won his first Golden Glove Award in short stop category. However, he showed no signs of satisfaction, saying, "I still think I have a lot to improve. I want to continue to improve."

He has requested that the team introduce the "Traject Arc" pitch machine. It is a secret weapon that displays an image of pitcher and faithfully reproduces the actual pitch. In the baseball world, players such as Ohtani of the Dodgers use it. "It would definitely be good to use it before a game, as it would help create a good image. I thought it might have a positive effect on the team as a whole, so I would like to ask for it if possible," he said, expressing his hopes.

Next season, both said, "I have to be able to hit with this body," and their goals are to hit 20 Home Run for the first time in their careers and play the full inning in 143 games. They also vowed to regain dominance for the first time in three years, saying, "We want to win the league championship and become the best team in Japan."