On the 18th, Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Taishi Mameda attended contract renewal negotiations at the team office in Tokorozawa, Saitama, and signed for 7.5 million yen (all amounts are estimates), a 500,000 yen reduction.

In his fifth season this season, he only pitched in three games towards the end of the season. In preparation for next season, he traveled to Puerto Rico in November to take part in the winter league. He pitched in six games, striking out 24 struck out in 23 inning. "I got a lot of confidence out of my fastballs, so they weren't even knocking them away. It was a good experience," he said, feeling confident that his signature spin-heavy "short straight ball" from his right arm was working.

"I don't want to be looked down upon," he said with a small laugh, referring to the beard he grew in Puerto Rico, "I'll shave it off before camp." With Taira's return to the starting lineup, bullpen will be thinned and the team is currently without a closer. "I'd like to aim for it if possible," he said, looking ahead to his sixth season next year.