Masayuki Kuwahara (32), outfielder who exercised his free agency rights from DeNA and joined Seibu Lions held an introductory press conference at the team's facilities in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture on the 22nd, and expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to be hungry for victory and show my own style of play."

Dressed in a blue suit, Kuwahara appeared at the press conference with a bright expression. "I received many kind words, and I thought about it a lot, but I really wanted to try playing for The Lions, to play for The Lions. I thought that changing my environment would add more depth to my career. I want to deepen myself even more as a person and as baseball player," he revealed, explaining the reason for his decision.

number is decided to be "7". In the past, Matsui Kazuo also carried a traditional number. "Amazing people have carried it on their backs and pulled the The Lions, so it's not as good as it, but I want to carry that feeling and do my best for The Lions," he vowed.

Kuwahara played as the starting center fielder for DeNA and won the Golden Glove Award twice, but manager Nishiguchi has already stated, "center fielder will be (Nishikawa) Aiya. Kuwahara will be in left or right field." Kuwahara himself said with determination, "I want to seize the position. I want to fulfill my role wherever I'm assigned, and I think that's what being a professional is all about."

Kuwahara joined the Yokohama BayStars in 2011 as the fourth overall pick in the draft from Fukuchiyama Seimei High School. In 2017, he played in 143 games and was named MVP in the 2024 Japan Series, making a significant contribution to the team's first championship in 26 years. This season, he got off to a late start due to a fractured right thumb just before the season began, but he has played in 106 games, recording 6 Home Run, 27 RBI, and a batting average of .284.

At DeNA, he was nicknamed "Gutsman" by fans due to his spirited play.