Seibu Lions Lions General Manager Hiroike responded to reporters' questions on the 22nd, explaining the submission of the protected list in connection with the free agent transfer of outfielder Masayuki Kuwahara (32) from the Yokohama DeNA BayStars: "The contract is finalized today. We want to make the announcement promptly and submit the list promptly as well. It won't be carried over into the new year." Kuwahara is considered a "B-rank" player who will be subject to compensation, and therefore the protected list had to be submitted after the contract was finalized and announced.

The acquisition of Kuwabara was officially announced on November 28th. After the press conference that day, it was announced as "Free Agent Declaration and Agreement to Sign Player Contract." As of December 12th, Kuwabara said, "(The announcement) will be made after the contract is completed. Our order of business is to conduct a thorough physical check, so we'll have to keep him waiting for a while."