Seibu Lions announced on the 4th that they have reached an agreement with pitcher Kosei Takahashi on a contract for this season.

Team General Manager Hiroike commented through the team, "We are encouraged that Takahashi chose to play for The Lions this season despite having offers for a major league contract. pitcher Kona Takahashi is a very valuable asset to the team. I believe he will approach the season with strong determination, and I expect him to achieve career-high results and make a great contribution to the team's win."

Kosei Takahashi joined Seibu Lions in 2014 as their first overall draft pick. In his rookie year in 2015, he recorded 5 wins, including his first professional win, and in his fifth year, 2019, he achieved his first double-digit win. In 2020, he reached the required number innings pitched for the first time in his career, and from that year onward, he reached the required innings pitched for four consecutive years, pitching 175 2/3 innings in 2022. He achieved double-digit win for three consecutive years from 2021, and in 2022, he recorded a career-high 12 wins in a single season. In 2024, he struggled, appearing in 15 games with a record of 0 wins and 11 losses and ERA of 3.87, but last season he pitched in 24 games and 148 innings, recording a record of 8 wins and 9 losses and ERA of 3.04.