New Rakuten Eagles Chiharu Tanaka pitcher (25) held a joining press conference in Nago City, Okinawa on the 30th. Rakuten Eagles exercised his overseas FA (free agent) rights and transferred to Norimoto with personal compensation for entering The Giants. number is "29", and the start of the first team camp in Kinbu Town, Okinawa has been decided. The right-hander, who is expected to be used as a relief, has set a goal of more than 50 appearances & ERA 1 point, and is looking forward to a leap in return.

Dressed in a new uniform, Tanaka Sen looked straight ahead. He joined the team as compensation for Norimoto. He was confused at first when the transfer was decided, but he has no doubts now. He has gotten over it. "I was determined to get a position with the Giants, so I was hesitant at first, but I'm really happy that they need me (Rakuten Eagles). I'm sure there will be more opportunities, so I'm really grateful," he said, vowing to make great strides in his new home.

Although he made appearances in the first team from his rookie year, he did not pitch in the first team last year due to the effects of surgery to clean his right elbow. Still, armed with a fastball in the 150 km/h range and a sharply dropping fork, he made 36 appearances in the second team, posting a respectable ERA of 1.51. GM Ishii commented, "His fastball is strong. His numbers are slightly lower than when he debuted, but there are also factors that could improve. He also has a vertical change of pace, which is a strength we don't have," and is considering using him as a relief pitcher. Tanaka Sen also set a goal, saying, "If I'm reliever, I want to pitch 50 times and have an ERA in the 1.00 range." He will be venting his frustration at not being able to make it to the first team last season.

Doing well will be a way to repay the favor to his former team. The games against The Giants are in the interleague games and the Japan Series. Tanaka Sen, who had dinner with The Giants pitcher Asano on the 29th, revealed with a smile, "(Asano) told me to pitch all straight pitches," and added, "I understand the characteristics of each (The Giants) player better than other teams," expanding on the image of "defeating the Giants."

He was beloved by The Giants, even singing Yutaka Ozaki's "I LOVE YOU" at the Giants fan festival. When asked about the prospect of showing off his singing voice in his new home, he grinned and said, "Please wait." He had already researched that Rakuten Eagles 's Uchi sings and plays guitar. He humbly replied, "I'll hand it over to Uchi," but when asked about a collaboration, he envisioned a "co-starring" situation, saying, "That would certainly be fun if we could do that." He is starting his fourth year as a pro with a fresh start. He has established a solid place for himself and is sure to excite the Tohoku region. (Miyauchi Kota)

Related News

​Photo: [Photo] G-Party applauds the performance of "I LOVE YOU" at the Tokyo D.
​Rakuten Eagles] Kazuhisa Ishii, GM, reveals the "decisive factor" in acquiring Chiharu Tanaka: "Strength that we don't have..." Currently, the team is using him as a reliever.
​Rakuten Eagles] Contreras, a new right-hander, held a press conference to announce that he will play one year without injury and is expected to be in the starting rotation.
​Rakuten Eagles】 Chiharu Tanaka, who joined the team from The Giants, will start first-team camp. "I will wave my arm so that we can win the championship.
​Rakuten Eagles】 Chiharu Tanaka, who joined the team from The Giants as human compensation, "pitched in 50 games, ERA scored one run" number is 29...Press conference