It was revealed on the 30th that the Seibu Lions have approved the use of the posting system for pitcher Kaima Taira (26) to challenge the Major Leagues. Koji Hiroike (53), the General Manager of the club, disclosed this while speaking to the press at the team's facility in Tokorozawa, Saitama. Taira has now secured the right to challenge the Major League stage, something he has spoken about many times before.

For the Seibu Lions, pitcher Tatsuya Imai (28) already moved to the Astros via the posting system last off-season. If Taira also moves to the Major Leagues, it will mean the loss of an ace-level pitcher for two consecutive years. General Manager Hiroike stated, 'It was a truly difficult decision,' while revealing the reasons for granting approval.

(1) High level of contribution: Taira made his first-team debut in 2019, his second year, and in 2020, he won the Rookie of the Year award with 33 holds and a 1.87 ERA in 54 appearances. In 2021, he was selected for the Japanese national team for the Tokyo Olympics, and in 2022, he was crowned the best reliever with 34 holds. In 2023, he converted to a starter and recorded 11 wins. In 2024, he converted back to a relief role mid-season, and in 2025, he won the most saves title with 31 saves. This season, he returned to the starting rotation as a central figure and won the best ERA title with a 1.36 ERA. Having met the team's expectations by winning titles as a starter, reliever, and closer, General Manager Hiroike explained, "Starting with Rookie of the Year, he won titles as a reliever, then as a closer, and this year he won a title as a starter. He has achieved wonderful results that are rarely seen. Within that, there is little left for him to accomplish in Japan. Since he pitched in various positions to meet the team's requests and achieved the best results, I felt it was now the club's turn to grant his wish."

(2) Taira's burning passion: Taira has been expressing his desire to move to the Major Leagues to the club since the 2019 off-season. In the past, players like Matsuzaka, Makita, Kikuchi, and Imai have moved to the Majors from the Seibu Lions via the posting system. General Manager Hiroike revealed, 'It was a direct fastball. He has been telling us since he was young that he just wants to go. I won't touch on the reasons why, but he just wants to go and do it. He conveyed it in his own way.' While noting that this off-season might be difficult for transfer negotiations due to the lockout, the club decided to respond to his passionate feelings.

(3) Fan's Perspective: General Manager Hiroike said, "I often try to think from a fan's perspective, and since I was also a fan of The Lions myself, I always try to step away from my position as General Manager and consider how I would feel if I were a fan." Will the fans be satisfied? Of course, it is impossible to listen to the thoughts of every single fan, but General Manager Hiroike explained, "If I were a fan, my first thought would be that this should happen after winning the league or becoming the champions of Japan," while adding, "However, considering his performance, what he has achieved, and the various positions he has played, that is how I would feel if I were a fan, so I made the decision as General Manager based on that."

In the American baseball world, he is already highly regarded, ranking around 20th in this off-season's free agent rankings, and some predict a large-scale contract worth approximately 30 million dollars (about 4.7 billion yen) over three years. Given his experience as both a starter and a reliever, there is no doubt he will attract significant interest. The door to Taira's dream is about to open.

Kaima Taira. Born November 15, 1999, in Okinawa Prefecture. 26 years old. Joined the Seibu Lions as a 4th round draft pick in 2017 from Yaeyama Shoko High School. Debuted as a reliever in 2019, and in 2020, won Rookie of the Year with a league-high 54 appearances and a 1.87 ERA. Won 11 games as a starter in 2023. Led the league in saves in 2025. This season, converted back to a starter and achieved the best ERA. 173 cm, 99 kg. Career totals of 325 appearances (including 50 starts), 37 wins, 24 losses, 62 saves, and 111 hold. Right-handed pitcher and batter. number 61. Current season salary is 300 million yen.