It was revealed on the 30th that Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira (26) has been granted permission to use the posting system for a move to 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 himself on the Major League stage, something he has spoken about many times in the past.

Taira commented through the team, 'I have wanted to play in the Major Leagues for a long time, so I feel like I have finally taken a step toward that goal. During the nine years I played after being drafted, I had a truly enjoyable and wonderful time with the staff and my teammates. These are precious memories that I will never forget.'

General Manager Hiroike, who spoke to the press, said, "pitcher Taira has taken on various roles according to the team's needs and has achieved results to the point of winning titles. I felt that it was now our turn to respond to his requests, and I conveyed that sentiment to him. This year, as a starter, his output did not drop even toward the end of games, and he would shift into an even higher gear during critical situations. It felt as if a closer was pitching from the first inning to the last, and I felt he had reached another level. His strong sense of inquiry and desire for improvement, combined with his high ability to put what he works on into practice, are what make him so incredible."

In my opinion, he is undoubtedly the number one pitcher in NPB. Although his future has not yet been decided, I am truly looking forward to seeing what kind of pitch he will deliver to MLB hitters. I hope he stays injury-free and continues to perform his signature pitch for a long time, he explained.

Taira has been vocal about his 'intended destination' and his desire for the Major Leagues since the 2019 off-season. Since the earliest he can acquire international free agency rights is the 2028 season, he stated during last off-season's contract negotiations, 'I want to go as soon as possible, but I want to contribute significantly to The Lions and produce results so that they will approve my posting.'

He delivered results this season that matched his enthusiasm. Returning to the starting rotation for the first time in two years since 2024, he suffered a left calf injury before the season opener and withdrew from the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Despite being hit by this accident, he started all 23 games he appeared in, leaving behind overwhelming statistics with 12 wins, 5 losses, and a 1.36 ERA. He secured the title for best ERA and was only one win away from the most wins title.

Taira joined the Seibu Lions as a fourth-round draft pick in 2017 from Okinawa's Yaeyama Commercial and Technical High School. After making his first-team debut in 2019, his second year, he showed his presence in 2020 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 became the best reliever with 34 holds. He converted to a starter in 2023 and won 11 games, then switched back to a relief role midway through the 2024 season, and in 2025, he shone as the save leader with 31 saves. This season, he returned to starting and became the center of the team's starting rotation, contributing to their second-place finish in the league.

After the season ended, Taira once again expressed his desire to move to the Major Leagues, stating, 'The world's best players are gathered there, and I want to play in that kind of environment. The treatment and conditions are completely different, so I want to go for those reasons as well. I tell the club every year that I want to go. Since it would be through the posting system (if it were this off-season), it's not my right to decide. I think it depends on the club.' Last off-season, Seibu Lions saw pitcher Tatsuya Imai (28) transfer on a three-year deal worth up to 63 million dollars (approximately 9.9 billion yen at the exchange rate at the time of signing). Although the transfer did not materialize, they also gave pitcher Kona Takahashi (29) the right to challenge for a move. With Taira, the club has now approved the use of the posting system for two consecutive years.

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 posting system allows for official applications from November 1st to December 15th, with a negotiation period of 45 days from the acceptance of the application. However, this season, the MLB collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on December 1st, and a lockout is considered highly likely. Since negotiations and contracts with clubs would become impossible in the event of a lockout, there is a high probability that Taira will reach an early resolution during November.

Among Japanese players, it has already been decided that Hanshin Tigers infielder Teruaki Sato (27) will challenge the Major Leagues via the posting system.

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.

Posting System: A system that allows NPB players to transfer to MLB before acquiring international free agency rights. If the Japanese club approves, the NPB accepts the application and notifies MLB. Negotiations become possible the day after all 30 Major League clubs are notified. A release fee is paid by the MLB club to the Japanese club based on the total contract value. Players under the age of 25 can only sign minor league contracts, and the total amount of signing bonuses and other compensation is restricted. The negotiation period lasts for 45 days.