On the 2nd, the Seibu Lions officially announced that pitcher Kona Takahashi has decided to exercise his international free agency rights. Through the team, he released a statement saying, 'After considering my future baseball career and prioritizing my own feelings about what I want to do, I have decided to exercise these rights.' The full text of the comment follows.

[pitcher Kona Takahashi]

I am filled with gratitude toward the many people who have supported me, allowing me to continue pitching on the first-team stage without any major injuries until now. Regarding my free agency rights, after considering my future baseball life and prioritizing my own feelings about what I want to do, I have decided to exercise them.

I was honestly happy to receive words from the team saying, "Thank you for pitching for The Lions all this time." I believe that I am who I am today because they continued to use me even during difficult times. I am truly grateful.

The twelve years I spent with The Lions were filled with many experiences, but they passed by in the blink of an eye. Each person's individuality was respected, and I was allowed to play freely. I feel that it was precisely because of that environment that I was able to develop my own strengths.

I am truly grateful to all the fans for supporting me through both good times and bad. I especially love and have a strong impression of the moment I head to the mound in the ninth inning, when my entrance music plays and the loud cheers push me forward as if saying, 'Go get 'em.'

During the years when I couldn't win a single game, I felt a deep sense of personal struggle and felt that I had failed to meet the expectations of many people. While I received some harsh words, what remains in my heart even now is the encouragement from those who told me, 'You can do it' and 'You still have more in you.' Having people stand by me and continue to offer words of support even when the results weren't what I hoped for was truly reassuring. It was only because of everyone's support that I was able to keep pitching until now. I am truly grateful. Thank you very much.

On this day, the player himself visited the team facilities in Tokorozawa City, Saitama, to meet with General Manager Hiroike and submit the application documents. When asked by the press if he had submitted them, he acknowledged it by replying, 'Yes.'

Last offseason, he remained with the Seibu Lions despite being granted permission to move to the Major Leagues via the posting system. When he spoke to the press at the team's facility in Tokorozawa, Saitama on the 20th, he showed his affection for the team, saying, 'Of course, I like The Lions and feel an attachment to them. I am truly grateful because I was allowed to do so many things and play freely, which is definitely how I got to this point.' Regarding his future, he said, 'This is the first time I've been in a situation with so many options. Compared to last year, I can go anywhere, and since I hold international free agency rights, I think there is more to consider than last year.'

In this season, his 12th year as a professional, he made 22 starts and recorded 9 wins and 6 losses with an ERA of 2.54.