This offseason, Seibu Lions' Kaima Taira aims to move to the Major Leagues using the posting system, while Kona Takahashi has announced his intention to exercise his international free agency rights. Taira pitched 146 innings this season, recording 12 wins, 5 losses, and a 1.36 ERA, while Takahashi pitched 138 1/3 innings with 9 wins, 6 losses, and a 2.54 ERA.

If both players were to leave at once this off-season, it would be a significant blow to the team. However, it is certain that the Seibu Lions' starting rotation is rich in talent. Chihiro Sumida pitched a team-high 166 1/3 innings this season, recording 10 wins, 8 losses, and a 2.27 ERA, while Natsuki Takeuchi also pitched 143 innings, recording 11 wins, 8 losses, and a 3.27 ERA.

Yutaro Watanabe, who pitched 127 innings this season, underwent arthroscopic cleaning surgery on his right elbow at a hospital in Tokyo on October 20th to improve his physical condition. It is expected to take four months to return to game action, making it uncertain if he will be ready for the season opener, but there are three pitchers who threw over 100 innings among the pitching staff, excluding Taira and Takahashi.

Sumida and Takeuchi have become the core of the rotation, and the question is how many innings young players like Shinya Sugai and Sou Sato can add to that. Furthermore, if Hibiki Shinohara—who made 46 relief appearances this season with a record of 3 wins, 3 losses, 31 holds, 1 save, and a 2.22 ERA—challenges himself as a starter next year after succeeding in the bullpen, much like Yoshinobu Yamamoto did during his time with the Orix Buffaloes, there will be high expectations.

In the draft, they selected ready-to-play pitchers for their top three picks: Keito Kawajiri (Asia University) in the first round, Seiya Kakimoto (Panasonic) in the second, and Yusuke Sawayama (Yamaha) in the third. It gives the impression that the draft was conducted with the potential departures of Takahashi and Taira via free agency or the posting system in mind. It will be exciting to see what the starting rotation looks like next season.