Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Kosei Takahashi (29) met the requirements to become eligible for overseas free agency on the 10th.

He joined Seibu Lions Lions in 2014 as the first overall pick in the draft from Maebashi Ikuei High School. As a cornerstone of pitcher staff, he has appeared in a total of 202 games, putting up a record of 77 wins and 79 losses with ERA of 3.30. This season, he has started all 6 games, maintaining his good form with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses and ERA of 0.84.

Last offseason, he aimed to move to Major League Baseball through the posting system, but ultimately decided to stay with Seibu Lions.

Before practice that day, team general manager Koji Hiroike spoke with the player and revealed their future plans, saying, "Of course, it's the player's right, including the right to become a free agent overseas, but we have always conveyed our stance that we want him to stay. We respect his right, but we also want to have a thorough discussion with him."