Japan’s pro baseball world has officially entered the heart of the offseason —
and as always, this time of year is packed with roster moves, free-agent drama, and trade speculation.
Here’s a simple, all-in-one roundup of the biggest headlines through November 13, covering releases, FA buzz, team investigations, and more.
🔥 Player Releases & Non-Tenders
◆ DeNA: Austin & Ford Become Free Agents
Slugger Tyler Austin and outfielder Justin Ford are both parting ways with DeNA.
Austin, in particular, is already drawing interest from multiple teams, and his next landing spot is becoming one of the offseason’s early storylines.
Yokohama’s lineup could look very different next season.
◆ SoftBank: Bando Released → Likely Headed to Giants on a Development Contract
Right-hander Yugo Bando is expected to sign a developmental deal with the Yomiuri Giants.
Meanwhile, SoftBank is set to acquire lefty Ryuji Kitaura, who was recently released by the Giants.
Kitaura is viewed as a potential bullpen revival project — almost like the two clubs exchanged needs without an official trade.
◆ Lotte: Looking Into Hayate Miyazaki
Lotte is investigating former SoftBank reliever Hayate Miyazaki.
He’s seen as a possible piece to strengthen their middle-relief depth.
📝 Free Agency & Transfer Rumors
◆ Yakult: Evaluating Seibu’s Montel
Despite being released, Montel is still regarded as a pitcher with real upside.
Many fans have questioned why Seibu cut him, and a change of scenery could unlock his potential.
◆ Chunichi: Expected to Acquire Shohei Abe
No, not Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe — this is infielder Shohei Abe, formerly of the Yomiuri Giants.
With his return to the Central League, some Hanshin fans are already posting, “Uh-oh… he might become a problem for us.”
◆ Giants: Progress in Talks With Ryuji Kitaura
The Giants remain interested in left-hander Kitaura, who had been let go by Nippon-Ham.
Social media has been buzzing with his small “connection” to Kotaro Kiyomiya, and the Giants appear intent on upgrading their left-handed bullpen options.
◆ MLB Padres: Potential Sale Raises Concerns for Japanese Players
Reports of a possible Padres ownership sale have sparked concern among fans following Japanese players like Yu Darvish and Tatsuya Imai.
MLB team situations often ripple out to Japanese talent, so this is a story worth watching.
🏅 Amateur & College Baseball
◆ Industrial League Championship: Yamaha Takes the Title
Yamaha captured the championship behind a complete-game performance from Ren Sato.
JR Tokai was eliminated in the second round, officially ending their season.
◆ Meiji Jingu Tournament Begins
Day 1 featured a strong slate of matchups:
- Eimei vs. Teikyo Nagaoka
- Yamanashi Gakuin vs. Teikyo (High School)
- Ritsumeikan University vs. Tokyo Nodai Hokkaido
- Nippon Bunri University vs. Bukkyo University
Several draft prospects are already drawing national attention.
🎌 Other Highlights
- Japan Series Recap: SoftBank defeated Hanshin to capture their 12th Japan Series title — their first in five years.
A senryu (comic poem) contest linked to the series even went viral on social media. - X (Twitter) Baseball Trends:
Youth baseball “growth happens suddenly” pep-talk posts and jokes about “too many mascots” from ProTips brought a lighter vibe to the off-season timeline.
🔮 Final Thoughts: Are We Heading Toward a Major Shift in 2025?
With free agents, non-tenders, releases, and even MLB ownership news overlapping,
this year’s Stove League already feels more chaotic — and more exciting — than usual.
Next season might just be the year when the identity of all 12 NPB teams shifts more than expected.
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