SoftBank Finalizes Pay-Cut Deals for Imamiya and Kurihara as Seibu Pursues Submarine Pitcher Takahashi

Overview

• Kenta Imamiya signed for an estimated ¥200 million plus incentives after a ¥100 million reduction.
• Imamiya is rehabbing a left calf injury and plans to skip the Miyazaki spring camp as he prepares to try all infield positions next season.
• Ryoya Kurihara agreed to an estimated ¥140 million after a ¥10 million cut and was named the Hawks’ players’ representative following a November back surgery.
• Seibu says it is moving to acquire ex-Giants right-hander Rei Takahashi on a developmental contract, valuing his rare submarine delivery and experience as both a starter and reliever.
• Yomiuri recently released Takahashi, and Seibu’s prospective signing has not been finalized.