In a recent podcast episode, we talked about the man, the legend, Takashi Toritani, who was the first one given his ticket to get out of the Hanshin Tigers organization this offseason. We also pontificated who might also be on that same flight when it is scheduled to depart at the start of December. Here are the results, which will be updated as news takes place. Also, check below the table for some of the stories about these guys and their careers, or at least what caused the team to reach the decision to cut them.
| Name | Age | Position | T-Ray Predicted? | JD Predicted? | Released? On... | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takashi Toritani | 38 | SS/3B | Yes | Yes | Yes. 8/29 | Might retire, might move to another team |
| Efren Navarro | 32 | 1B | Yes | Yes | Yes | Officially released on December 2 |
| Onelki Garcia | 30 | LHP | Yes | Yes | No | Signed a new deal in December |
| Yangervis Solarte | 32 | SS/2B/OF | No | No | Yes. 9/9 | Refused call-up 9/6. No-show 9/7. Left Japan 9/9. |
| Shinji Komiyama | 33 | C | Yes | Yes | Yes. 10/2 | Bullpen catcher for Hanshin in 2020 and beyond |
| Taichi Okazaki | 36 | C | No (or retire) | Yes | No | |
| Yuto Morikoshi | 31 | 2B/SS | Yes | No | Yes. 10/19 | Signed with Seibu Lions in December |
| Naomasa Yohkawa | 28 | 3B/1B/LF | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Fumiya Araki | 31 | 2B/1B | Yes | No | No | |
| Shunsuke | 32 | OF | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Akifumi Takahashi | 36 | RHP | Yes | No | Yes. 9/24 | Announced his retirement |
| Kazuo Itoh | 29 | RHP | Yes | No | No | |
| Hiroaki Saiuchi | 26 | RHP | Yes | No | Yes. 10/2 | Undecided about his future. |
| Shintaro Fujinami | 25 | RHP | No | Yes (trade) | No | |
| Yosuke Okamoto | 33 | RHP | No | Yes | Yes. 10/2 | Hired as Hanshin scout |
| Randy Messenger | 38 | RHP | Maybe | No | Yes (?) 9/14 | Announced his retirement via front office |
| Shintaro Yokota | 24 | OF | No | No | Yes. 9/22 | Announced his retirement |
| Noriharu Yamazaki | 32 | IF | No | No | Yes. 10/2 | Undecided about his future. |
Yuto Morikoshi (2015-19)
Updated: October 19
Yuto Morikoshi was cut by the Chunichi Dragons after the 2014 season, whereupon he was snapped up by the Tigers because of his defensive prowess and ability to play multiple positions. He never truly caught on with the Tigers, and 2017 was his “career year” in which he appeared in 29 games, had his only two extra-base hits as a pro, and tripped over his own bat while running to first base. He is 31 years old, and is considering attending the NPB tryouts next month.
First Round of Cuts
Updated: October 2
The club announced that they would not renew the contracts of 16-year veteran catcher Shinji Komiyama (33). He was picked by the team back in 2003, and made his debut in 2007. Never known for his hitting, he prided himself on having solid defense, though back injuries in recent years have prevented him from playing consistently. Also cut loose was right-handed pitcher Yosuke Okamoto (33). Traded from the Lions for Daiki Enokida in March 2018, Okamoto appeared in 34 games in 2018 but only 3 mediocre mounds this season. Another offseason acquisition, infielder Noriharu Yamazaki (32), was also set loose. He joined the Tigers after he was cut at the end of the 2017 season by the BayStars, but was unable to make an impact during his time here. Finally, 2011 second-round pick Hiroaki Saiuchi (26, RHP) was sent home as well. After a promising debut in 2014 and a decent 2015, Saiuchi was hobbled with injuries and never reached his full potential. Despite coming back from a development player contract, he had not seen the top squad mound since 2016. None of these guys has announced their retirement, but that could happen in the days to come.
Akifumi Takahashi – 2016-19
Updated: September 30
After 15 seasons in the Chunichi Dragons bullpen, Akifumi Takahashi joined this team as a free agent in the 2015 offseason. Having confounded Tomoaki Kanemoto as a hitter, the Tigers manager did not hesitate to sign him and use him regularly in the bullpen during his time at the helm. Two good years were followed by a rough 2018, and due to pain in his left shoulder (which endured 531 games of NPB action), Takahashi decided to end his career at the age of 36. The team is considering having a retirement ceremony for him (likely on the farm).
Update September 30: Takahashi was given a final top-squad mound on the final day of the regular season, and faced one batter, whom he retired.
Shintaro Yokota – 2014-19
Updated: September 24
As the team’s second-round pick in the 2013 draft, Shintaro Yokota was seen as a 5-tool guy who would ultimately be a core player for a decade or more. He made a sensational debut in 2016 with the top squad, but left spring training in 2017 with migraines. Turned out he had brain tumors. After lengthy treatment, he signed a development player contract in 2018, and worked hard for 2 years to come back. Ultimately, blurred vision cut his attempt short at age 24. The team is considering having a retirement ceremony for him (likely on the farm).
Randy Messenger – 2010-19
Updated: September 14
He came to the team as a reliever at the start of the decade, but no one could have imagined his signing would turn out this well. He won more games (98) than any other Tigers pitcher since his arrival, sits in fifth place among all Tigers pitchers in career strikeouts (and number one among all foreigners in NPB history), and has been a leader on the pitching staff for years. Unfortunately, he struggled this year, had treatment on his shoulder in late July, and did not have any good rehab starts on the farm. After the last of those, he told the team he wanted to retire, and they accepted his wish. We are happy for his contributions but are obviously sad to know that this year is his last.
Yangervis Solarte – 2019
Updated: September 14
Signed in early July to bring some life to an unproductive lineup, Solarte arrived on July 20, made his debut on the 26th (hitting the game-winning home run in Tokyo), and in his Koshien debut four days later, hit a come-from-behind walk-off home run. His defense was porous at times, and his average was not very high, but he got farmed after just 20 games on the top squad. Apparently, he was pretty disappointed with that move, because on September 6, he rejected the team calling him up to the top squad, and the next day, did not show up for practice. His release is just a matter of time, and could happen early this coming week.
Update 9/9: It happened. The team announced his dismissal, and he also left the country today. Photographic evidence here:
Update 9/14: His most recent Instagram post has him in San Diego.
Takashi Toritani – 2004-19
Updated: September 8
Read his full profile on his player page, which will be transferred to the “Legendary Players” section at season’s end. No time for that? Then you need to know a few things about him. 1) He holds the club record for most career hits, and will for at least another 15 years; 2) He has the second-longest ironman streak in NPB history; 3) He did so almost exclusively at shortstop, also while playing 667 straight complete games; 4) He has made ¥2 billion total in the past five years, while not producing well in three (some would say four) of those. The team announced its decision relatively hastily (on August 30), but the writing had been on the wall for most of this year. He will be missed, but his current playing level makes his release understandable.