The Hanshin Tigers announced on the 15th that they have signed right-handed pitcher Joe Gunkel (27) to a contract for next season. A Florida native, Gunkel has never made it up to the majors, but has a 45-39 record with 12 saves in 172 combined minor league games…
Hanshin announced on the 14th that it has reached a deal with former Los Angeles Angels infielder Justin Bour (31). It will be a single-year deal worth $2.5 M (¥275 M), and the hopes are that the slugger will help solve Akihiro Yano’s Tigers run-production problem.
Though Pierce Johnson came to Hanshin to very little fanfare, his outstanding season in the bullpen have fans lamenting his too-quick departure back to America. Read all about him here.
Hanshin signed Solarte to a deal on July 7 that was meant to last through the end of 2019 and possibly beyond… he packed up his belongings and left the country on September 9. (Believe it or not, lots happened in between!)
The 2019 draft picks got their new uniforms today. Below is the list of new numbers given out, as well as the most recent and most famous players to have worn the numbers.