NPB announced an agreement reached between the Orix Buffaloes and the Hanshin Tigers on the 28th. The teams swap mid-career pitchers: the Tigers will deal lefty Yuya Iida (29) to the Buffaloes, who will send righty Keisuke Kobayashi (27) to the Tigers.
Iida joined the Tigers in 2018 after being dealt from the SoftBank Hawks for righty Ryoma Matsuda. Once a development player, he worked his way onto the protected roster in 2014. After the trade, Iida pitched just 6 ⅓ innings on the top squad in his 2.5 seasons with the Tigers, giving up 8 runs, striking out 9 and walking 7. This year on the farm, he appeared in 10 games, pitching 18 innings and striking out 18 with a 3.50 ERA. His role off the field will likely leave a positive impact on the team, though. Iida arranged for young prospect pitcher Masumi Hamachi to do offseason training with all-world pitcher Kodai Senga (Hawks), and helped future ace Haruto Takahashi to appreciate the value of shoulder strengthening.
Upon leaving the Tigers, Iida said, “This is all so sudden and it kind of caught me off guard. My two years with the Tigers were too short, and I’m disappointed that I was not able to meet the fans’ expectations. I hope this change of scenery becomes a good move for me, and I’m going to keep working hard to become a better player, so I hope Tigers fans can keep supporting me.” Iida will wear #39 (Kobayashi’s old number) for the Buffaloes.
Keisuke Kobayashi was chosen by the Buffaloes in the 5th round of the 2016 draft. The righty throws close to 150 km/h and also leans on his forkball. In his rookie year (2017), he made 35 mound appearances but has struggled to find a spot on the top squad roster since then. In 7 games this season, he has a 4.05 ERA (6.2 IP, 3 R) with 5 strikeouts against 5 walks. In 10 farm games, he has a 1.80 ERA this year. He will wear #56 (Iida’s old number) for the Tigers.
About the trade, Kobayashi commented, “My first feelings are shock and surprise, since the trade kind of came out of the blue. I am who I am today because of the Buffaloes, and I will never forget the warm reception I received from Buffaloes fans over the years. Because of this, I will always regret not being able to perform at a higher level for the fans. The only way I can repay the Buffaloes for developing my talent is to perform strongly for the Tigers, who have shown an interest in me. I will do my best to show a newer, better version of myself in my new environment.”
For pictures + his press conference, click here (Japanese only)
Hardly a blockbuster deal, but since neither pitcher was accomplishing much of anything with his current team, perhaps this will help one (or both) of them to meet his potential. Welcome to Hanshin, Kobayashi!
