Japanese pitcher Kaima Taira eyes MLB jump, drawing interest from Yankees
The Seibu Lions right-hander is set to be posted, but a potential MLB lockout could complicate his transition.
Right-handed pitcher Kaima Taira is taking a significant step toward a potential Major League Baseball career, with his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball, announcing he will be posted.
The Yankees are among the clubs that have scouted the 5-foot-8 Taira, who has experience as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher. Taira, who will turn 27 in November, throws in the mid-to-high 90s. Scouts who observed him this past season suggest his skill set is best suited for a bullpen role, though he performed well as a starter this year.
Any transition for Taira, and other Japanese players seeking to move to MLB this offseason, faces uncertainty due to the impending work stoppage. The collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the players' union is set to expire on December 1, a development expected to trigger a lockout.
If Taira, along with other expected postings like third baseman Teruaki Sato and pitcher Hiromi Itoh, are posted in early November, they would typically have a 45-day window to sign with an MLB team. However, a lockout would likely freeze this window, resuming only after the labor dispute is resolved. The urgency to sign before the December 1 deadline is heightened by the anticipation of a work stoppage.
The Yankees' rotation appears largely set for the upcoming season, but the team has notable questions within its bullpen. Closer David Bednar is set to become a free agent, and while the Yankees could extend a qualifying offer, his return is not guaranteed. Additionally, left-handed pitchers Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough, along with trade deadline acquisitions Michael Fulmer and John Schreiber, will also be free agents. Concerns also exist around right-hander Fernando Cruz, who is recovering from a UCL injury, and Brent Headrick, who showed fatigue late last season. Prospect Carlos Lagrange, a hard-throwing right-hander, has been hampered by a shoulder strain and has yet to make a call-up, though the Yankees view him as a potential starter.
Taira posted a 1.36 ERA in 146 innings in NPB last season. Despite his stature, his repertoire is considered suitable for a starting role by some, although durability has been a point of discussion among evaluators.