Japan's Yokohama, which Imana sent to the ML

ippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Yokohama DeNA Baystars, which sent 'left-handed ace' Shota Imana (30) to the major league, filled the void by recruiting a left-handed fireballer. The Yokohama club announced on the 10th, “We have agreed to sign a contract with Anthony Kay for the 2024 season.” Anthony, who joined the New York Mets with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2016 draft, made his big league debut in Toronto, where he moved to via trade in 2019. Anthony, who played in Toronto until 2022, recorded an ERA of 6.14 with no wins or losses in 16 games for the Chicago Cubs and Mets last year. He has a total of 44 games (7 starts) in the major league with 4 wins, 2 losses, 3 holds, and an ERA of 5.59, and in the minor league, he has a total of 102 games (62 starts) with 23 wins, 27 losses, 7 holds, and an ERA of 4.13. Coincidentally, the news of Yokohama's signing of Anthony was announced on the same day as Imanaga's departure to the Cubs. Imanaga, who played as an ace in Yokohama alone with a total of 165 games over 8 seasons, 64 wins, 50 losses, 4 holds, and an ERA of 3.18, announced his bid for the major league after the end of the 2023 season. After competing with several teams to recruit him, news broke that the Cubs had agreed to a tentative contract with Imanaga. In Yokohama, not only Imanaga but also Trevor Bauer, a Cy Young Award winner who came to the NPB stage last year and recorded 10 wins, 4 losses, and an ERA of 2.76, expressed his intention not to renew his contract with the goal of returning to the major leagues, leaving a big hole in the starting lineup. In addition, left-handed fireballer Edwin Escobar, who played a big role in the bullpen, signed a contract with the Cubs and returned to the major leagues, making it inevitable that his power would weaken. Yokohama, which sent both its left-handed starter and bullpen ace to the Cubs, began to fill the void with left-handed fireballer Anthony, who had previously played for the Cubs. Anthony, who throws a fastball with a maximum speed of 157 km/h and an average speed of 152 km/h, mainly played in the bullpen in the major leagues, but has ample experience as a starter in the minor leagues. Japanese media 'Sponich Annex' said, "Anthony showed excellent strikeout ability by recording 88 strikeouts in 85 ⅓ innings in his big league career. He can play both starting and bullpen roles, so the Yokohama club is considering him as a replacement for Imanaga, who is about to transfer to the major leagues. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said. Meanwhile, Yokohama is busy focusing on strengthening its pitching skills this offseason. Yokohama, which has already recruited former Cubs bullpen pitcher Rowan Wick, added another big league pitcher to its recruitment list following Anthony. 'Sponich Annex' said, "Yokohama is conducting a full-fledged investigation to recruit pitcher Andre Jackson from the Pittsburgh Pirates," and "Yokohama is continuing to reinforce pitchers to win its first championship in 26 years." https://www.totositerank.com