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Rakuten Releases 5 More Players

Discussion in the NPB News forum
Rakuten Releases 5 More Players
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, whom just released 6 players recently (mentioned in this thread), have released 5 more players on September 27th. The players notified of their release were:

C Kouji Takahashi
C Masashi Chikazawa
C Hisahiko Irino
IF Osamu Hoshino
OF Masaya Kojima

Including the foreign players that were released, the total number of players released this year by Rakuten comes to 16.

[Original Artcile from Nikkan Sports (in Japanese)]
Comments
Re: Rakuten Releases 5 More Players
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Sep 28, 2005 4:49 PM | SL Fan ]

Wow, I wonder who they plan on signing to fill out the roster next year.

MLB returnees? NPB clubs usually hold rights on them, right?

Shikoku Island Leaguers? That'd be cool, if any are up to NPB level.

NPB drafts are so short that they can net a few players through that.
Re: Rakuten Releases 5 More Players
[ Author: torakichi | Posted: Sep 28, 2005 9:56 PM | HT Fan ]

Mikitani has cash. What's to say they're not going to make serious bids for other teams' free agents?
Re: Rakuten Releases 5 More Players
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Sep 29, 2005 1:30 PM | SL Fan ]

He sure didn't seem willing to part with the cash last off-season. But I sure hope he will pursue free agents to make the Eagles a respectable team.
Re: Rakuten Releases 5 More Players
[ Author: Guest: John Brooks | Posted: Sep 29, 2005 10:58 PM ]

- He sure didn't seem willing to part with the cash last off-season.

Last year was different in my mind, as it was their first year. I still think Rakuten can win in the near future. I just don't like the Hirooka hiring as it sends the wrong message in my opinion.

Rakuten posted a gain this year, and I expect them to make some bids for free agents. Mikitani should go after some this year.
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