From a '97-loss collapse to five consecutive postseason eliminations': Lee Jung-hoo's San Francisco Giants target two Japanese aces simultaneously! A 172-cm right-handed power pitcher faces competition from "at least 15 teams"

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The San Francisco Giants, featuring Lee Jung-hoo (28), are moving to bolster their pitching staff after a dismal 2026 season. Two candidates have simultaneously emerged: Ito Hiromi (29, Nippon-Ham Fighters) and Taira Kaima (27, Seibu Lions), both right-handed pitchers representing the pinnacle of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Japanese media outlet Sankei Sports reported on the 18th that "Ito and Taira have surfaced as acquisition candidates for San Francisco this winter." Another Japanese outlet, Full Count, stated, "At least 15 Major League teams are showing interest in Taira. San Francisco is one of the teams that has entered that competition."

The reason San Francisco is seeking pitchers is clear. The San Francisco Giants, where Lee Jung-hoo plays, finished this year with a record of 65 wins and 97 losses, a .401 winning percentage, placing fourth in the National League (NL) West Division. They trailed division champion Los Angeles Dodgers by a massive 35-game gap, marking their fifth consecutive elimination from the postseason (PS). Buster Posey (39), President of Baseball Operations, identified bullpen reinforcement as his top priority for this winter following the end of the season. Additionally, with young starting pitchers undergoing consecutive ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgeries (Tommy John surgery), the need for depth in the starting rotation has become apparent.

In that regard, the resumes of Ito and Taira are worthy of San Francisco's attention. Ito recorded a 10-10 record with an ERA of 3.18 in 26 games this season. He pitched 172⅔ innings, striking out 159 batters while allowing only 34 walks. Last year, he posted a 14-8 record with an ERA of 2.52 and 195 strikeouts over 196⅔ innings, earning the Sawamura Award given to Japan's top pitcher.

Taira was even more dominant this year. In 23 regular-season games, he posted a 12-5 record with an ERA of 1.36 and 141 strikeouts in 146 innings, topping the Pacific League in ERA. After winning the Best Relief Pitcher award during his time in the bullpen in 2022, and claiming the saves title with 31 saves last year, he returned to the starting rotation this year to also capture the ERA title. The fact that he has been proven effective in both roles makes him attractive to San Francisco, which needs depth in both positions.

The official Major League website MLB.com previously introduced Taira as "one of the key pitchers to watch in the Japanese market this winter," noting that he possesses a diverse arsenal including a fastball in the 90th-mph range, cutter, slider, changeup, and splitter.

However, it is not yet officially confirmed that both players will enter the posting system, which begins in November. Ito is considering challenging Major League Baseball while also weighing staying with his current team, and Nippon-Ham has stated they will allow him to pursue a challenge if he decides to do so. Taira is also expected to discuss the posting process with Seibu soon.

San Francisco has had little success recently in acquiring Japanese players. They showed interest in Yamamoto Yoshinobu (28) and Sasaki Roki (25), but both ended up wearing Dodgers uniforms. The last Japanese player to play for the Giants was Aoki Norichika (44) back in 2015. Attention is turning to San Francisco's moves this winter to see if Ito or Taira will break an 11-year gap and share a clubhouse with Lee Jung-hoo.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original