Is the Dragons organization functioning effectively as a team ?
* As of June 13, 2026, the team is currently in the middle of an Interleague game against the Nippon Ham Fighters, but with their deficit having grown to around 20 games, there may be some major changes after the Interleague series.
Honestly, losing the season opener in a come-from-behind defeat was tough.
In the opener, the Dragons were leading by four runs, so I was watching the game with a sense of ease. In the bottom of the 9th, the team was erased a 4-run deficit is no time, and the momentum carried over into the 10th, where they suffered a walk-off loss. It was literally a fall from heaven to hell.
What’s more, that pitcher wasn’t chosen based on his performance in the exhibition games, but because the manager had said, “I want this pitcher to be our closer.”
From there, the team went on a five-game losing streak to start the season, including losses due to managerial decisions regarding the bullpen.
I had two major concerns about the Dragons even before the season started.
For several years, I’ve been worried about the runs allowed by relief pitchers, and I’ve posted about “relief pitching” and “catchers.”
However, apart from the “catcher” position, there haven’t been any major changes to the roster. This means the team isn’t treating these as areas needing reinforcement, and that our young players aren’t developing.
I was opposed, but the addition of the Home Run Terrace at Vantelin Stadium is one of major concerns.
This is because, in a situation where the team needs to strengthen both its pitching staff and batting lineup, it will completely lose its home-field advantage.
Adding insult to injury is the Central League’s designated hitter rule, which goes into effect next year.
This season, I feel that the team has not only failed to get off to a flying start, but hasn’t even been able to perform to its true potential.
I feel the position players are starting to come together. While the batting lineup is still said to lack depth, the batting lineup can change dramatically with the addition of just one or two outstanding foreign players.
Just when we think the team is on a roll after a four-game winning streak, they go on a major losing streak right after, and as a result, their deficit is growing.
Even if there are still concerns about the pitching staff, I think there must be some fundamental reason why the team hasn’t been able to perform better so far.
The relationship between the team’s management and the players ?
When I watch the players in action, I sometimes get the feeling that there’s a disconnect between the team’s management and the players.
Is there trust between them ?
In professional baseball, if there’s no trust, the team simply can’t perform at its best.
When Manager Inoue took the position, he said “Become the player I like,” instead of “Become the kind of player I want to use.”In fact, he decided on the cleanup hitter for the 2025 season opener and the closer for this year’s opener without the result of the exhibition games. Perhaps there is a disconnect between the team’s management and the players.
Also, I feel that there are games where the manager’s strategy doesn’t show the determination to “win at all costs.” This strategy influences the players’ mindset.
For example, as a strategy against DeNA pitcher Fujinami, he once formed a lineup consisting only of left-handed batters, rather than fielding his best lineup.
Also, in some games, he chose not to send in a pinch hitter for catcher Kato at a crucial moment in the late innings.
These examples involve “player injuries” and “the last catcher on the bench,” and I am aware that there are people who would reasonably argue against this.
This is strictly my personal opinion, but for a team that has struggled in the lower positions for many years, this strategy comes across as a “complete surrender.”
As an effect of this, even in crucial moments, winning may not be the top priority.
In fact, when I watch how the players perform, I sometimes get the impression that they are more focused on playing it safe and getting through the game rather than showing the will to win.
90th Anniversary
This year marks the Dragons’ 90th anniversary.
The Giants and the Hanshin Tigers celebrated their 90th anniversaries in the best possible way by winning the Central League championship.
As of June 13, 2026, the Dragons have a record of 21 wins and 40 losses (-19). Over a 143-game season, that’s a pace of about 92 losses.
With the Dragons’ 90th anniversary, the prospect of 90 losses is becoming a real possibility.
However, even as we enter June, there has been no movement from the team’s front office. Are they perhaps just using the “90th anniversary” as a marketing gimmick to attract fans ?
Based on the team’s daily starting lineup, it seems to me that the manager’s vision for the team’s style of play is inconsistent.
I think the manager should clearly communicate his vision for the team’s style of play.
If the starting lineup is determined based on that vision, I believe the players will have a better understanding of it.
And this applies not only to the starting lineup but also to offensive strategies.
Once the team fully adopts the manager’s vision and develops a style that is hungry to win, I believe the team will naturally become stronger.
I also believe that the manager can request the necessary roster reinforcements by clearly communicating the team’s vision for the game to the front office.
And the front office must respond to those requests.
The front office and the team’s vision
This has nothing to do with this year’s team, but I remember a pitcher once asking during contract negotiations, “Does the front office have a vision ?”
In response, the front office reportedly said, “Once contract negotiations are over, we’ll have to address that. It’s true that the front office hasn’t had such a vision until now, so we do want to put it in writing. I told that pitcher that we need to address this thoroughly during the offseason.”
Since then, some fans have been voicing concerns that the front office lacks a vision and calling for them to present one.
“?”
Of course, the front office’s failure to present a clear vision to the players is a major problem.
However, this vision specifically concerns the front office’s management.
The front office’s vision is aimed at ensuring the team’s continued existence as a going concern.
The vision is set by top management, and strategies are created to realize it. In other words, the front office’s statement shows they were running the team on a whim, without any clear strategy.
For the front office of a professional sports team, the existence of fans is the most critical factor. This drives revenue from ticket sales, as well as related merchandise and food and beverage, which indicate the team’s popularity. It also leads to the acquisition of corporate sponsors.
Therefore, “building a strong team” is essential, as it influences both the acquisition of new fans and the satisfaction of existing ones.
However, when it comes to team formation and desired playing style, that is the manager’s vision.
If the front office interferes in this area, it will undermine the relationship between the front office and the team’s management.
The manager clearly communicates his desired team style and requests that the front office invest in the necessary reinforcements.Then, in line with the front office’s vision of building a strong team, they make investments (reinforcements) to bring the team closer to the manager’s vision.
In other words, that pitcher’s statement may have been directed more at the team’s management than at the front office.
Reference: NIKKAN SPORTS (2026/06/12)
https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/202410100001118.html
Reference: NIKKAN SPORTS (2026/06/13)
https://www.nikkansports.com/baseball/news/202509030000410.html
Reference: CHUNICHI SPORTS (2026/06/13)
https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/1252073
https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/1125060
Reference: TOKYO SPORTS (2026/06/13)
https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/214063
Thanks.