NPB

Stove League of Dragons for 2023 season #1


This is third Dragons related blog.

I have post about this before, so what is needed to keep the team strength at a high level is young power.
In addition, since the team has been stuck in the “B” class for many years, it is necessary to drastically replace the players.
In other words, even if only a few players are replaced, the expected results will not be achieved if the main players remain those who have not been able to win until now. Furthermore, if the main players are past their peak, the results will be even less than expected.

The team needs to put up with painful reforms for rejuvenating. 
Also, in replacing players, there is a possibility that there will be protested from the former Dragons players or local support groups. The Dragons team office needs to protect Tatsunami from such protest activity.

I posted this blog before, and suddenly two big news were reported.


On Nov 15th – Toshiki Abe is traded to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for Wakui pitcher.

On Nov 18th – Youta Kyoda is traded to the Yokohama DeNA Baystars for Sunada left-handed pitcher.


In particular, Abe infielder, he was contributed to the team in batting after Dayán Viciedo in the 2022 season.
The Dragons is known as a good pitching power team, but the Dragons acquired the pitcher in two trades.
Many people including the former professional baseball players are negative saying, “I cannot understand why they would trade Abe who has the second best hitting record on the team in 2022 season”.
Furthermore, they said, “the Dragons should acquire the cleanup man who can hit home runs in the Vantelin Dome”.
Regarding Kyoda’s trade, some people said, “Kyoda is the only shortstop who can play in every game in team. The hitter should be acquired”. Or some people said, “This trade has been conducted from Tatsunami’s personal emotional. Tatsunami is way off base.The hitter should be acquired”.
(I don’t understand these comments. Do they think Kyoda only plays defense ?)

After the 2022 season, Manager Tatsunami said that the most important point to consider is strengthening the center line. In other words, the Dragons needs to play at the spacious Vantelin Dome for half of the season, so he is thinking about strengthening defense including pitching power.

Below is our opinion.
Abe is certainly the outstanding performance player in 2022 season. However, the Dragons finished at the very bottom in 2022 season. However, Abe is neither a home run hitter nor an average hitter. Considering that the leading player who are mid-career player that had never won before, it is necessary to change the team dynamically. Also, I feel the strong determination of manager Tatsunami to change the team into a winning team.
Kyoda certainly has both defense and physical strength. Also he is comparatively a big hitter. Baseball is a game in which the same players play both defense and offense. In order to strengthen the batting lineup, the team will not be able to guarantee Kyoda as a regular player. Considering Kyoda’s future as a professional baseball player, we think the best choice was to trade him to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars which lack shortstops. Yokohama Stadium is a very small stadium. It could be good for him. Considering his power, he could hit 10 home runs.

There are 17 players who have left the team, due to out of the team’s plan or retirement. Some people say this number is too many, but I don’t think it’s too many from the situation of other teams.
This number of left people has nothing to do with the will to make the team stronger. This is because it is necessary to determine the team formation after considering the strengthening of the team from 2022 season result. In fact, it is pointed out that there are few mid-career players in the Dragons.

2022 season,  Okabayashi, Tsuchida and Takahashi has being growth as young power.
We hope that other players will be growth in the 2023 season, and we are looking forward to advancing to the Climax Series.


Reference: Dragons News by Chunichi Dragonsn (2023/01/23)
(In Japanese) Announcement of Toshiki Abe Infielder exchange trade
https://dragons.jp/news/2022/22111501.php

(In Japanese) Announcement of Yota Kyoda Shortstop exchange trade
https://dragons.jp/news/2022/22111801.php


Thanks.