Orix Buffaloes plan to select Takahiro Mahara as compensation from Softbank Hawks
by Gen on Jan.12, 2013 @ 12:09 pm, under NPB
According to a report by Daily Sports, the Orix Buffaloes are planning to select Takahiro Mahara (31) as compensation for losing Hayato Terahara (29) to the Softbank Hawks. An announcement is expected today.
Source: Daily Sports 1/12/2013, official announcement (Orix), official announcement (Softbank)
UPDATE 1/13 @ 2:07pm - Mahara has been assigned the number twenty. The Softbank Hawks apparently did not think the Buffaloes would select him because he was coming off an injury and because he could earn his FA option this season. The Buffaloes went with Mahara despite saying they wanted to go after healthy young pitchers because Hiroshi Moriwaki strongly recommended him. Source: Sanspo 1/12/2013
UPDATE 1/13 @ 4:49pm - Quotes from Softbank official Itaru Kobayashi:
I am not sure if "shock" is the right word, but we did take hit.
We discussed [the protected list] a number of times. There were people on either side, but everyone agreed to the twenty-eight names on the list. We even got approval from [Sadaharu] Oh and opinions from the coaches.
Our priority was to remain a team that could keep on winning through the years.
Source: Nikkan Sports 1/13/2013
It sounds like even compensation.. Terahara for Mahara. Both have had injury problems. Anyone know how healthy Mahara is?
If nothing happens during the camp, Mahara will be available on the opening day. And he will be an FA at the end of the season if he so chooses.
If Mahara is healthy and back to his old self, it’s a steal for Orix.