With Spring Training right around the corner, we will review who the Baystars signed this off season.

Signed:

Yamato Maeda– The Baystars biggest signing of the offseason and most likely starting second baseman when the season starts. Yamato signed a three year contract worth ¥300 million with the option of a fourth year. Last year Yamota played 100 games for Hanshin, taking up switch hitting last season and ending the season with a .280 AVG.

Yuta Muto– Has NPB experience, last appearing in 2016 making 4 appearances for Chunichi. Last season spent the season in the minors for Chunichi appearing in 28 games, W 0, L 1, SV 1 and finishing the season with a 4.40 ERA. Depends on his Spring training, but will be most likely used for garbage innings.

Taishi Nakagawa- An INF, he appeared in 23 games for Rakuten last season finishing with a .118 AVG. Would expect him to be a bench player for the Baystars.

Edison Barrios– He was an interesting signing, spending his 2017 season in the Baseball Challenge League with the Toyama GRN Thunderbirds. His last appearance in the NPB was in 2016 with Softback where he appeared in 11 games going 0-2 with a 7.82 ERA. It will be interesting to see what the Baystars do with him.

Neftali Soto- Spent the 2017 season playing AA and AAA ball in the Washington Nationals organization. He finished the season with .311 AVG between both leagues and a total of 24 HR. He will start off the bench when the season starts but if a player slumps he may start as a DH or in the infield. But being primarily a first baseman, I do not see him surpassing Lopez as the everyday first baseman.