Giants Consider Signing Hiroshima Pitcher Morishita
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The Yomiuri Giants are reportedly investigating a possible deal for Hiroshima Carp pitcher Morishita. The team wants to strengthen its starting rotation.
Morishita is a right-handed pitcher with 60 career wins. He could become eligible for domestic free agency this winter. If he exercises that right, he would be free to join another team.
The Giants are known for actively pursuing top free agents, and this interest fits that pattern. Baseball fans and former players are already discussing this year's free agent market.
One former player said that the Hanshin Tigers could also be realistic contenders for top free agents this offseason. The battle for the best players could become competitive.
Separately, the Lotte Marines are looking at another Hiroshima player, catcher Sakakura, who also holds free agent rights. The Marines have finished in the lower half of the standings for two straight seasons.
Because of their weak results, the Marines want to improve their offense. Sakakura is known as a strong hitter, which makes him an attractive target for teams looking to boost their batting lineup.
Both moves show how Japanese baseball teams are preparing early for the offseason. Teams often try to secure strong players before free agency begins, to avoid losing out to rivals.
No final decisions have been announced. Both Morishita and Sakakura must still decide whether to exercise their free agent rights before any transfer can happen.
Vocabulary4 words
- starting rotation
- the group of pitchers who start games for a team
- domestic free agency
- a system letting players in the same country join a new team
- free agent market
- the group of players who can change teams
- offense
- the hitting and scoring part of a team
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A right-handed pitcher 2. To improve their hitting 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Yomiuri Giants are reportedly investigating a possible deal for Hiroshima Carp pitcher Morishita. The team wants to strengthen its _____.
Morishita is a right-handed pitcher with _____ career wins. He could become eligible for _____ this winter.
One former player said that the _____ could also be realistic contenders for top free agents this offseason.
Separately, the Lotte Marines are looking at another Hiroshima player, catcher _____, who also holds free agent rights.
Because of their weak results, the Marines want to improve their _____. Sakakura is known as a strong hitter.
Discussion questions
- Why might a baseball team want to sign a player from another team?
- What do you think makes a pitcher valuable to a team?
- Do you think free agency is good or bad for sports teams? Why?
- How do teams usually prepare before a player becomes a free agent?
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