Chunichi Dragons Eye Hiroshima Pitcher Tokoda After FA Declaration

Hiroshima Carp pitcher Hiroki Tokoda has declared free agency, opening the door for other Nippon Professional Baseball teams to pursue him once the official negotiation period begins on the 11th.

According to reports, the Chunichi Dragons are investigating a potential move to sign Tokoda and are expected to approach him immediately when talks become possible.

One factor that may work in the Dragons' favour is Tokoda's familiarity with the Tokai region, where Chunichi is based. He grew accustomed to the area while attending Chubu Gakuin University, giving him some existing connection to the territory even though he currently plays for Hiroshima.

Despite the interest from Chunichi, Tokoda has not ruled out remaining with the Carp. In a recent interview, he expressed a desire to spend many years with the team and said he believes there is a possibility of staying, even though declaring free agency allows him to explore offers elsewhere.

Tokoda's situation adds to a turbulent offseason for Hiroshima. Two other prominent players, outfielder Nobuhiro Morishita and catcher Shogo Sakakura, have also declared free agency, raising concerns among supporters about the team's ability to retain its core roster.

Local media have highlighted the potential impact on a well-known regional advertising campaign that has featured several Carp players. With multiple stars now eligible to leave, there are fears that the lineup representing the team publicly could be significantly altered.

One report noted that, among the players linked to this advertisement, pitcher Daichi Ose may be the only one who ultimately remains with Hiroshima, a development described as a source of disappointment for fans who have grown used to seeing these athletes as a group.

Free agency in Japanese baseball allows players who meet certain service-time requirements to negotiate with teams other than their current club. The system creates a competitive market each offseason, with top performers often attracting interest from multiple franchises.

For Chunichi, acquiring an experienced pitcher like Tokoda could strengthen their roster heading into the next season. For Hiroshima, the coming weeks will likely involve efforts to convince Tokoda, Morishita, and Sakakura to stay, as losing multiple key contributors at once could affect both performance on the field and the team's broader public image in the region.