Yakult Engages in Heated Debate Over Kihada’s “Mid-Season Contract Extension”… Camp “Secure a Closer for Next Season” Clashes with Camp “Lacks Consistency”

Osuna and Santana are other examples

The Yakult Swallows, with a lineup centered on young players, have energized the first half of the Central League season. Although they’ve struggled with more losses than wins since July and seem to be running out of steam, there are reports that the team may sign a major contract—as if to “refuel” for the second half of the season.

“Even Yakult alumni were largely predicting they’d finish last in the preseason, but the team has spectacularly defied those expectations because Manager Ikeya—who has kept a close eye on these young players since his days as farm team manager—has continued to deploy them one after another without hesitation.With the roster leveled out and starting positions wide open, it was impressive to see the players fighting with such intensity to secure their spots before anyone else did,” said a former team player.

Last season, which ended with 79 losses, saw the team struggle on both the mound and at the plate, but this year, left-hander José Kiada (30)—who has experience as a closer during his Major League career—has been working at full capacity as the closer since the season opener.

“With his high-quality fastball-dominant pitching, he has recorded 21 saves so far—second in the league.Scott McGough (36), who was with the team from 2019 to 2022, and Reito Taguchi (30) in 2023 both reigned as closers, but the past two years have been a struggle, and we haven’t had a stable closer.“Depending on the team’s performance, if he keeps up this momentum, he could even reach 40 saves,” the source added.

Kihada is currently under contract for an estimated 133 million yen for a single year, but the team is already looking ahead to next season and appears to be moving to finalize a contract with him before the end of this season.

“The Yakult Swallows previously announced contract extensions for José Osuna (33) and Domingo Santana (33) midway through the ’24 season. Similarly, the team is poised to announce a contract extension for Kihada as early as after the All-Star break or in early August.“Since he’s set to earn close to 200 million yen this year, including performance bonuses, it looks like negotiations with his agent will center on a multi-year contract worth at least 200 million yen,” said a team official.

That said, the team does not have unlimited financial resources.

“Tetsuto Yamada (34), who signed a multi-year contract worth 500 million yen, injured his left hamstring during the June 13 game against Oisix and has been sidelined; he was scheduled to return on July 10 but has been sidelined again.Similarly, José Osuna, who earns an annual salary of 375 million yen, has been struggling and was ordered to return to the farm team for the second time this season on July 6 to regain his form,” (same source)

Furthermore, due to his recent “slump,” some are questioning whether “extending his contract was a hasty decision.”

“While he ranks second in the league in saves, his ERA is 3.27 and he has suffered five losses, showing a lack of consistency.While he was able to overpower hitters with his fastball early in the season, there are concerns about whether that approach will still work in the second half as batters adjust to his pitching. In fact, some team executives are calling for a ‘hold,’ and there is a possibility that the planned contract extension could be scrapped.” (Team staff)

Yakult is being forced to make a decision if it hopes to rejoin the pennant race against the Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants.