Tsutsugo Acquisition: Show or Substance? DeNA’s Doubts vs. Convincing Negotiations

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, 32, has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the U.S. Major League Baseball Giants and has chosen to return to Japanese baseball. It appears that he is already in negotiations with several NPB teams.

The first news of his return to Japan came from Nikkan Sports, which has a source who is close to Tsutsuka. The sports paper industry, which is very fussy about who is passed over and who is not, would not remain silent, and this time Sports Nippon broke the news that Tsutsuka had decided to join the Giants. This caused an uproar,” said a sports newspaper desk reporter.

However, Tsutsuka apologized to his close friends in the baseball world for the commotion and said, “I haven’t decided yet. （I will let you know when I have made a decision (on where to join).

A Yokohama alumnus who knows Tsutsuka well said, “He was a member of the Giants and DeNA.

There is no doubt that he has narrowed down his choices to the Giants and DeNA. The rest will depend on the conditions. However, looking at the team lineup, DeNA’s young fielders are developing, and their outfield is solid, with Keita Sano (29), Ataru Sekine (28), and rookie Takateru Toei (21). Even Tsutsuka cannot guarantee a regular spot. That is the same for the Giants, but it seems that the Giants are trying to woo him with a plan that includes taking care of him after he retires, such as cutting him a mentor bill instead of a regular bill.”

What is worrisome is that some alumni have voiced their suspicion that DeNA’s attempt to acquire Tsutsuka is just a “pose. The other day, Daisuke Miura, 50, said , “I have heard that the team is negotiating with them. We can only watch and pray.”……

Tsutsuka still has a good relationship with DeNA’s front office, current players, and alumni from all walks of life. He is a local Yokohama High School graduate, a former No. 4 hitter who is attached to the BayStars and a terror with a total of 205 home runs. He is someone we should be looking to acquire at all costs, but right now the team needs reinforcements in pitching, and we are not particularly in need of a fielder. Even so, the reason why they are still trying to acquire him is because they can’t say, “We don’t want him,” even if they don’t want to, in front of fans and local sponsors. If they think we have backed away from our local hero, it will affect our ability to attract customers and sponsors for next season.

Tsutsuka went to the U.S. with the determination to stay in the area, but he returned to Japan halfway through his dream. Will he return to his old stomping grounds and bat amidst the warm support of his old team, or will he venture into the harsh environment of a gentleman’s baseball team to make his dream come true? The day of decision is near.