FRANCO: NPB's Seibu Lions To Post Kaima Taira

AI-written summary of reporting by Anthony Franco, MLB Trade Rumors, October 29, 2026. Read the original: NPB's Seibu Lions To Post Kaima Taira · Saved from X: @InsideHalos, quoting @GaijinBaseball

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The Big Idea

The Saitama Seibu Lions announced on Oct. 30 that they will post right-hander Kaima Taira, NPB's 2026 ERA leader, so MLB teams can sign him. The Angels were among the teams reported to be scouting him this year, which makes him one of the most interesting pitchers for Angels fans to watch this winter.

Key Points

• Confirmed (Seibu Lions announcement, Kyodo News, MLB.com): Seibu approved Taira's posting request on Oct. 30.
• Confirmed: Taira went 12-5 with a Pacific League-best 1.36 ERA in his first season back in the rotation. He had 31 saves as a reliever in 2025.
• Reported, not a sign of a deal: Japanese outlets including Sanspo listed the Angels among the clubs whose scouts watched his starts, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Watching a pitcher is not the same as making an offer.
• Timing: once he is posted, teams get 45 days to negotiate. Kyodo reports that interested teams can negotiate from Nov. 1, and that a source said the deadline could move up to Dec. 1 if the collective bargaining agreement expires without a new deal. MLBTR adds that if he hasn't signed by then, the clock pauses during a lockout.

Quick Context

• Posting fee: the signing team pays Seibu 20% of the first $25 million of the contract, 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of anything beyond that.
• Why the Angels care: they need starting pitching, and signing a posted player costs money but no prospects.

About the Author

Anthony Franco writes for MLB Trade Rumors, which tracks transactions and rumors across MLB.

Why It's Here

One of the best pitchers outside MLB is about to hit the market during a short, lockout-squeezed offseason, with the Angels on the reported list of interested scouts.