Rakuten transfer to professional baseball FA Suzuki decided to join the conference November 27 18:46
Daichi Suzuki, who moved to Rakuten by exercising the right of FA = free agent from professional baseball / Lotte, held an introductory conference, and expressed his enthusiasm, “I want to do my best to give as much excitement and courage as possible” It was.
Suzuki signed a contract with the team for a total of 700 million yen for 4 years and an annual salary of 100 million yen for the next season.
Suzuki joined the team in Sendai with a dark-colored tie, and the reason why he chose Rakuten was “not only the results of the past but also the figure of playing and practicing baseball. I was glad to have received it. "
And I vowed in front of the 50 fans who attended the interview by lottery, "I want to do my best to give me as much excitement and courage as possible.
The uniform number is “7”, which is the same as that for Lotte, and Rakusuke Tsuji, the first-ranked draft rookie, was wearing this season at Rakuten.
Regarding this consideration, Suzuki said, “I am honored but I think it is not enough to put it on. I want to be a player and a human being who will be pleased with all the results, not to mention the result.”
Ishii GM “Expectations as a new leader”
Daiichi Suzuki is also expected to play an active role as a new leader as Rakuten's birthplace retires and rejuvenates.
After the milestone season of the 15th year of the team's foundation, Rakuten has ceased a lot of life, including former director Yosuke Hiraishi and Motohiro Shima, who have supported the team for many years.
Ishii Kazuhisa, the general manager who is building a new team, set up a white arrow as a new leader candidate.
During the Lotte period, Suzuki was the captain for the four years until Ototoshi, and he was the chairman of the team.
Ishii General Manager cited the fact that he was embarking on the acquisition of Suzuki as a reason for highly praising his appearance during practice and games other than play. A player who can inspire the team like “Saikou.” I wanted to have a player like a command tower in Uchino, “Let's get together in the mound.” “I was always thinking about the team,” he said.
Mr. Suzuki himself said at the conference “I am glad that I have been cherished from the amateur era in order to survive in the baseball world. What I have done so far is not conscious of taking leadership. I think that it will lead to such a figure if I do it.I want to keep pace with other players and fight together with the thoughts together. "