TBNL: Both the NPB and KBO crown champions

The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks won the NPB’s Japan Series, defeating the Hanshin Tigers in the best-of-seven series in five games (Game 5 took 11 innings). The Hawks, who finished the regular season with the best record in both the Central and Pacific Leagues, have won their first championship since 2020 and the 12th in franchise history.

First baseman Hotaka Yamakawa was named the Series MVP, going 5-for-13 with 3 HR, 7 RBI, and six walks in the five games.

The Hawks roster includes five players with MLB experience: infielder Jeter Downs, right-hander Kohei Arihara, left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez, right-hander Roberto Osuna, and right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa. The team also has Carter Stewart Jr. — drafted 8th overall by the Braves in 2018, but he opted to pitch in Japan instead of signing — on their roster, but he missed the whole season to injury.

While the Hawks are celebrating their championship, several news items related to the Tigers have emerged, starting with word that the Tigers will have competition to retain right-hander Jon Duplantier.

Originally a 3rd-round pick by the Diamondbacks in 2018, Duplantier struggled with consistency during his stints in the majors with the team in 2019 and 2021. He made 19 appearances between the two seasons, including seven starts, posting a 6.70 ERA (66 ERA+) over 49.2 IP. His work in the minor leagues had shown more promise, so Duplantier received an opportunity to head to Japan this season and join the Tigers.

Something clicked in Japan and Duplantier flourished (despite missing a few weeks to injury), posting a 6-3 record and 1.39 ERA over 90.2 IP in 15 starts while striking out 113 and walking just 20. Hanshin is hoping to re-sign Duplantier for the 2026 season, but they expect other NPB teams and potentially some MLB opportunities to be in the mix.

Separately, a pair of Hanshin players are looking to move to MLB. Right-hander Hiroto Saiki asked the team to post him this offseason, but the Tigers have reportedly declined. Third baseman Teruaki Sato, meanwhile, revealed to reporters that he hopes to move to MLB after the 2026 season.

Saiki revealed his desire to move to MLB last December when he signed his new contract with the Tigers. Throughout this season, the two sides discussed the possibility of him being posted, but Hanshin decided to hold onto their ace pitcher, hoping to repeat as Central League Champions. The 26-year-old was 12-6 with a 1.55 ERA over 157.0 IP this season.

Sato also first shared his desire to play in MLB with the team last winter. The 26-year-old has spent most of his career at third base, but also has some experience in the corner outfield. The left-handed hitter batted .277/.345/.579 in 597 PA this past season, leading the Central League with 40 HR and 102 RBI. He then set a new Japan Series record with an RBI in five-straight games.

The LG Twins have won the KBO’s Korea Series, defeating the Hanwha Eagles in the best-of-seven series in five games. The Twins have won their second championship in the last three seasons and fourth in franchise history.

Outfielder Hyun-soo Kim was named the Series MVP, going 9-for-17 with 8 RBI and five walks in the five games. He now has 105 postseason hits in his career, a new record among KBO hitters. He’s also the KBO’s all-time postseason RBI leader with 63. The now-37-year-old spent two seasons in MLB with the Orioles and Phillies, hitting a combined .273/.351/.368 in 585 PA.

Three others on the Twins’ roster have prior MLB experience: outfielder Austin Dean, right-hander Yonny Chirinos, and right-hander Elieser Hernández.

166 posts over 11 months (including this one). Many of which could have easily been split into separate posts on their own. Another 66 for the day job.

232 (in 334 days).

Funny how posting almost once a day can happen so easily. It’s not hard to fall back into old habits, even completely unintentionally.

Still, it’s a nice reminder of just how manageable the workload can be.

Mike Maddux (Greg’s brother) will not be returning to his role as pitching coach for the Rangers, instead taking the same position with the Angels on Kurt Suzuki’s staff. The Rangers tried to retain Maddux, but were unable to agree to terms on a new deal.

MLB agent Jim Murray — who represents Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and several others — has accepted a four-year ban from negotiating deals on behalf of his clients and will pay a $100,000 fine after an investigation found that he had been “double-dealing” and serving as a “mole” for Commissioner Bud Selig, according to a report from Evan Drellich at The Athletic.

In addition to paying Tony Vitello $3.5 million a year to be their new manager, the Giants also covered the $3 million buyout payment to the University of Tennessee required to let him out of his contract.

The Florida State Seminoles have restructured head coach Link Jarrett’s contract, giving him a raise to $2.1 million. This makes him the fifth-highest paid coach in the NCAA behind only LSU’s Jay Johnson, Mississippi State’s Brian O’Connor, Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, and Texas’s Jim Schlossnagle.