Japanese franchise the Saitama Seibu Lions yesterday announced that they have signed Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions slugger Lin An-ko, one of this year’s three Most Valuable Player finalists for CPBL.
The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team announced in a news release that Lin would wear No. 73, but did not disclose contract details.
“I am very happy to be able to take on the challenge of playing in Japan, and I will do my best every day to showcase my strengths,” Lin said in the release.
Photo: CNA
The announcement followed Monday’s statement from the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions that Seibu had secured exclusive negotiating rights with the 28-year-old outfielder, who exercised his overseas free agency option earlier this month.
Taiwanese baseball sources said the deal would likely be a two-year contract with a one-year option, worth up to US$1 million annually, including bonuses.
The sources added that the Japanese club would also have to pay transfer fees to the Uni-Lions, putting the total value of the agreement near US$4 million.
After joining the Tainan-based Uni-Lions as the fourth overall pick in the 2019 mid-season draft, Lin smashed 32 home runs to earn the Rookie of the Year award in his first full CPBL season in 2020.
In 2025, he batted a career-best .318 over 90 games and hit his 100th CPBL home run in a game against the Fubon Guardians in Tainan on June 28.
Japan’s Sponichi Annex reported that Seibu finished last season in fifth place, with the lowest team batting average, runs scored and slugging percentage in the NPB, underscoring the team’s need for a power hitter.