Liván Moinelo is the highest-paid player in Japanese history

April 2, 2024

The quality of the formidable left-handed pitcher from Pinar del Río, Liván Moinelo, is beyond all discussion, and the Softbank Hawks made this clear by offering him a contract renewal that will make him the highest-paid player in the history of the Japanese League.

According to information from Japanese media, the Fukuoka franchise secured the stay of the 28-year-old pitcher in their ranks for four more seasons and four thousand yen (26.4 million dollars), in an agreement that would come into effect starting in 2025.

In this way, the 28-year-old left-hander would earn approximately 6.5 million dollars per season, a figure similar to what Mexican Roberto Osuna, who also plays for the Hawks, will begin to receive starting this season.

Moinelo arrived young to the Softbank organization and after seven seasons there is no doubt that he is one of the best arms in the circuit. His work as closer and setup man in recent years place him among the best in those roles, although starting this season he will move to his team's starting rotation.

So far, his statistics show 19 wins, a number that should increase rapidly in his new role. However, what stands out most about his numbers are the 300.1 innings pitched in 306 games, with 40 saves and 135 holds.

The pitcher from the municipality of San Juan y Martínez has not worked officially in Japan since last July, when he had to undergo surgery to correct a problem in the elbow of his throwing arm, an injury he suffered for the first time in 2021.

However, once recovered, he reappeared as a reinforcement for Artemisa in the Elite League playoffs in early January, where he showed himself well above the level of the opponents he faced.

With this new contract, the Hawks also attempt to protect one of their star pitchers, and in the process prevent something similar to the case of Camagüey native Yariel Rodríguez, who in March 2023 abandoned his agreement with the Chunichi Dragons to go seek a contract in the Major Leagues.