Saitama Seibu Lions signs CPBL's Lin An-ko

Taipei, Nov. 22 (CNA) Japanese franchise Saitama Seibu Lions announced on Saturday it has signed with Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions slugger Lin An-ko (林安可), one of three MVP finalists for Taiwan's professional baseball league in 2025.

The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team announced in a news release that Lin will wear a new back number of 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.

The announcement followed Monday's statement from the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) 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 midseason 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.

Japanese media Sponichi Annex reported that Seibu finished the 2025 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.