The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks announced on May 12 that they have traded pitchers Takato Ogata and infielder Tomoya Inoue to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in a swap deal. Both players expressed their gratitude to the Hawks organization and pledged to continue chasing their dreams in their new surroundings.
“I will keep moving forward toward my dreams, and I’m excited to see how much I can evolve from here,” Ogata said in a statement. Inoue echoed the sentiment, vowing to make the most of the fresh start.
Ogata, a promising young pitcher, had shown flashes of potential in the Hawks’ farm system. Inoue, a versatile infielder, was looking for more consistent playing time. The trade is seen as a mutual opportunity for both players to break into the main roster with the BayStars.
The Hawks and BayStars have a history of player exchanges, and this move adds depth to both organizations. SoftBank will receive compensation from DeNA as part of the deal, though specific terms were not disclosed.
The two players are expected to report to DeNA’s practice facility in the coming days and will likely join the BayStars’ spring training camp ahead of the upcoming season. Fans on both sides are eager to see how Ogata and Inoue adapt to their new team.
