Seibu Lions acquire outfielder Wakabayashi Raku from Yomiuri Giants in surprise trade

Seibu Lions announced on July 29 that they have completed a cash trade to bring 28‑year‑old outfielder Wakabayashi Raku back to the club where he began his career. The move returns Wakabayashi to Seibu after a brief stint with the Yomiuri Giants, who acquired him in June 2024 in a trade for outfielder Matsubara Seiya.

During his short time with the Giants this season, Wakabayashi appeared in 21 games and posted a .179 batting average. Last season with Seibu he recorded a .241 average with three home runs over 86 games, showcasing his speed and power. Seibu, dealing with injuries to outfielders Kuwa, Hasegawa and others, saw the trade as a timely reinforcement. The Giants, whose registered players rose to the league limit of 70 after the transaction, reduced their roster to 69.

Fans reacted enthusiastically on social media, posting messages such as “Wakabayashi back to Seibu?!!”, “Amazing reinforcement”, and “Welcome home!”. The trade marks an unusual “return‑trade” in Nippon Professional Baseball.