Yankees, Cubs among 8 teams with interest in hard-throwing NPB ace

The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are two of Major League Baseball's top World Series contenders in 2026. 

But it's never too early to look ahead to future seasons. 

Professional scouting is conducted year-round. Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan is a hotbed for future MLB talent. 

A Saitama Seibu Lions right-handed starting pitcher could be making the transition from NPB to MLB soon. 

According to Yakyu Cosmopolitan on X, eight organizations, including the Yankees and Cubs, sent scouts to watch Kaima Taira's latest start for the Lions. 

"MLB scouts from the Yankees, Cubs, Mariners, Rangers, Angels, Tigers, Padres, and White Sox were reportedly in attendance last night to watch Seibu Lions ace Kaima Taira throw 7 shutout innings with 9 strikeouts while averaging 97.3 mph on his fastball," Yakyu Cosmopolitan wrote. 

MLB scouts from the Yankees, Cubs, Mariners, Rangers, Angels, Tigers, Padres, and White Sox were reportedly in attendance last night to watch Seibu Lions ace Kaima Taira throw 7 shutout innings with 9 strikeouts while averaging 97.3 mph on his fastball. pic.twitter.com/z359RwPBH5

Taira, 26, has a 1.46 ERA in 19 games with the Lions this season. He has struck out 109 batters and allowed just three home runs in 117 innings. 

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At the beginning of this season, the Lions converted him from a closer to the rotation. Taira recorded 31 saves and posted a 1.71 ERA in 54 appearances in 2025. 

He is a four-time All-Star and holds the NPB record for consecutive appearances without allowing a run at 39. 

Clearly, MLB organizations are interested in the right-hander's stuff. If the Lions are willing to post Taira, he can sign a Major League contract as early as the 2026-27 offseason. 

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