Yomiuri Giants Offseason 2025 Mega Recap

Go Matsumoto’s FA move, compensation drama, contract renewals, X (Twitter) reaction & farm team surge – fully explained

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1. November 26, 2025 – A Wild “Offseason” Day for the Giants

Contract rush, farm team awards, FA shockwaves…
For an offseason day, November 26, 2025 felt busier than a pennant race for the Yomiuri Giants.

In just one day we had:

• A rush of first-team contract renewals
• Awards and recognition for the farm team as “Farm Japan Champions”
• Official agreement with FA outfielder Go Matsumoto – plus instant debate over compensation picks and the Hayato Sakamoto protection issue

In this article, we’ll look back on the day not strictly by timeline, but by theme, and整理 everything that happened.

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First-Team Headlines: Contract Renewals Show “Winners, Losers & Resolve”

The biggest topic of the day was, without question, the wave of contract renewals.
Standing out most: a group of eight players re-signing together, led by rotation cornerstone Iori Yamasaki.

Iori Yamasaki & Shosei Togo: Raised Evaluation for the Rotation Aces

• Iori Yamasaki – Team-high 11 wins, with stable ERA and innings
• Shosei Togo – Worked like a true ace, grinding through fatigue late in the season

It wasn’t just about their numbers. The club clearly valued the fact that they took the ball every turn and protected the rotation all year. That trust was reflected directly in their new salaries.

Next season, whether these two can truly stand side by side as a “double ace” duo may be the key not just to an A-class finish, but to a serious run at the Central League title.

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Akira Tanaka’s 520% Raise + Marriage: Double Happy News

The most “emotional” storyline of the day probably belonged to infielder Akira Tanaka:

• Massive salary bump: up 520% – a huge statement from the club
• Within the team, only Kazuma Okamoto had a bigger jump
• Publicly announced his marriage, commenting: “I’m no longer playing just for myself”

It’s a full-on recognition of his breakout over the past few years – and it feels like his salary is now at a level where “you have to live up to it”.

We’ve all seen the cliché of “marriage + big raise = performance slump”.
What fans are hoping for here is the opposite:
“marriage + big raise = full-on breakout mode.”

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Taisei’s Salary Doubles & His “CR7 Comment”

Giants closer Taisei also agreed to terms, with an estimated salary of 180 million yen (roughly double).

Yes, he had a mid-season IL stint and some shaky stretches, but overall he did his job as closer and even captured his first Best Reliever Award.

His comments, though, were strikingly direct:

“I got the title, but I don’t feel much sense of achievement.”
“With prices the way they are, 100 million yen doesn’t feel like such a big milestone anymore.”
“My target is Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary.”

Classic Taisei – a mix of honesty and tongue-in-cheek bravado.

Fans can laugh, but at the same time you can feel his hunger to go way higher.
Next year, you can’t help but dream of a version of Taisei who’s in “final boss mode”: not just save leader, but also dominating in ERA and strikeouts.

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Heartwarming Off-Field News: Young Players Visit Senior Facilities

It wasn’t just on-field business that made headlines.

Three young Giants players:

• Tessei Morimoto (P)
• Shotaro Horie (P)
• Ayumu Nishikawa (IF)

visited nearby senior facilities “Yomiuri Land Hana House” and “Yomiuri Land Hanakien” near the Giants’ ballpark.

They didn’t just sign autographs and take photos; they spent real time talking with people who usually can’t make it to the ballpark.
It sounded like a moment where their warmth as people shone through even more than their status as pro ballplayers.

For the players, these visits can be a powerful reminder of “why they play baseball”.
For fans, it’s simply the kind of news that makes you proud to support this team.

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Farm Team Rising: “Next Core” Emerging from Japan’s No.1 Farm

In the afternoon, Part 1 of the NPB Awards focused on the Eastern League.

Among the honorees, the spotlight was especially bright on the Giants farm team, recognized as Farm Japan Champions.

Manager Yuji Aida’s Line: “This Was a Year of Challenge”

On stage to receive the award was 3rd-team manager Yuji Aida, who led the group.

His simple reflection –

“This was a year of challenge.”

– actually packed in a lot of meaning:

• Aggressively giving opportunities to young players
• Still demanding wins and results
• And managing to develop at the same time

Balancing all three is incredibly difficult, and his words carried the weight of a season where they actually pulled it off.

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Taisei Chinen: RBI King / Junki Sonoda: The “Undefeated Ace”

Individual awards were just as significant.

• Taisei Chinen (IF) – 5th-round developmental pick, Eastern League RBI leader
  • RBIs show “how much you produced in key spots”
  • Commented he wants to be registered under the 70-man roster ASAP and help the first team – showing real hunger
• Junki Sonoda (P) – Farm Special Achievement Award
  • Dominant numbers: 8–0, 1.42 ERA for the second team
  • Clearly stated: “Next year, I want to pitch in the first team”

In recent years, the Giants have seen more and more guys from the lower rounds or developmental contracts quietly turn into legitimate first-team contributors.

That’s a huge sign that the current Giants farm system is doing a lot of things right.

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FA Shockwaves: Go Matsumoto to Giants, Compensation Drama & the Sakamoto Question

Now for the heaviest topic of the day.

The Giants officially announced agreement with outfielder Go Matsumoto (32), who exercised FA rights to leave the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

“Miracle High School Quartet” Now All with Other Teams

One storyline that came up in the coverage:
With Matsumoto gone, the so-called “Miracle High School Quartet” from the 2011 Fighters draft class are now all on other teams.

You can chalk it up to the passage of time, but it still feels like the end of a chapter in one long story – and that’s undeniably bittersweet.

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FA Compensation & the “Backup Catcher Target” Theory

Because Matsumoto is a B-rank FA, Nippon-Ham is entitled to either:

• Monetary compensation, or
• A player as compensation (plus partial cash) from the Giants’ unprotected list

Reports and online chatter are already suggesting:

“Nippon-Ham might be eyeing one of the second-team catchers whose contracts are still pending.”

Naturally, debate has exploded over:

• Who will be protected
• Who might be left exposed

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The Hayato Sakamoto Protection Debate: Loyalty vs. Roster Logic

Among fans, the hottest discussion is whether or not to protect franchise icon Hayato Sakamoto.

On one hand:

• Many believe it’s hard to imagine manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo actually taking Sakamoto
• From a “cold” logic standpoint, some argue it’s unnecessary to protect him

On the other:

• Fans are strongly saying, “He must be protected to honor his legacy and pride”
• Former stolen-base king Yutaka Fukumoto also commented in media that Sakamoto should be protected to preserve his pride and status in the game

The front office’s decision here will draw huge attention.

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Day’s Recap: A “Too-Much-Information” Offseason Day

Looking back, November 26 was peak “Giants-ness”:

• First team: Pay raises and serious comments from both stars and breakout players
• Farm team: Japan’s No.1 farm and multiple award-winners – young talent loudly knocking on the door
• FA front: Go Matsumoto’s arrival strengthens the outfield, but compensation and the Sakamoto question hang heavy over the club

It was a day where optimism and anxiety mixed in very Giants-like fashion.

How will all these offseason moves show up in next year’s standings?
Stick with the news, and let’s enjoy riding out the drama together.

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2. Go Matsumoto to the Giants: Deep Dive into the Impact on Both Teams

“Instant defensive fix” or “fewer chances for young outfielders”?

Outfielder Go Matsumoto (32) is joining the Giants via free agency from the Fighters.
He claimed the Pacific League batting title in 2022 (.347), but slumped badly this past season (.188 in 66 games).

In other words, this is very much a high-risk, high-reward signing.

Let’s unpack what this move means from both the Giants’ and Fighters’ perspectives.

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Impact on the Giants: Stabilizing the Center Line Comes First

Fixing a Broken Outfield Defense

In 2025, the Giants’ outfield defense was – to put it kindly – rough:

• 19 errors by outfielders – most in the league
• 11 of those directly led to runs – true “game-changing” mistakes

The team struggled badly to settle on a steady center fielder, and late-season starter Trey Cabbage’s status is unclear.

Into that vacuum comes Matsumoto, known for:

• Wide coverage in center
• Quick reads off the bat
• Solid speed on the bases

In other words, this is a direct hit on a glaring weakness.

You often hear,

“Even if he doesn’t hit, just having a plus glove in center changes the whole team.”

Right now, that describes the Giants perfectly.

• Trade some long balls for reliable singles and steady defense
• Give pitchers a defensive alignment that lets them pound the bottom of the zone with confidence

Even just that would significantly reduce stress on the pitching staff.

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Offense: Don’t Expect 2022 Numbers, But…

At the plate:

• 2022: Batting champ (.347)
• Most recent season: .188, a steep drop

It’s unrealistic to expect him to suddenly post another .340+ season in his first year with the Giants.

Still, as a:

• Right-handed hitting outfielder
• Capable of bunts, situational hitting, moving runners, and “small ball” execution

He offers:

• A way to balance a lefty-heavy outfield group
• A bat that fits smoothly around the cleanup or in the 7–8 hole

So even if he’s not a star bat, he has clear value within the Giants’ lineup structure.

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Leadership: The Middle-Aged Anchor for a Shifting Outfield

One more point that shouldn’t be overlooked: leadership and character.

• Served as players’ association chairman two years in a row with Nippon-Ham
• Known as a grind-it-out worker who practices a ton
• Well-liked by younger players

With Yoshihiro Maru moving deeper into his 30s and Takayuki Kajitani managing constant injury concerns, having a 30-something everyday presence in the outfield is more valuable than it might look on paper.

If Matsumoto can be:

• Defensive anchor in center, and
• A “big brother” figure among the middle group

then this move could pay off in ways that don’t show up in basic stats.

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The Downside: What Happens to the Young Outfielders?

Of course, it’s not all upside.

The Giants already have:

• Reito Nakayama
• Shunsuke Sasaki
• Louis Okoye
• And a wave of young outfielders developing in the farm

If Matsumoto locks down center:

• Raw but high-upside young outfielders may find fewer at-bats and innings
• Manager Shinnosuke Abe’s theme of “open competition” becomes harder to balance

The ideal scenario?

Matsumoto raises the standard, and the young guys are pushed to beat that standard.

Whether his arrival accelerates or slows young players’ growth will be something to watch closely.

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Impact on Nippon-Ham: A Symbolic Departure & Inevitable Generational Shift

From the Fighters’ point of view, this FA loss is more than just losing an extra outfielder.

The End of the “2011 High School Quartet” Era

Long discussed by fans, the “miracle high school quartet” from the 2011 draft is now completely gone from Nippon-Ham.

For fans, it’s:

• The feeling that one era has truly ended
• The sadness of realizing that players they’ve followed since their teens are now all elsewhere

Emotionally, it hits harder than a simple depth chart change.

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Losing Defense, a Voice in the Clubhouse & Late-Game Utility

On the field and in the dugout, Matsumoto was:

• A late-inning defensive replacement in the outfield
• A key “energy guy” with voice and presence in the dugout
• A useful defense/PR option late in games

Those are roles that don’t show up in WAR, but they matter.

On the other hand, the club clearly wants:

• Chusei Mannami
• Kotaro Kiyomiya
• And other young outfielders

to fully seize those roles and own the future.

It’s a classic case of “painful but necessary generational change.”

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Compensation: Cash or Player – The Verdict Could Flip the Evaluation

Because Matsumoto is a B-rank FA, Nippon-Ham can choose:

• Cash-only compensation, or
• Player compensation + partial cash
• If it’s cash only → invest in youth development or new foreign players
• If it’s a player → add someone from the Giants at a position of need (e.g. catcher, pitcher)

On X (Twitter), speculation is running wild:

• “They’re probably targeting a second-team catcher.”
• “Feels like they’ll take a young pitcher instead.”

Depending on who is protected and who is left exposed, this could actually become:

“It hurt to lose Matsumoto, but the compensation player made it a net positive.”

That’s very much on the table.

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Early Verdict: Too Soon to Call

Right now, the most we can say is:

• For the Giants: Matsumoto is an instant defensive and leadership boost in the outfield
• For Nippon-Ham: It’s a trigger to push generational change even harder
• The final verdict depends on:
  • Whether Matsumoto’s bat rebounds
  • Who moves as compensation

From spring camp to the opening series and beyond, we’ll get a much clearer picture of what “Go Matsumoto, Giant” really looks like.

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3. Go Matsumoto to Giants: X (Twitter) Reactions Collected

When Matsumoto’s move to the Giants was officially announced on November 26, X (formerly Twitter) exploded with:

• Excitement
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Hope

Here, based on real posts, we整理 reactions into three groups:

• Giants fans
• Fighters fans
• Neutral / other team fans

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Overall Mood: About 70% Positive, 30% Sad – With a Side of Anxiety

Roughly speaking:

• Giants fans
  → Mostly positive, praising the defensive upgrade and his decision to choose the Giants
• Fighters fans
  → Very sad to see him go, but largely respectful of his choice and supportive of his future
• Neutral fans
  → Analyze the move calmly in terms of compensation and roster-building

Overall, it feels about 70% welcome / 30% sadness, with a steady undercurrent of:

“I’m scared of who we’re going to lose as compensation…”

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Giants Fans: “Defensive Savior” & “Comeback Story” Expectations

On Giants-fan timelines, we see comments like:

“First of all, thank you for choosing the Giants”

• “With so many players dreaming of MLB, thanks for choosing the Giants.”
• “Anyone who picks the Giants in FA is someone I want to cherish as a fan.”

In recent years, FA has no longer been “Giants or bust”, so fans increasingly value players who actively choose them.

Expecting an Instant Defensive Upgrade

• “Our outfield errors were a joke last season. Just having a real center fielder is huge.”
• “If he hits around .280 that’s more than enough. Just please stabilize center and help the pitchers.”

The worse you thought the outfield defense was last year, the more you appreciate a steady glove in center.

“Please make me eat my words” posts

There are also plenty of honest takes like:

• “When the rumor first dropped I thought, ‘is this really an upgrade?’ But now that he’s coming, I just hope he makes me eat my words.”
• “I’m generally pro-FA, and Matsumoto has that ‘trying to reboot his career’ feel that makes me want to pull for him even more.”

At the end of the day, Giants fans are very simple about results:

“If you produce, we’ll love you. If you don’t, we’ll say so.”

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Fighters Fans: Hurt, But Ultimately Wishing Him Well

Fighters-fan timelines are full of posts heavy with memories and farewell feelings.

“Seeing ‘Giants’ in writing hits harder than expected”

• “I thought I was ready, but seeing ‘Go Matsumoto, joining the Giants’ in text is brutal.”
• “No more ‘This is Go Matsumoto!’ announcements at the JR station… that thought alone made me tear up.”

This is that classic feeling where:

“Your head knows it’s possible, but your heart needs time to catch up.”

Respecting His Decision

At the same time, many posts sound like this:

• “If this is what he decided after thinking it through, I’m not going to criticize it. I’m just going to support him from afar.”
• “Thank you for saying you love Hokkaido. I really hope you succeed with the Giants.”

Feeling the End of the “’93 Generation”

Others touch on the larger picture:

• “So the entire ’93 group that built that era is gone now…”
• “I get that they want to go young, but it still feels like a lot of unfinished business.”

Matsumoto’s move forced fans to confront the reality of a new post-’93 era.

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Compensation & Roster Anxiety: “Who’s Going to Get Taken?”

On X, talk about FA compensation is nearly as heated as talk about Matsumoto himself.

• B-rank, so it’s cash or player compensation
• Nippon-Ham publicly says they’ll think carefully after procedures are complete
• Fans are already holding their own “who gets protected?” draft

“Backup catcher in danger?” theory

• “Fighters are thin at catcher, so they’ll probably target a Giants 2nd-team catcher.”
• “With Kai coming in, what happens to guys like Oshiro? I’m honestly worried.”

Both fanbases are watching the catcher situation closely.

“Please just make it cash…”

• “If this could just be cash-only compensation, everyone would sleep better.”
• “I’d rather pay more money than lose another important piece.”

For Giants fans, the Chono saga is still a painful memory, so many are bracing for “that kind” of surprise again.

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X’s Early Verdict on the Move

To sum up:

• Giants fans
  → Welcome Matsumoto as a defensive upgrade and potential comeback story, but know that performance + compensation will decide how they feel in the long run
• Fighters fans
  → Deeply saddened, but largely respectful and supportive of his decision to chase a new stage
• Shared anxiety
  → Unease over which important player might move as compensation

For now, emotions are still fresh and immediate.
Real judgment will come during:

• Spring training
• Opening weeks of the season

…when fans see what Matsumoto actually brings on the field.

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4. Go Matsumoto FA Compensation: Who’s on the Giants’ “Bubble” for Protection?

Finally, we get to the most nerve-wracking topic for fans:

“Who is going to get taken as compensation?”

Here, we’ll整理:

• Basic FA compensation rules
• How the Giants are likely thinking about their 28-man protected list
• Names floating around online as “on the bubble”

This is all speculative “fan brain exercise”, but it’s part of the fun of following offseason roster building.

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Quick Rule Refresher: B-Rank FA = “Shared Pain”

Starting with the basics:

• Go Matsumoto is a B-rank FA (team salary rankings: 4th–10th)
• The Giants must provide Nippon-Ham with either:
  • Cash compensation, or
  • One unprotected player + partial cash

To prepare for that, the Giants will:

• Select 28 players as “absolutely cannot lose” and protect them
• Note that foreign players and the most recent draft class are automatically excluded from the selection pool

Nippon-Ham will then choose based on:

• Team needs (thin positions)
• Age, salary, and upside

In short, they look for:

“Who gives us the most value right now and in the future?”

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Giants’ Likely Priorities: Defense, Catchers, & the Center Line

From Shinnosuke Abe’s first year as manager, his tendencies are clear:

• Heavy emphasis on defense
• Special focus on catchers and the middle infield
• Happy to give chances to young players, but also appreciates reliable veterans

Based on that, we can guess:

• Catchers will be protected as much as possible
• Middle infielders (shortstop/second) will be guarded carefully
• Some outfielders and middle relievers may be viewed as “possible sacrifices”

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Bubble Zone 1: Second-Team Catchers – What About Takumi Oshiro?

The hottest topic is obviously the catching group.

In recent years, the Giants have:

• Longtime mainstays like Takumi Oshiro and Seiji Kobayashi
• Added catchers via draft and trade
• Brought in yet another top catching option

This creates a crowded depth chart.

Oshiro: Must-Protect or Trade Chip?

Online debate includes takes like:

• “With an elite defensive catcher coming in, Oshiro’s role is getting tricky.”
• “He’s on a multi-year deal and not cheap. Maybe the team leaves him unprotected and dares Nippon-Ham to take him.”

On the one hand:

• A catcher who can hit still has huge value
• On the other, his 2025 season was underwhelming, and his usage is now complicated

Given that:

• Nippon-Ham really needs an instant-impact catcher, and
• Oshiro still has enough track record to be attractive

If he were left unprotected (big “if”), he would immediately jump to the top of any Nippon-Ham wish list.

Second-Team Catchers Also in the Danger Zone

Beyond Oshiro:

• There are multiple catchers who are on the 40-man / 70-man roster, but see little first-team action
• Some are at the age where it’s now or never

From Nippon-Ham’s perspective, these guys look like:

“Exactly the right age and cost profile to compete soon.”

So none of them can feel completely safe.

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Bubble Zone 2: Veteran Infielders – The Sakamoto Question

The most emotional flashpoint:

“Do you absolutely protect Hayato Sakamoto, or…?”

Facts:

• He’s the face of the franchise and a surefire Meikyukai-level legend
• At the same time, he’s at veteran age and no longer in peak defensive range
• His salary is high, and from a purely analytical view, his roster fit is complex

So this becomes a collision between:

• Roster logic, and
• Respect for a franchise icon

Yutaka Fukumoto’s Take: Protect Him, Period

Former stolen-base king Yutaka Fukumoto has already said in media:

“Watching someone like Sakamoto move via FA compensation wouldn’t be good for NPB culture. You have to protect his pride.”

Many fans strongly agree.

“What If They Deliberately Leave Him Exposed?” Talk

Some fans have floated more game-theory style ideas:

• “It’s not realistic, but if they did leave him unprotected, Nippon-Ham might hesitate to actually take him. That mind game isn’t 0% possible, right?”

Realistically, it’s almost unimaginable for the club to actually do that.
It remains more of a “what if” thought experiment than a real option.

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Bubble Zone 3: Young-to-Mid Career Pitchers – Especially Lefties & Swingmen

Among pitchers, the likeliest targets for Nippon-Ham are:

• Left-handed relievers, and
• Pitchers who’ve worked in both rotation and bullpen – the “Swiss army knife” types

In recent seasons, Nippon-Ham has:

• Seen some young starters emerge, but
• Struggled with bullpen depth and stability

So from their seat, the ideal compensation pitcher is:

“Has some first-team experience, isn’t too old or too young, and can help the staff immediately.”

“Stalled” Middle-Core Pitchers at Giants = High-Risk

For the Giants, there are definitely pitchers who:

• Put up decent numbers in the farm
• Are one step away from breaking out in the first team
• But are blocked by a deep rotation or crowded bullpen

The club simply can’t protect all of them.

From Nippon-Ham’s point of view, these are exactly the types who might:

“Blossom once the environment changes.”

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Early Read: Catcher or Pitcher Most Likely, But Surprises Always Happen

Putting it together:

• Most logical compensation candidates are catchers or pitchers
• A legendary infielder like Sakamoto moving as compensation is extremely unlikely
• However, history shows that FA compensation often produces a “no way they picked him!” shock

In the end, compensation is the “price you pay” for FA signings:

• Plus side → Adding Go Matsumoto
• Minus side → Losing someone else

Whether this offseason is remembered as a success will depend on the final balance of those two.

Until the list and the final decision are made public, fans will have to live with a bit of anxiety.
But that tension is also part of the offseason fun:

• Who would you protect?
• Who’s on your bubble line?

Making your own list and debating it is just another great way to enjoy being a fan of this game and this team.