NPB Next-Season Contract Risk by Club (2026)

Data as of

How hard it may be to keep a roster contract next season, seen from performance and contract status.

As of Oct 8

Expected by club

In the grades, A is the side where the contract is more likely to continue and G the less likely side.

Expected is a guide to how many players will not keep a roster contract next season.

  • HanshinExpected 6.3 players

  • YomiuriExpected 5.5 players

  • DeNAExpected 6.7 players

  • HiroshimaExpected 9.9 players

  • YakultExpected 7.1 players

  • ChunichiExpected 7.4 players

  • SoftBankExpected 6.1 players

  • SeibuExpected 6.3 players

  • Nippon-HamExpected 6.4 players

  • ORIXExpected 6.9 players

  • LotteExpected 7.2 players

  • RakutenExpected 7.0 players

See nextClub strength breakdownHighest-rated club in its leagueHanshin PitchingA+ BattingA−Nippon-Ham PitchingB− BattingB−Club strength breakdownSalary guidePer-player guides built from career stats since joiningFA eligibleDomestic and international FA rights by clubAge profile, all 12Registered and development players by age

Track record (2025)

Players in each grade and how many of them were actually listed as released.

Scroll right for more

Grade Players Released Share
A 55 2 4 %
B 82 1 1 %
C 163 9 6 %
D 136 24 18 %
E 65 38 58 %
F 27 19 70 %
G 16 12 75 %

These values apply the same calculation to a past season after the fact; this page did not exist then. Seasons of records used: 1.

Advertisements

Expected and actual by club

Scroll right for more

Club Expected Released
Hanshin 5.7 8
Yomiuri 6.3 11
DeNA 5.7 6
Hiroshima 7.4 9
Yakult 6.8 12
Chunichi 4.4 5
SoftBank 5.5 8
Seibu 4.1 9
Nippon-Ham 6.3 7
ORIX 6.9 9
Lotte 9.8 11
Rakuten 6.5 10
Advertisements

What this figure does and does not look at

  • A guide based on years, playing time, the change from last season and output within the same group at the club.
  • Players who moved during the season, foreign players, development players and players in their first two years are not covered.
  • Departures not in the official notices (such as voluntary retirement or moves overseas) are not included.
  • Club announcements are not reflected until they appear in the official notices.
  • Actual contracts are decided between the club and the player.

The estimated figures are worked out by this site and are not official announcements.

Frequently asked questions

What does this page look at?

Only years, playing time, the change from last season and output within the same group at the club. Club policy, injuries, character and popularity are not considered.

Why is this player's grade low?

Before the release notices, while grades are shown, the factors column on each club page lists up to three kinds of factors that lower the grade. We do not answer questions about individual players.

What happens once the release notices come out?

Players in the release notices lose their grade and factors and show only the notice date. After the main batch of notices, grades by player are closed and the page shows released and expected numbers by club.

Advertisements

Read more