The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks had hoped to absorb the loss of three top pitchers and their starting shortstop to free agency and maintain their high standards, but it appears the defending Japan Series champions may be sinking into mediocrity as the 2012 season approaches its one-third mark.
Through games of Wednesday, the Hawks are treading water, playing just two games over the .500 mark in the Pacific League pennant race with a record of 22-20 and two ties. Moreover, they are a B-Class team, having fallen into fourth place behind the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
The Hawks and their fans knew it would be tough to replace pitchers D.J. Houlton, Toshiya Sugiuchi and Tsuyoshi Wada. Houlton and Sugiuchi bolted to the Yomiuri Giants, while Wada headed for the major leagues and the Baltimore Orioles, although he is out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery.