The Rakuten Monkeys have made a significant investment in two foreign hitters, Dawei Sheng and another yet to be named, a move described as a "gamble" by baseball analyst Chien Ting-yuan. Chien draws parallels to the 1990s era of the Sinon Bulls (now CTBC Brothers), who also relied heavily on foreign players, particularly a strong trio of foreign pitchers. He notes that while impactful, relying on foreign talent can create instability, especially if pitching struggles. The Monkeys are hoping their investment in offensive power will outweigh potential pitching concerns. Chien suggests the team is betting that strong hitting will compensate for any weaknesses in their pitching rotation. This strategy reflects a broader trend in the CPBL towards prioritizing offensive firepower. The success of this gamble remains to be seen, but Chien’s analysis highlights the historical risks and potential rewards of building a team around foreign players.