Offseason Changes: Nippon Ham Fighters
Coming: Ryan Wing, Tomohiro Nioka, Masanori Hayashi, Luis Jimenez (in camp but not signed)
Going: Michael Nakamura, Takahito Kudoh, Ryan Glynn
Staying: Jason Botts, Termel Sledge, Brian Sweeney, Atsunori Inaba
Trending: a bit to the negative side
Synopsis: I think I’d rather have Nakamura than Nioka, but if Nioka bounces back and Hayashi gives the Fighters 75% of what they had with Nakamura, it will be a net gain. Those are two big “ifs” though. Yu Darvish remains the key to this though; as he goes so will the Fighters. Sho Nakata waiting in the wings doesn’t hurt either.
05/02/2009 at 5:58 am Permalink
No matter what Nioka or Darvish or anyone else does, this team cannot win until they dump their idiot manager. Fire Nashida!
05/02/2009 at 10:16 pm Permalink
Every year I say the Fighters will place 5th and almost every year they surprise me.
I just wonder which guy will actually arise upon the heap as the next real catcher on the team, since Tsuruoka can’t hit and Shinji keeps getting moved to 1B or DH. Either Ono-kun or Imanari-kun will probably step up this year…
05/02/2009 at 11:26 pm Permalink
All I can say is… I hope Nashida doesn’t bump into EJH in a dark alley this season.
06/02/2009 at 8:42 am Permalink
Patrick, I am a peaceful man, but I have to agree with you. Nashida should not come anywhere near me until after he gets fired. I almost punched a Ham calendar at a Ramen restaurant recently. They thoughtlessly put Nashida’s grinning mug on the January page.