NPB Tracker

NPB has launched an English version of it’s homepage. With opportunities increasing for Japanese players to compete on international stages such as the Olympics and the WBC, the demadn for an English resource for the league had been mounting.

There’s nothing fancy on the website yet, but the launch of an English page is a step toward the right direction for NPB. Individual team rosters, stats, schedules, brief history and the stadium information is listed so far. Also the roster for the WBC Japanese team can be seen as well.

Surprising news out of Japan today — apparently the Marlins are close to a deal that would land them Yu Darvish. The Marlins’ management team has found a way to work around the posting system – offering Darvish’s current team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, an ownership stake in the team.  Nippon Ham has granted the Marlins an exclusive negotiating window with Darvish and if they can agree to terms, the Nippon Ham will release him and take over their reportedly significant share of the Marlins franchise.

A person familiar with the negotiations was quoted as saying, “it’s the beginning of April and the Marlins almost fooled themselves that they were ready to compete with the Phillies and Mets with the roster they have. Getting Darvish should push them over the top.” Added Japanese analyst Shigatsu Jodan, “this gives the company the opportunity to keep Darvish in the Nippon Ham family and should open up a great new market in south Florida for the company’s ham, pork and bacon products.” Darvish’s agent Aberilu Furu issued a firm “no comment”.

I certainly didn’t see this one coming.

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