Sanspo: Hanshin Moving to Acquire Reinforcements

» 19 May 2009 » In npb »

Sanspo has published multiple articles about the Kevin Mench situation. This one says the Tigers have a list of six or seven guys, and quotes team president Nobuo Minami as saying they won’t release Mench, but are looking for him to make adjustments. An earlier report has Hanshin sending a team representative to America to negotiate a contract with a new slugger. According to the article, the trip is being delayed by the swine flu scare, but scouts Tom O’Malley and Andy Sheets are collecting data.

Sanspo is putting former Seibu Lion Craig Brazell in the lead for the spot. Brazell is with the St. Paul Saints after getting cut by Baltimore at the end of spring training, and should be available at a discount price. Surprisingly, Julio Zuleta’s name has been mentioned again. Zuleta had some good years in Fukuoka, but was pretty bad in his last few NPB seasons with Chiba Lotte, and currently sports a .233/.315/.391 line in the Mexican League. 

So who else might be on Hanshin’s list? They’re clearly after a power hitter who can play first base or right field.

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  1. Patrick
    Playball
    19/05/2009 at 11:36 am Permalink

    I’d go with Milwaukee Brewers AAAA farmhand Joe Koshansky – power left handed bat permanently stuck behind Prince Fielder and Mat Gamel.

  2. Patrick
    Christopher
    19/05/2009 at 4:12 pm Permalink

    We’re not holding our breaths here in Hanshinland. With the exception of O’Malley our recent direct imports have all tanked badly. Anyone chosen is going to have to hit the ground running.