Yakult Going After De La Cruz
When I read on mlbtraderumors.com then other day that the Padres had released Eulogio De La Cruz, I thought to myself “I wonder if an NPB team will go after him.” Turns out the Yakult Swallows are doing exactly that. Sanspo says that the Swallows are “going to acquire” De La Cruz, with an official announcement coming next week.
De La Cruz looked good against the Giants this year (I had De La Cruz mixed up with Edward Mujica), De La Cruz certainly fits the profile of hard throwing relievers that NPB teams seem to be targeting this offseason. You’d think that Yakult would be looking for him to step in to the shoes of the departing Ryota Igarasahi, but according to Sanspo they expect him to start.
12/12/2009 at 9:39 am Permalink
In your opinion how good could De La Cruz be once he makes the transition?
12/12/2009 at 11:27 am Permalink
As it turns out, I haven’t seen him pitch… but from what I read, he’s got a good arm with erratic command. So he could put things together and have a great year, like Brian Falkenborg, or struggle like Chris Resop.