Sponichi has a brief report saying that Ryota Igarashi has received his first MLB offer — a one-year deal from an unnamed team. In the words of the source Sponichi cites: “it was a one-year, major league contract. His elbow (which he had surgery on in 2006) is not a problem, and they see him as someone who could perform in a middle relief role.”
The Orioles, Pirates, Giants and Rangers have shown interest in Igarashi, but there’s no indication that one of these teams made the offer.
The article suggests that the two sides have been negotiating, but are still a few dollars apart. Chunichi has reportedly offered $200k, a $50k raise from 2009, while Payano is looking for $250k. It doesn’t seem like an insurmountable gap, but Payano seems like he’s already made up his mind to go back to MLB affiliated ball. “I haven’t signed yet, but I feel that I want to play in America next year,” said Payano, later adding “I appreciate being able to play for a year with the Dragons, and the championship battle with the Giants is a good memory.”
According to the article, Payano already has interest from Korea and multiple MLB teams, including the Rockies.
I didn’t see Payano pitch this season, but my data indicates that he’s a primarily a fastball/slider pitcher.
Losing Payano would put Chunichi down a lefty reliever, a situation compounded by the Dragons’ failure to sign sixth-round draft pick Takahiro Suwabe. Look for Chunichi to rely on Domingo Martinez’s ability to locate Dominican talent once again to fill this role.
There’s no indication of whether the O’s view Takahashi as a starter or reliever, but international scouting director John Stockstill said that if the team does make him an offer, it won’t be until January. Baltimore has become active in the Japanese free agent market; last year they were in on Kenshin Kawakami, were the only MLB to look at Ryoji Aikawa, and eventually signed Uehara and Ryohei Tanaka. I could see them picking up Hideki Matsui this offseason as well.
A couple of items from the nichibei free agent market…
According to Sponichi, Takashi Saito has eight teams interested, including the White Sox, Cubs, Braves and Mets. The Braves had some interest in Saito way back in 2002 but he wound up remaining with Yokohama.
Multiple reports are saying the Yomiuri Giants are going after Masahide Kobayashi. The Giants would use him in a middle relief role.
38 year-old second baseman Toshihisa Nishi has compiled a DVD and sent it Stateside, to no immediate effect. Nishi, released by the BayStars, is looking for a camp invite from a major league club.
Despite the fact that we’ve known for some time that Hisanori Takahashi would a candidate to jump to MLB this offseason, the Yomiuri lefty hasn’t gotten much virtual ink on this site. I’ve actually had a draft profile on him sitting un-started since June, but time has been an issue this year and I’ve prioritized other content.
Instead of an in-depth profile, I’ll give a quick bird’s eye view of Takahashi and his MLB credentials:
Turns 35 on April 2, 2010
Is coming off a solid 2009 campaign: 10-6, 2.94 ERA, 121/36 K/BB in 144 IP
Made 135m yen ($1.3m) in 2009
Started pro career in 2000 at age 26, after playing both college and industrial league ball
Isn’t going to overwhelm anyone with an 85-90 mph fastball
Has an excellent screwball, which he induces grounders and misses bats with; should be a plus pitch at the MLB level as well
Also has a two-seam fastball, slider and curve; the two-seamer is a pretty good pitch
No shortage of velocity info on him at our data site (note: screwball shows up as a “sinker” on in our data; two-seam as “shuuto”)
Has never been a huge innings eater in Japan: career high is 186.2 IP (2007), has twice thrown 163 (2002, 2005), next highest total is 144 (2009)
Was not a lefty killer in 2009: lefties hit .300 against him (48/160), while holding righties to .250 (99/396)
Did keep lefties in the park in 2009: only three of his 16 home runs allowed came against lefties
Is represented by Peter Greenberg, who gotanother Takahashi (Ken) a deal with the Blue Jays and later the Mets last year, and recently lost Hideki Okajima. Had he kept Okajima, Greenberg could have really cornered the market on Japanese lefties
Takahashi has said he wants to continue in a starting role after he crosses the Pacific, but putting everything together he seems better suited for the bullpen. That said, assuming his screwball doesn’t get lost in translation, I don’t see why he can’t be an effective reliever in the Okajima mold.
So far the Giants and Rangers have been noted in the Japanese media as interested, though I suspect the Rangers will come up for everyone because of Jim Colborn’s presence. Takahashi himself has said that he would like to wind up on the same team as former Yomiuri teammate Hideki Matsui, but the NL West would likely be the most amenable destination for him.
Out of the 87 players eligible to file for free agency this off-season, only five players filed for free agency including Ryota Igarashi and Hisanori Takahashi declaring as international free agents.
The other three players filing for free agency are thought to make a move within the NPB. The Yakult Swallows remain the team interested in INF Atsushi Fujimoto and the Yokohama BayStars are the front runner for C Tasuku Hashimoto. LHP Shugo Fujii from the Nippon Ham Fighters has also declared free agency and his destination is still up in the air, but a re-connection with the Fighters is unlikely.
We mentioned on Twitter that Hisanori Takahashi has declared free agency and will try to catch on with an MLB club via twitter. Hochi sports conducted an one-on-one interview with Takahashi after making the decision and here is our English translation of it.
– When did you start considering the Major Leagues?
“The desire to accomplish my dream has gotten stronger since last year. After watching Koji Uehara play baseball overseas, my admiration for Major Leagues increased.”
– Was there a possibility of staying put?
“I received good termｓ from the Giants. Staying might have been the better decision, but I appreciate the organization understanding my selfish desire to attempt my dream.”
– What is memorable moment with the Giants?
“When we won the ON (Oh-Nagashima) match-up and won the championship in my rookie season at 2000. Throwing a shutout game in that series is unforgettable as well.”
– Which team do you hope to play for?
“A team that needs me. I would be happiest if the team uses me as a starter. I feel like I can best show my strengths when I am starting. I would like to stick with that.”
– Any hope toward your challenge to the Majors?
“If I did not have confidence, I would not be making this decision. It’s my one and only baseball life. I would like to challenge as if I am a rookie.”
Daily Sports has a report saying that the Braves have some interest in signing Hidetaka Kawagoe, who was release by the Orix Buffaloes at the end of the season. Kawagoe, 36, moved from the rotation to the bullpen during the 2009 season, and profiles better as a reliever regardless of which league he next plays in. The Chiba Lotte Marines have also been kicking the tires on Kawagoe, and appear to be his most likely destination if he stays in Japan.
Pirates GM Neil Huntington: “In acquiring(Akinori) Iwamura, we opened the door to getting Japanese players. We gave up a middle reliever to get Iwamura, so he [Igarashi] is a player we have interest in.”
Giants GM Brian Sabean: “It’s not our top priority, but he’s a player we’re looking into.”
Agent Arn Tellem: “There is high interest for stoppers in the majors. He’s a player that a lot of teams should show interest in, and we expect good results from him.”
Clearly a little agent-speak there at the end. As a side note, Igarashi and Iwamura played together with Yakult in Japan.
Patrick » 08 November 2009 » In mlb prospects » Comments Off on Igarashi to Pursue MLB
Nikkan Sports and others are reporting that Yakult fireballer Ryota Igarashi has decided on pursuing an MLB contract for next season.
Igarashi has hooked on with star agent Arn Tellem for representation, and visited the States in October to take in the American League playoffs. The 30 year-old right gets by with an explosive fastball that reaches the upper-90’s and a hard forkball. For more, please see our profile of him, posted last June.