Japanese exports 2007 ?

by ufo on May 18, 2006 1:48 AM EDT

So.. Matsuzaka is owned in all leagues that I play in. Are their any other names we should now about, who could be coming over next year? .. and specifically, are there any Free Agents?

I've heard that Akinori Iwamura (3B) was promised to be posted at the end this year, but this would be the 3rd year in a row he was promised, so i'm guessing its not defenite.... similiar story for K.Uehara, though he would be a nice prize if he did come.. anyone know his exact Free Agent year? .. these are the only 2 names i've been following, is there anyone else? (besides D.M.!)

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Ishii

Hirotoshi Ishii is supposedly coming over, but he's an RP and has been battling shoulder problems since before the WBC. Still, the last four years it's pretty much impossible to be more dominant than he has been. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/I/hirotoshi-ishii.shtml I know the Red Sox were interested in acquiring his services before they signed Keith Foulke. If he's healthy he may claim a closer job for a team like possibly even the Mariners? Anyways when he's healthy he's a lefty that throws in the low-to-mid 90s with a power slider that's unhittable when on. He's a lot like Arthur Rhodes was in his prime. Other names? Michihiro Ogasawara is a free agent in the middle of the season, but it's unlikely that he's coming stateside. Kei Igawa also has one of those agreements to be posted if he has a good season. He's off to a good start this season. Hiroki Kuroda is probably the only other guy with a possibility of coming over after this season. He's probably a middle of the rotation start at best. Igawa is probably a #3 starter in the mold of a guy like Jarrod Washburn.

by Ienpw on May 18, 2006 3:21 AM EDT reply actions

Matsuzaka

Is he definitely coming next year? I heard it was a possibility, but I'm not sure how that could happen since he's in his early 20's. He has to put in his 7 years in Japan, doesn't he?

by SmokeyJoeWood on May 18, 2006 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

Zaka

Yeah it's a possiblity. He would have to be posted by the Lions, and they might need the money posting him could bring. And no, Japanese players have to wait NINE years before free agency. Daisuke Matsuzaka is an FA after the 2008 season if I am not mistaken.

by Ienpw on May 18, 2006 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Sebu and the money rumor

i keep hearing on message boards, that the Lions ownership will post him and go for the cash.. but to me that seems very much like a rumor started by a fantasy owner and his/her wishful thinking

is their any link or article that can back up this UNFOUNDED rumor? .. please, because as far as i'm concerned, its all speculation (by Matsuzaka owners lol)... nobody good has been posted since Ichiro, so why would this happen now?

by ufo on May 19, 2006 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Sasaki

I know it's a bit off topic here, but what ever happened to Kaz Sasaki? That guy killed me in Fantasy Ball when he decided to go back to Japan, left me with no bullpen depth...THANKS ALOT!!!!

by bunner19 @ Minor League Ball on May 18, 2006 8:45 AM EDT reply actions

Sasaki retired

by Ienpw on May 18, 2006 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Kei Igawa

by Trenchtown on May 18, 2006 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Igawa

thanks.. thats 2 mentions of Igawa.. what team does he play for, and how likely would they post a star player? ... players get promises of being posted everyear, and it never happens .. even when a player becomes FA, the old team usually tries to re-sign him and go as far as writing letters, and pleading in public to the player (i.e. Johjima last year - they recruited Sadahara Oh to talk to him, ect)

by ufo on May 19, 2006 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions