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10/14/2003 Archived Entry: "Japanese Baseball News: Seibu Wants to Make Matsui the $7 Million Man; Takatsu Talks MLB"
Team Reports
Yomiuri Junichi Kawahara was lit up for four runs in two innings of an instructional league game Tuesday, three of those coming on a three run belt by Yoshihito Ishii. He was clocked at 86mph....Outfielder Shunsuke Hara hurt his hamstring during running drills. Even in the offseason, the Giants can't avoid injuries.
Yakult According to Sports Nippon, closer Shingo Takatsu wants to play in MLB. He is a free agent and apparently unhappy with the one year deal offered by the Swallows. But Yakult's position is understandable. Takatsu, the most prolific game finisher in Japanese history, is a 34 year old with a chronically painful elbow and one doesn't know when it will finally go kablooey on him. Supposedly, the Rangers, Indians (with whom the Swallows have a working relationship) and Mets are interested and his name has also shown up in relation to the Pades, but the righty sidearmer would have to throw middle relief there since Trevor Hoffman is the big guy in their pen. Takatsu's wife. Maki, is a former flight attendant and is said to speak passable english. The couple have also employed an english speaking Filipino maid the last few years and Takatsu has reportedly picked up quite a bit from her linguistically. In any event, some MLB teams may find his stuff underwhelming since he tops out at around 85mph, but he does throw three different sinkers and an occasional slider. Scouts say Takatsu might be able to get about a $500,000 salary from some stateside club.
Hanshin Trey Moore says he'll be ready to pitch in the Japan Series. He worked mainly on his condition Tuesday, doing some work on a stationary bike, a little running and a lot of stretching. He could start in game three of the Japan Series.
Yokohama Righthander Takashi Saito will have arthroscopic shoulder surgery on the 21st....The Stars are apparently really going to try to sign Tsuyoshi Shinjo....Manager Daisuke Yamashita acknowledged that if he doesn't win next season, he will probably be fired. Good luck.
Seibu The Lions front office is contemplating offering Kazuo Matsui over $7 million to stay with them next season. That would make him the highest paid Japanese player ever....Infielder Taisei Takagi had surgery on both his wrist and on a pinched nerve on his arm Tuesday. He should be ready in time for spring training.
Daiei Righthander Hayato Terahara was rocked in a simulated game Tuesday. One has to believe that thyis effectively torpedoes any thoughts by manager Sadaharu Oh of using him in the Japan Series unless they need somebody to pitch in a blowout.
Kintetsu Negotiations with leftfielder Tuffy Rhodes are not going well at all, according to Sankei Sports. The Buffs are said to be firm on offering only a one year contract while the former Cub wants at least two years. No word, though, on just what Yomiuri plans to put before him.
Lotte A spokesman for the ballclub says he understands that negotiations with Bobby Valentine "are going smoothly" and they expect him to arrive in Japan around November 2nd to formally sign his contract. From there, Valentine will oversee the team's fall camp. In addition, contradicting earlier reports that the former Mets skipper would come over for $2 million a year, Sankei Sports claims it may actually be closer to $3 million per.....Well, Lotte's front office has apparently decided on a clean sweep of its foreign players, with the exception of Nate Minchey. Jose Fernandez, Rick Short and Brian Sikorsky will be seeking employment elsewhere for 2004. According to the team spokesman, Fernandez can't play defense to a level that they would be happy with. Short doesn't have enough pop. Now why they won't hold on to Fernandez as a DH is a real head scratcher. In any event, Lotte officials are hoping to pick up a "name player" on the free agent market. God only knows who they have in mind, though.
Orix The team formally announced the signing of former Lions shot caller Haruki Ihara as its new field boss. He will receive a salary of about $450,000 a season for three years. On top of that, he pocketed more than $250,000 in signing bonus money.
In the News
Iguchi Has the Edge at Second Over Imaoka
See story at: Yomiuri Shimbun Article
