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10/31/2003 Archived Entry: "Japanese Baseball News: Nomo and Hasegawa to Yankees? Valentine Coming Saturday"
Nomo May Go to Yanks as Part of Deal for Soriano
According to Sankei Sports, Dodgers righthander Hideo Nomo is hoping to be traded to the Yankees for a world series shot and he may get his wish. The proposed deal would involve Alfonso Sorianoor Nick Johinson coming to L.A. With the develpment of Eddie Jackson, GM Dan Evans is reported to think that he has enoughy room in his rotation now to move some pitching for much needed bat.
The same article also says that free agent Andy Pettitite's wife Laura would like the lefthander to ply his trade close to their Texas home, making the Yanks need for a veteran arm even more accute.
The same paper also claims that Mariners free agent reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa also wants to go to New York. The Yankees middle relief was rather shaky this past season and the veteran contol artist would be a good start to curing that defect. The former Orix righthander is looking for a pay boost over the $1.8 million he collected in 2003 and George Steinbrenner is willing to spend to produce a champion.
Team Reports
Yakult After a report yesterday that closer Shingo Takatsu was likely to stay upon getting word of the Swallows latest contract offer, a Sports Nippon article Thursday claims that the sidearmer is unhappy with only a 10% pay raise to about $2 million. He also reportedly wants a longer term deal. He says that it is "50-50" now as to whether he will stay or try to go to MLB....The front office announced the acquisition of Diamondbacks farmhand Billy Martin. This past season, he batted .346 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 53 games. He arrived in Japan Thursday for a physical and will take part in the club's fall camp. He has no MLB experience. He was a 34th round draft pick by the Mets in 1998 and stands 6'2" and 213 pounds. And unlike his namesake, Martin is said to be laidback and friendly.
Hanshin Now retired infielder Katsumi Hirosawa will become a commentator for NHK.
Chunichi Kenshin Kawakami threw 58 pitches in the bullpen Thursday. He also said that he wants to do his offseason training in Saipan.
Yokohama The Stars have locked up Nihon Bunri University hurler Teruaki Yoshikawa for the November draft. They believe that he will be able to step in and help the club rightaway. Another pitcher, Daisuke Mori of Mitsubishi Fuso Kawasaki's industrial league outfit, will meet with Yokohama scouts on the fifth and it is expected that he will agree to throw in his lot with them. The Stars are looking for players who can help them right now and will bypass taking any high schoolers this time around. They are also likely to add Meiji University moundsman Shigeki Ushida and his teammate, infielder Shigenori Kuremoto.
Seibu The Baltimore Orioles say that they have "contacted representatives for Kazuo Matsui," though they don't spell out who that is. But if you're a fan of that distinguised east coast franchise, don't get your hopes up.
Daiei Second baseman Tadahito Iguchi formally requested to be posted to MLB Thursday. Owner Nakauchi is opposed to the move from a player personnel standpoint, but nonetheless "comprehends" the move. His letting his star infielder go also may be partially due to a report that he will double catcher Kenji Johjima's salary from around $1.8 to $3.6 million a year and that's even before you get to the parent company's financial troubles. You can read a Japan Times piece about it Here...For you stamp collectors out there, post offices in Kyushu will be selling stamps commemorating the Hawks Japan Series championship. One sheet is 2310 yen, including tax. They go on sale November 13 and will be purveyed until December 12....A Japan Times report says that centerfielder Arihito Muramatsu will not exercise his free agent rights and remain in Fukuoka.
Nippon Ham They intend to go after Kazuo Matsui. Not gonna happen, folks.
Lotte Bobby Valentine is coming to Japan Saturday and will meet with team officials on Sunday for a negotiating session, where it is expected he will officially sign. A Lotte spokesman declined comment about all this.
Orix Sankei Sports quotes Leon Lee as saying that he is holding off on making a decision on an offer by the club to become a roving batting instructor. He won't be taking part in the team's fall camp.
Miscellaneous The pitching coach of the Japanese olympic qualifying team, Yutaka Ono, suggested that Koji Uehara could end up closing some games. There aren't that many games in the tournament, so that gives the Japanese side some options. Moreover, their pitchers obviously need some work to stay sharp. Uehara hasn't had a relief appearance in a regular season contest since September, 2001....Team manager Shigeo Nagashima may put Pacific League Rookie of the Year Tsuyoshi Wada into the starting slot for game one of the tourney rather than Hiroshi Kisanuki or Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda will likely be made a fixture in the bullpen, according to latest reports....Yuya Ando has joined the squad and threw 20 pitches in the bullpen Thursday. He will be used in the same role he was with Hanshin, as a righthanded setup man....Koji Sakai, who is the pitching coach for the Taiwan contingent, was relieved that more Hanshin and Daiei players aren't on the Japan roster. "The fact that they don't have [Yakult catcher Atsuya] Furuta is huge, too," he remarked optimistically. Even so, it is expected that the Japanese side will buzzsaw their way through the competition.
In the News
MLB Teams Drool Over Little Matsui
See story at: USA Today Article
A Matsui Deal Could Pay for Mets
See story at: Newark Star-Ledger Article
Touching All the Bases in Japan
See story at: Asahi Shimbun Article
Kim the Japan Killer
See story at: Dong-A Ilbo Article
Daiei Gets 20 Billion Yen Break
See story at: Asahi Shimbun Article
Replies: 1 Comment
Ichiro to be traded from Seattle to the NY Yankees? Would the Mariners consider trading Ichiro to make room to get Little Matsui?
Posted by Ichiro51 @ 11/03/2003 01:35 PM EST
