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11/27/2003 Archived Entry: "Japanese Baseball News: Iwamura in MLB in 2005? Shimoyanagi Hires Boras"

November 26, 2003

 

Hanshin

The Tigers may have a new competitor or maybe even two more in addition to the Yokohama Bay Stars for free agent lefthander Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi. The tough looking but shy southpaw has hired Scott Boras to become the much reviled agent's first ever Japanese client and is being checked out by both San Diego and Seattle. The Mariners, perhaps seeing Shimoyanagi's $450,000 current salary, are perhaps hoping that the former Daiei Hawk could fill a perpetually problematic hole in the lefthanded part of their bullpen. Ironically, they are apparently willing to part with righthander Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who was one of the most effective relievers last season against lefty stickmen since the Hasegawa's price tag is more than what they feel they can afford. The M's don't need any starting pitching, so that would consign Shimoyanagi to a middle relief or spot role. He has been death to lefthanders, even posting a .202 average against them in 2001, when he got hammered. He was also cuffed around in 2002, but after being traded to Hanshin, rebounded to have a solid campaign, especially down the stretch. His fastball only gets up to 85-86mph, so he has to also be able to spot his shuuto, slider and forkball to be effective. That Boras would take him on despite him being a cheap commodity is no doubt a calculation by Boras to get him in the Japanese door. Boras' name is also being linked to Koji Uehara, but that report is vague and Boras can't negotiate for Uehara anyway in Japan since he isn't a member of the Japanese Bar Association. In any event, an executive with the Japanese players association accused Yomiuri of treating its charges like children.       Hideki Irabu has agreed to a new two year pact worth a total of 700 million yen (about $6.3 million), including incentives. Sorry Phillies fans. We all know how anxious you were to get a toad in your tank after the Japanese press said that your ballclub was a suitor. Plus if you booed him, he wouldn't have gotten discouraged. He would have thought you were just saying his name. Kidding aside, Hanshin can buyout the second year of that deal if it wants to unload him.       George Arias has reupped with the Osaka side for another year at a cost of $2.7 million. Even with that, they are still going to bring in Mike Kinkade from the Dodgers, though how they will make room for him is an open question. They may have to jettison a foreign pitcher or somebody will end up being stuck in the minors. Right now, negotiations with lefty Trey Moore are not going well, the two sides far apart on salary. So he may end up being the odd man out here.       Pinch hitting specialist Hiroshi Yagi will be $90,000 richer next season with his newest deal that saw his salary ascend to $450,000. Meanwhile, outfielder Osamu Hamanaka saw that shoulder surgery cost him a $18,000 decrease in salary.       Centerfielder Norihiro Akahoshi is demanding that the outfield seats be made wheelchair accessible. "Koshien Stadium is a hard place for people in wheelchairs to come," he said during a tv program at an Osaka area station. There is seating for wheelchair using fans in an area of the infield stands. Akahoshi donates a wheelchair for every base he steals to charitiesd and agencies for the handicapped. Tigers team president Nozaki, in replying to Akahoshi's request, stated that they would look into improving wheelchair facilities the next time they renovate the ballpark.       The Tigers have a victory trip planned for Australia this offseason, but a lot of the players are begging off. So far, of the 40 players who have been invited to go, only about 15 or 16 have said they would make the journey to the Gold Coast. Team officials are angry, saying that they had surveyed the players about where and when to go before making plans. Ace Kei Igawa and leftfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto are two who refused the vacation, insisting that it would interefere with their training schedules. Times continue to change in Japan, no?

Chunichi

The club showed off its new indoor practice facility, which is located on the site where Nagoya Stadium used to be. It is reportedly the largest such workout room in Japanese pro ball. The team's new dormitory is adjacent to it and manager Hiromitsu Ochiai has forbidden the players to drink alcohol or gamble on the grounds.       Catcher Motonobu Tanishige will make the same $2.3 million plus incentives next season that he did in 2003. He will also, at the request of Ochiai, change his number from seven to one in double figures. No real reason for the demand was given, though it seems it is part of Ochiai's plan to shake the team up a bit by moving some numbers around.       Despite not being taken until the fifth round, outfielder Koji Nakamura took a big signing bomus of $900,000, a $100,000 salary and could make another $450,000 in incentives. The rookie was startled at the amounts involved. He is seen as a possible future cleanup hitter.

Yomiuri

Ace Koji Uehara will meet with Giants officials Thursday and won't talk salary, but will instead make his case for allowing an agent to negotiate on his behalf. The righthander plans to talk the bigwigs' ears off in hopes of reversing a policy handed down by owner Tsuneo Watanabe. Watanabe has threatened to go so far as to release any player who doesn't like it. Of course, maybe that is what Uehara wants in the end, since plenty of MLB clubs would like to have him. Uehara, though, at least publically, states that he isn't thinking about MLB, but just wants to leave the money issues to his agent while he concentrates solely on preparing for the 2004 schedule.

Yakult

According to Sports Nippon, Yakult Swallows third baseman Akinori Iwamura may ask to be posted following the end of the coming season. The Gold Glove all star infielder, whose 2003 was interrupted by a long stint on the disabled list due to an Opening Day wrist ligament injury, has been attempting to pick up english from teammate Alex Ramirez while also ardently following MLB via the internet and television. IBodywise, Iwamura is a Ron Cey with speed and canalso  play both second and centerfield. Lifetime, he has batted .291 with 82 homers and 288 RBIs.       Sixth round draft choice Satoshi Sato concluded his first pro contract for a little over $80,000 in salary and a $45,000 signing bonus. The Yamagata native is a sidearming lefty out of Meiji University and will wear number 13 and may see middle relief action in 2004 with the big club.      Free agent closer Shingo Takatsu celebrated his 35th birthday Tuesday.

Hiroshima

Hiroki Kuroda, who emerged as the team's best hurler this season, and veteran infielder Kenjiro Nomura will train in Arizona this offseason. It was apparently suggested to him by Yakult reliever Hirotoshi Ishii.       Infielder Takahiro Arai, who was a major disappointment after a nice 2002, signed on to an unspecified pay cut.

Daiei

20 game winner and Sawamura Award recipient Kazumi Saito wants one heck of a pay raise this offseason and is willing to take his time to get it, if that is necessary. He made about $275,000 this past season, but is hoping to attain the magic 100 million yen (approximately $900,000) mark. With Hiroki Kokubo's big contract (for Japan, anyway) out of the way, that clears some space in the salary budget. Unfortunately, though, team management could choose to give the lion's share of that to catcher and MVP Kenji Johjima and first baseman Nobuhiko Matsunaka while arguing that Saito has only had one truly injury free year. So we'll see how this plays out in the next couple of months.       Second baseman Tadahito Iguchi plans to pin the club down on just when they will allow him to be posted during his upcoming contract negotiations. He strongly wants to play in MLB and the sooner he can go, the better.

Seibu

Third baseman Scott McClain will not be retained. They will look for another foreign player, one who can handle both third and short.       Free agent shortstop Kazuo Matsui told Sports Illustrated that he wants to compete with Derek Jeter for the shortstop's job should he throw in his lot with the Yankees. Mariners Pacific Rim scouting head Ted Heid was quoted as saying that in terms of range, Matsui compares well with former M Omar Vizquel.

Kintetsu

The Buffaloes players are so disappointed with leftfielder Tuffy Rhodes likely defection to Yomiuri that they had their players union rep, Koichi Isobe, ask for an explanation from team management as to why the departure happened.       Outfielder Shinji Shimoyama will marry a 28 year old former flight attendant in December. The two met through a mutual friend while Shimoyama was playing in the industrial leagues with Nihon Seimei.

Lotte

Manager Bobby Valentine visited the city hall of Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, saying that the mayor should prepare for Lotte's victory parade at the end of next season when they win the Japan Series. He also told the governor of the prefecture that he will let him ride in a car with him during the parade. While all this was done in good humor and may be part of Valentine's attempt to psyche himself up for the coming campaign, I think that the ballclub's fans would be satisfied with just getting ace Tomohiro Kuroki healthy again. There hasn't been any word yet of the former Mets skipper meeting with the righty, but he should make it a priority.       Veteran outfielder Toshio Haru ate a 43% salary reduction to around $360,000 in the wake of finishing below the Mendoza Line. That is about $270,000 below his 2003 pay.      Number three draft choice Hiroshi Sugihara, a pitcher, snatched a $360,000 signing bonus and a $43,000 salary.

Nippon Ham

Manager Trey Hillman sat in Sunday during a negotiating session with number two draft choice Hideki Sunaga, who had hoped to go to Yomiuri. Sunaga initially refused the Fighters offer on draft day, but now seems to be wavering after the session with Hillman. Wednesday, Sunaga met again with team officials sans Hillman and while he was non commital, he is at least still leaving open a slight possibility of actually accepting a slot with the soon to be Hokkaido outfit.       Lefthander Masaru Yoshizaki scooped up a $100,000 salary rise to more than double his pay packet to $180,000.

Orix

Shot caller Haruki Ihara revealed that he is going to run his players so much that steam will be coming out of their bodies. He will also work on shoring up their fundamentals with the purpose of perhaps reducing the myriad miscues that they made this past season.       Number three draft choice Tatsuo Kato has put his hanko on a contract for a $135,000 salary and $450,000 in incentives while carting off another $100,000 in signing bomus money. He will wear number 12.

Miscellaneous

Akinori Otsuka is hoping for a multi-year deal from San Diego. Otsuka, who was helping to conduct a baseball clinic for elementary school age kids in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture Monday, said that if he could get at least a two year agreement, it would permit him time to really get settled down in the big leagues.