Oakland recently reported that Piazza will be catching after all.

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The SF Chron has just announced that the A's have acquired Jack Cust from the Padres' AAA affiliate for cash + a PTBNL.

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Hey everyone--

Haven't posted in awhile-- been pretty busy... plus... had nothing interesting to say.

ANYWAYS, crossed over this interesting article while reading MLB Trade Rumors tonight-- Derek Zumstag, author of "The Cheater's Guide To Baseball," thinks K-Rod is up to something funny. He has taken notice of his persistent cap touching before every pitch, sliding his thumb on a glob of something under the bill. The link is here

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Hey everyone--

I've noticed a lot of talk about the A's signing a left handed free agent starting pither-- Mulder, Lilly, etc, so I wanted to to post something about another guy they are looking at who is currently pitching in the NPB and will most likely be posted like Matsuzaka will be this year.

Kei Igawa of the Hanshin Tigers.

According to this article, the Oakland A's overseas scouts have met and been attending Igawa's games during this past season, showing a good amount of interest in the 27 year old left handed ace.

I reported on Igawa last offseason, when he was first denied his posting request, but many believe he will be posted like Matsuzaka this offseason.
The first article is here.

Here is his stats from this past season:

13 - 9 , 200 IP, 184 K, 3.11 ERA

Pretty good! I predict if he converts to the MLB his ERA would be maybe around 3.75.

Anyways, I believe this is a very possible signing for the A's. I know there are a lot of other teams with a lot of money, but, here's the catch-- the big fish this offseason coming from japan is MATSUZAKA, the gyroball guy. The WBC MVP. A bunch of teams are going to be throwing money to get him.

Now, Igawa isn't even the next best pitcher in this market-- 31 y.o. Hiroki Kuroda of the Hiroshima Carp is, posting a 1.84 ERA last season (better than Matsuzaka's 2.13).

So with all this attention focused on these other two pitchers, I really do think the A's have a shot at Igawa if they focus enough on him (a good report from ex-teammate and ex-A Yabu wouldn't be bad, either). I don't think he'll fetch for as much as ZITO would, which is estimated to be... what... $15+ million a year? I've gotten lost in the numbers a little.

EDIT: I just did a conversion, and Igawa made 230 million Yen last year, which converts to about $2 million US for a one year contract. If we can sign him for this much... yeah. You get the picture...

Igawa has the usual funky off-speed lefty stuff-- a very good curveball, a sinkball/splitter/fork, changeup, and a 91 mph(avg) fastball.

Anyways, yeah, check out that last article, tell me what you think.

edit: Last but not least, here is video of Igawa pitching I found on YouTube, so you can see what his style/delivery looks like.

Hope you are all well,

-CO

Hey everyone--

The A's designated Kazuhito Tadano for Assignment Tuesday.

Japan Ball Link.

What a pity. I mean, he wasnt very impressive so far in AAA, but I really had faith him in-- he's got a lot of potential.

"The 26-year-old Tadano was 0-2 with a 9.62 ERA in nine games, including three starts, at Triple-A Sacramento before the A's move 'to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.'"

For who?

Hope you are well---

-CO

p.s.--

マット・ワトソン
Matthew Kyle Watson　

edit: Lets hope he clears waivers and we can stock his arm up in AAA. I really do think he'll help down the line.

Hey everyone--

Woke up today to find a very cool little article about life in the minor leagues, with A's minor leaguer John Baker as the main story. (as well as Brian Horwitz)

It can be found in the SF Chronicle:
No Moneyball: Paying Some Major Dues.

(J. Brown and J. Baker watch Nick Swisher on TV in the clubhouse.)

It's a great article and I really enjoyed readying it. It's very interesting on the kind of lifestyle these players have to live-- always in wait and in anticipation of what's next.

Hope everyone's having a great summer--
Go A's!

-CO

Hey everyone--

I was browsing YouTube this morning while at work, and found this video for "Choose or Lose the Oakland A's" campaign. Has anyone else seen this before? Or have I just been missing out?

Anyways, I was thinking since Mr. Dellums looks like the new Mayor of Oakland, here's his response:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mgWP2GawNQ

I was really impressed by the quality and directness of the video itself. Sorry if this is old and I just missed it the first time around.

Hope you are well all--

-CO

ps - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfjeHHrTO3A

Hey everyone--

I was checking out the Rivercats website the other day when I noticed that one of the pitchers I was following through Spring Training was missing-- Mac Suzuki. I checked around and there seemed to be no news of his release, trade, etc.

I thought this was a little strange, so I did a little investigating, and found this.

What's interesting to me is why would Mac leave the A's AAA Affiliate, after a seemingly good Spring Training Session, to head to Mexico?

Well, whatever. He was never that good anyways.

Hope you are all well-- Go A's!

-CO

Congratulations Japan on winning the WBC.

Every single player on the Japanese roster stepped up to the plate and performed. Most notably, Japan's battery seemed to be on its toes towads the end of the series.

Cuba played a great game, but their pitching couldn't hold up in the critical late innings.
I expect they'll be back in the WBC Championships next time.

Japan celebrates against Korea.

A very important point that should be addressed is that Japan was missing VERY KEY players as well.
Matsui, Iguchi, and Jojima all chose to stay out.
With them at those key positions, who knows how much stronger they would have been.

I'll re-start the "Oversea Ball" posts again soon, with Fukudome and Uehara next up.

Uehara.

Ichiro homer.

Matsuzaka was shoved into the spotlight during the WBC, and whatever team lands him will definatly be holding a strong ace. I still think the A's need to bid high for him-- whoever has him is going to boost their chances at the WS.

Future MLB ace, Matsuzaka.

Hope everyone is well.
Congratulations Japan, World Baseball Champions.

Wrap-up here.

-CO

Hey everyone--

Two parts to this one.

(pt.1) Prospect watch. AKINORI IWAMURA, 3B.
(pt.2) Yabu news.

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(pt.1) Prospect Watch. Iwamura Akinori.
3B. Yakult Swallows.

2005 Yakult - 144 G, 548 AB, 175 H, 30 HR,
83 R, 102 RBI, 6 SB,
.319 avg, .555 slg, .338 obp

2004 Yakult - 138 G, 533 AB, 160 H, 44 HR
99 R, 103 RBI, 8 SB,
.300 avg, .583 slg, .383 obp

Full stats Here.

Vitals:
3B -- Bats: Left  Throws: Right
DOB: 2/9/1979   Age: 26  Birthplace: Ehime, JP
Weight: 176 lb.        Height: 5'9

Eligibility:
Akinori Iwamura (AI) will become a free agent after the 2007 season (he will be 28). Iwamura has stated with the media and his fans many times his intentions and dreams to play in the MLB. His team, the Yakult Swallows have indicated that they will post AI after the 2006 season if he performs up to their expectations (and it only makes sense to post him, rather than just to lose him to FA).
I very much expect him to be in a MLB uniform by the start of the 2007 season.

AI has turned in some pretty impressive batting stats since age 20. He hits for power, and defensivly has won many gold gloves at 3B while with YS. The only thing concerning about AI's batting is that his KK:B isn't so hot, but if/when he comes to the MLB, I'm pretty sure he'll be a lot more protective of the batter's box than in the NPB (note: the NPB strike zone is much bigger than the MLB strike zone).

Iwamura fits nicely with an article posted the other day about the inevitable move of Chavez to first base ( Here (By BashBrothers89). His arm seems to be a growing concern, and it's hampering effect on his defense is worrying.

The A's currently don't have any noteworthy prospects at 3B in their farm system, so could Iwamura be a potential option? Personally, I don't think Chavez will move anytime soon, but the idea of Chavez moving after 2 more years at 3B to another infield position, one perhaps much easier on his arm, doesn't seem too far fetched to me.
Iwamura could be an effective replacement for Chavez at 3B (or possibly, 2B)-- and at the very least, a good platoon player.

Iwamura vs. Redman in the Japan Vs. US all star game last year.

Tell me what you think!

Sources:
Japan ball.
Roto Wire.
Japanese Baseball Player Stats.
ZakZak.

--------

(pt.2) Yabu signs with Rockies.

Yabu news for anyone interested.
According to Japan Ball
Keiichi Yabu signed a minor league contract with the Rockies and will attend Spring Training.
I'm very happy Yabu was able to find another team, maybe he'll get a chance to be a starting pitcher on a team where it's starting rotation isnt' so solidified.

Yabu brought something different to the A's in terms that it opens up the doors to the A's looking to other options other than American/South American born players. Yabu also for the first time represented the under-represented Asian populace in the bay area in major league baseball.

(Also should be noted, today Shiggy Hasegawa, formally of the Mariners, announced his retirement from baseball.)

sources:
Official Yabu.
Sanspo Baseball News.

Hope everyone is well. The season is just around the corner-- aren't pitchers gonna report soon?

-CO