Hey everybody--
It's been incredibly slow lately, so I thought I would submit Oversea Ball #3 featuring Hanshin Tiger ace Kei Igawa.

2001    Hanshin Tigers    9-13, 2.67 ERA
29 G, 192.0 IP, 171 K, 3 CG
2002    Hanshin Tigers    14-9, 2.49 ERA
31 G, 209.6 IP, 206 K, 8 CG
2003    Hanshin Tigers    20-5, 2.80 ERA
29 G, 206.0 IP, 179 K, 8 CG
2004    Hanshin Tigers    14-11, 3.73 ERA
29 G, 200.3 IP, 228 K, 6 CG
2005    Hanshin Tigers    13-9, 3.86 ERA
27 G, 172.1 IP, 145 K, 2 CG

Igawa has repeatedly requested to be posted via posting system. The front office of the Tigers has said they will agree to this once Igawa "has one last exceptional season." So far, Igawa has "not met their expectations," and Igawa has realized this. He is not eligable for FA until 2009, when he will be 29 y/o.

Vitals:
Jul. 13, 1979 DOB, 26 y/o
BIRTH PLACE: Ibaragi, JP
T: Left     B: Left
6'1, 191 lb.
#2 draft pick by Hanshin Tigers in 1998.

Igawa is reported to have fastball low in the 90s, a good curveball, and a very good changeup (his best pitch). Igawa is considered also to be one of the top young pitchers in Japan.

Personally, I think the best thing to do about Igawa, is to wait it out (well, that's all anyone can do). His somewhat decline in performance, after a very good start as a young pitcher (ERA is the 2's when he was 23/24 y/o), is something to watch. This could cause some teams to be overly cautious when signing or bidding for him, but I definatly don't think it is anything to worry about. He could be going through a "Zito Blues" type of thing.

I think he would look really good in an A's uniform, with the shag and all (Zito/Haren type of look).

Hope you are well well.
I hope to report with some Korean or Taiwanese players next.

Resources:

Kei Igawa Official: Iron Nerves.

Hanshin Tigers Official (JP).

Japan Ball.

Japanese Stats (JP).

I'm not sure if a poll would have much value, considering there isn't enough information to act on with Igawa, and it might be a while until teams are able to act on. Based on his record and poise though, he is definatly one to keep an eye on.
(Possibly replace Z...? I hope we can have both.)

-CO

Daisuke Matsuzaka.
A future Oakland Ace...?

A fastball being clocked in at tops of 100 mph.
The double spinning, curveball/slider/screwball Gyroball. Video Here.
ROY, ERA title holder, all star.
1st pick in '98 draft.
25 years old.

2001    Seibu Lions    15-15, 3.60 ERA
33 G, 240.3 IP, 214 K
2002    Seibu Lions    6-2, 3.68 ERA,
14 G, 73.3 IP, 78 K
2003    Seibu Lions    16-7, 2.83 ERA
29 G, 194.0 IP, 215 K
2004    Seibu Lions    10- 60, 2.90 ERA
23 G, 146.0 IP, 127 K
2005    Seibu Lions    14-13, 2.30 ERA,
28 G, 215.0 IP, 226 K

In 2005, Matsuzaka also led the league with 15 complete games, three shutouts.

I really don't know where to start for this hard throwing right hander.

DOB: Sep. 13, 1980     AGE: 25    
BIRTH PLACE: Tokyo
W: 187 LB               H: 5'10

During the US/JAPAN all-star game, Matsuzaka dominated, pitching a complete game 5 hitter, taking a no-hitter into the 5th inning. He is a workhorse, and can handle 9 innings easily (in high school, he threw 270 pitches in 17 innings during the Koshien National High School Tournament. The next day, he would close out the game, and in the following game throw a complete game no hitter to win the championship. Roto Authority expects Matsuzaka to have a debut similar to Hideo Nomo's: 13-6, 2.54 ERA, 11 Ks per 9 innings.

"Without question he could pitch in the major leagues. He has four major league pitches, and has a good idea of what he's doing on the mound. It's hard to compare him to anybody because of his unique delivery." - US Manager Bruce Bochy

Currently pitching for the Seibu Lions, Matsuzaka was denied the ability to play for the MLB in 2006 (understandable), but there is a very good chance that he will apply via posting in 2007 to play in the MLB. (Posting: MLB teams give sealed offers to  NPB clubs to NEGOTIATE with the player. After winning, they then get the chance to negotiate. Seattle won the negotiation rights of Ichiro for 11 million, then signed him to 15 million a season.)  Matsuzaka is not avail. for free agency until 2009. (He will be 29, I believe.)

Resources:
ESPN: Waiting for Matsuzaka.
Japan Times.
 JAPANESE BASEBALL: Matsuzaka Stats. (JP)
Time Magazine: Daisuke Matzusaka.
ZAK ZAK.

Out of every Japanese NPB player, Daisuke Matsuzaka is the one to go for. He is young, hard throwing, has a never before seen GYROBALL, and the Seibu Lions Ace would bring such attention to the A's like Ichiro brought to Seattle.

All the information and evidence is there, and having Matsuzaka would be HUGE for the rotation (as ANY rotation.) Several teams are expected to have interest in Matsuzaka not surprisingly, but since he would be up for bidding, then nothing is impossible. I'm sure there is more to write about Daisuke, if I find/remember anything, I'll update.

Hope you all are well.
I'll do a report on KEI IGAWA next-- The Ace lefty of the Hanshin Tigers (Yabu's old team.) He is considered to be one of Japan's top pitchers as well.

-CO

Since it has been slow lately, and I was getting a little bored by the usual Zito trade talk, I thought I'd report on a one of the few NPB stars looking to make the jump to the MLB within the next year (or two).

In this case, here is Hirotoshi Ishii.

Ishii is a solid left-handed closer playing for the Yakult Swallows. Here are his vitals:

Sep. 14, 1977     AGE     28    
HEIGHT     5-10     WEIGHT     176　lbs

Ishii has been simply SOLID out of the pen the past couple years, and wants to make the jump to the MLB. The only problem here, is that the owner of the Swallows will not let him until 2007 (even though Ishii claims he was "promised" a chance to play in the MLB if he had another good season).

2002    Yakult Swallows    6- 2, 5 SV, 1.51 ERA
89.2 IP, 109 K.
2003    Yakult Swallows    6- 1, 1 SV, 1.99 ERA
45.1 IP,  61 K.
2004    Yakult Swallows    4- 2, 5 SV, 2.05 ERA
52.2 IP, 69 K
2005    Yakult Swallows    4- 3 37 SV, 1.95 ERA
73.2 IP, 91 K

It is reported that the Red Sox currently have strong interest and have been scouting Ishii. Teams will be able to "bid" on Ishii for the 2007 season via posting.

Ishii dominates right-handed batters, and last season held 193 BF to .181 AVG, 35 hits, 75 Ks, and just 10 BB.

I feel Ishii would be a solid addition to the A's bullpen, adding a considerable amount of depth, especially since he is a left handed pitcher who can close (this is, in the case that Flores doesn't work out). I would never think of the A's bidding for a top Japanese ball player in the past, but with the acquisition of Loiza, seemingly something of this nature doesn't seem impossible now.

*It should also be noted Ishii had some minor injuries in '03 and '04, limiting his IP, but not his performance.

Resources:
Sanspo (JP)
Japan Times
Boston Dirty Dogs

Also Japan Pro Baseball Guide 2005. (http://www.japanball.com/book.htm)

Anyways, hope you all are well.

-CO

Hey everyone--

It would be wierd playing against Hatty.

"The Mariners have been talking with agent Joe Urbon about a couple of his free agent clients, first baseman Scott Hatteberg [...] The most intensive talks between the Mariners and Urbon have been about Hatteberg, 36, a Yakima native and former Washington State star who came up through the Red Sox organization and then spent the past four seasons with Oakland as a first baseman and DH. [...] Hatteberg's role with the Mariners would be as a backup to first baseman Richie Sexson, and that's why talks haven't progressed further. "

Seattle Post

It's going to be wierd w/o him out there, but, I guess it is time to move on. Good luck, Hatty.
It would be cool to have him with a front office position-- I guess he's still got some gas in the tank.

Anyways, for those who are interested, Yabu update.

Yabu, recently appearing on a popular baseball sports show in Japan, has stated that he does not wish to return to Japan and play in the NPB.

Yabu recently visited an elementary school in Miya, which is near his hometown of Osaka, and donated money to the school's athletics program, and purchased full A's uniforms for the entire youth baseball team.

Yabu Keiichi was also reported in the Sponichi Annex that he desires to continue pitching in the U.S. (There is, in fact, a spot left open on the Mariner's roster, considering the departure of RP Hasegawa. The Mariner's are also a very Japanese-friendly organization.) I hope he is able to find a team to pitch for-- although he is 37, I don't think he'll come with much of a price tag.
(Past season stats)

2005 A's  4-0, 1 SV, 4.50 ERA, 58 IP, 44 SO

Sponichi Annex (日本語）

See you at Fan Fest 2006!^^

-CO

Makoto (mac) Suzuki.

"The Oakland A's signed pitcher Mac Suzuki to a minor league contract. Suzuki went 5-15 with a save and a 7.53 ERA in 53 games with the Orix BlueWave. Suzuki spent last year with the Buffaloes' ni-gun (farm) team.

Suzuki went 16-31 with a 5.72 ERA in 117 major league games with the Mariners, Royals, Brewers, and Rockies. "

[http://www.japanball.com/news.phtml?id=5607]

Mac last played in KC, where he bounced back and forth between AAA and the show. He went back to Japan to play for the Blue Wave. He was charged with a DUI there I believe, but then promised to clean up his act.
Mac was once touted as a phenom, showing various signs with one hit game shutouts, clocking his fastball around 95/96 mph.
If he can pull everything together, he could really be a great addition to the pen or as a 5th starter, if ever needed.

Official page:

It is a little puzzling why the A's would sign Suzuki instead of Yabu, well, actaully-- Yabu had a 1 mil. dollar option, while Suzuki has a minor league contract. Suzuki is about 8 years younger than Yabu.

We'll see how he does in AAA.

Hey everyone.

I have been thinking lately.
There have been a number of posts about possible trades, free agent pick ups, etc etc, to help address our problems (mostly our lack of right handed power) and I was wondering...
is anyone on the market worth paying for?
Is anyone on the block worth our young staff?

And I came to the idea that, really, there is a simple answer to this, well, not so simple.

Overseas baseball.
Japan. Korea. Taiwan. (And I still wait for a chinese player... =()

But anyways, I think we touched on this subject before-- how Yabu effectively filled a spot in our lineup without breaking the bank. Any other choice would have been atleast 3 or 4 times more in $$.
It follows the basic $$$ball theory-- tapping an undervalued market.

I just wanted to know what you guys thought about this, and if you think its worth the chance, to sign a developing asian player, or an over the hill player, and throwing them in the starting lineup (or not).

How did you guys feel about Yabu?
He didnt break the bank. He did his job well (well, clean up role...)
He brought a new fan base to the team (AZN pride, well I know mine was, was soaring for awhile).

Look at Taguchi, Otsuka, Iguchi-- these players went under the radar, and for not as much as marqee players, and have put up outstanding numbers. (It should be noted that this market is also very risky, considering KAZMAT, Mac Suzuki, etc).

Anyways, thoughts, please.
I'll try to post some stats of overseas players interested in coming to the US (assuming they have  finished their mandatory 8 years in the NPB).

Continue reading this post »

Hey everyone.
So I was bored tonight, and I thought, "Hey, I'll draw in paint."
So I drew BeeZeey in honor of his fantastic outing tonight.

It took me like three hours to finish the shading on his upper lip. It's probably the best drawing I've ever done.*

Please draw and post some!
GO A'S! =)

Durazo!? Where are you!?

* Napoleon Dynamite!

Hi everyone.
If you have ever have gone to Yabu's website, k-yabu.net, you've probably noticed it is in all Japanese. So, I thought I would just do my best to translate his latest two messages, if case any of you are wondering what he has been thinking of his experience so far. Also, I just think it's interesting.
I am not yet fluent in Japanese, so bear with me in the translation. My friend, Taku, also helped. Enjoy.

-----

--Entry May 16--  "May Message"

Hello, it's Yabu. The season has started and one month has already passed. I'm getting used to the environment here and Major League Baseball has been enjoyable in various ways.
Although not all teams are not waging war on each other yet, the individual players have been interesting.
Although everyone is calling the results of our team to be unsatisfactory, they have a very bright future still ahead.
I plan to pitch in whatever role left in order for me to contribute to the victory of this team.

[There was also a little note on the bottom, but I couldn't really understand it.]

--Entry June 6-- "June Message"

Although we're now entering June, in Japan it is the rainy season currently. In Oakland, it's about 12 degrees to 25 degrees always, it is not hot and at night games as well [ somewhat chilly in many cases].
Although I have been pitching in relief since the opening of the season, it is not different from the time I was a starter. There is a certain amount of rotation for relief pitchers here, and it is used really carefully in order to lengthen a pitcher's life.
I usually wait in the bullpen, resting my shoulder, my participation is not needed yet, when they call from the bench and I warm up, surely to come in. So, my shoulder is not used vainly or without purpose.
My pitching has stablized without the ability to dig into the ground at the end of my delivery, since the mound was somewhat sticky and hard, so it was hard to perform.
Although Koshien had this, the natural grass is very nice and pleasant to play on.
Since I am in such a good environment, I am taking the best care of my condition and resting during this season.

----

Again I have to say that I am still new at this, but, this is pretty much what Yabu-san wrote. Hope you guys found this interesting.
(Note: Koshien is where Yabu used to pitch for the Tigers in the NPB).

Hello everyone.
I have been recently reading people counting out Yabu for the 2006 season, and I am wondering what all of you think.
First of all, people have been citing this mysterious curse of the 2nd year for Japanese pitchers.
Where do you get your information, first of all?

Here is some stats for Japanese pitchers currently working out of the bullpen:

Current ERA's are as of 6/6/05.

Shingo Takatsu (WhiteSox):
2004 ERA: 2.31
Current ERA: 6.91

Akinori Otsuka (Padres):
2004 ERA: 1.75
Current ERA: 3.55

Shigetoshi Hasegawa (Mariners):
1997 ERA: 3.93
1998 ERA (2ND YEAR): 3.14
Current ERA: 3.12

Kaz Sasaki (Mariners):
2000 ERA: 3.16
2001 ERA (2ND YEAR): 3.24

Takatsu's current struggle's can simply be blamed on the fact that hitters have adjusted to his style. Takatsu uses off-speed pitches, and doesn't over power batters, so batters just simply learned to wait and to expect this.

Now in Yabu's case, he has more than one out pitch, and doesn't use his changeup as his outpitch, but has actaully a few of them.
I definatly think the A's should exercise their option for Yabu, even if it is still early in the season. We have him for relatively cheap for what he brings to the team (and to the seats), depth in the pen (long relief and possibly starter) and it can give the upcoming players more time to grow in AAA if needed. Yabu is still adjusting as well, so I only expect him to pitch better. Along with Duke and Street, he has been one of the more dependable pitchers in the pen.

So anyways, just want to know what you think, and want to disprove the "2nd year" curse of the Japanese pitcher nonsense that I have read.

Have a nice day and thank you for reading =)