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Matsuzaka Staying In Japan

A couple of readers have been asking about Japanese gyroball pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.  Is he still available for posting?  Is there any chance he comes to the U.S. for 2006?  I assumed he would come over, naming him the best available free agent pitcher (excluding Clemens). The always helpful Gary Garland of Japan Baseball Daily was willing to answer our questions.


On Matsuzaka's 2006:

Matsuzaka just signed a new contract with Seibu and will not be posted this offseason. Seibu seems to be now saying that they are going to make Matsuzaka wait until he is a free agent, but I think the situation is a little more fluid than that.

On a Mets fan favorite, Kaz Ishii:

Incidentally, a little housekeeping matter: according to Hochi Sports, Kazuhisa Ishii has decided to re-sign with Yakult.

On the Hawaiin Winter League:

Finally, it looks like the Hawaiin Winter League will be revived. In tha past, Japanese teams have sent players to that league for a little extra seasoning. Among past graduates of that league is Ichiro Suzuki.The Korean pro league will also send some youngsters to be part of the four team circuit, according to Nikkan Sports.

As always, thanks for the informative Japanese baseball info, Gary.


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Comments

On the subject of asian players, what's the status of Korean slugger Jong-Soo Shim? He's a guy I'd love to see on the Yankees, allowing Sheffield to DH full time.

I hope he stays, as the Mets will have a minimum of 30M coming off the books next year and will need pitching.

Zito and Matsuzaka to replace Glavine and Trax... and people say we're built for the now.

Yeah...and the scary thing is, that could actually happen.

Yeah...and the scary thing is, that could actually happen.

Probably one... but not both.

Pedro
Mats
Zito
Pelfrey
Seo

Write that down for '07? And they say that White Sox rotation is impressive...

Add this guy to the list of players the Mets are after, along with Zito, Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Bob Feller

Don't forget Kazmir, Seaver, and Johan Santana...

How much money I would bet that, if healthy, Kazmir ends up back with the Mets in a few years. I'm calling it now.

When does Matsuzaka's contract expire in Japan? I know he can be posted along the way, but if Seibu makes him wait until he is a free agent how long will that be? It normally seems Japanese players aren't totally free until well into their late 20s and I wonder if that means Matsuzaka has at least 2-3 more years in Japan ahead of him (unless posted of course).

I really doubt Zito will be a free agent at the end of the season. Beane is almost certain to trade him, and whoever gets him will probably sign him to an extension pretty quickly.

or another '07 rotation could look like:

Pedro Martinez
Barry Zito
Mike Pelfrey
Alay Soler
Jae Seo

Its a deeper, much younger rotation than the '06 edition, and I think better.

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