Akinori Iwamura Prepared To Play 2B/SS/CF
Akinori Iwamura is a 27-year Japanese third baseman with a good chance of being posted. Translations indicate that he could post a .850-.900 OPS in the Majors.
A recent interview with Iwamura (in Japanese) indicates that he'd be willing to convert to second base, shortstop, or even center field if needed. He was a five-time Gold Glover at third in Japan.
Any idea how much this guy is worth in signing bucks?
Perhaps, if relatively cheap, he could be a fit in the nation's capital with the Nationals?
Posted by: akirell | October 23, 2006 at 11:26 AM
As a replacement for Soriano, that is.
Posted by: akirell | October 23, 2006 at 11:26 AM
I second that notion. Paging Jim Bowden...
Posted by: JammingEcono | October 23, 2006 at 11:50 AM
indians might have an intrest
Posted by: TribeFan06 | October 23, 2006 at 12:21 PM
3B option for the yankees with Arod traded for Prior + Hill and specs?
Or perhaps 2B for the mets?
Posted by: Baseballfan79 | October 23, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Too many teams with money need a third baseman for him to have to move out of his gold glove position.
Posted by: refx | October 23, 2006 at 01:44 PM
Gold Glove? Didn't Kaz Matsui win a gold glove in Japan? Didn't Roberto Petagine win a bunch of gold gloves in Japan? Those are two of the worst fielders I've ever seen.
Plus, he's willing to move to shortstop? Or Centerfield? Quick, apart from ARod, name all the major league third basemen you'd be happy to have playing shortstop or centerfield for your team.
This story is fishy.
Posted by: snowmanny | October 23, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Yeah, the Indians are probably interested in him.
Posted by: Rayman | October 23, 2006 at 08:30 PM
Yeah, and so did Ichiro. And Kaz Matsui isn't even playing the same position. And just because one wins a gold glove couple of years ago does not make him a gold glover now.
Anyways, all he is saying is that he is willing to switch positions if the team asks him to, he is not saying he is a gold glover at all those positions.
Posted by: Tak | October 23, 2006 at 08:41 PM
I predict the Dodgers are going to end up with this guy because even though he says he would convert into a ss or a 2b we would rather play his natural position. Plus the Dodgers are in need of a 3b.
Posted by: Omar052391 | October 23, 2006 at 10:26 PM
Yes, gold glove, meaning he won them in Japan. I didn't predict that he would win them here, but it does show some glove skill and 3B is still his natural position.
Anyway, like I said, he's in good a position to stay at 3B and make a lot of money. I'm sure it's anyone's assumption here that he'd prefer to stay at 3B, all else being equal.
BTW, omar052391, why the Dodgers and not any of the other clubs that need a 3B and have loads of money to spend?
Posted by: refx | October 24, 2006 at 03:50 PM
I think he will def be posted and get a lot of attention because 3b is a big need position this year.
cough padres cough
Posted by: MadMatt15 | October 24, 2006 at 06:34 PM