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Tomohiro Nioka Could Come To MLB
Tomohiro Nioka is a 31 year-old shortstop for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan. He's starting to generate a little buzz as a possible MLB crossover this winter, especially given the weak free agent shortstop market.
Nioka will be a free agent this winter (no posting fee required). I haven't seen any recent quotes indicating that he wants to come over here, but he did say "I'd most definitely consider playing in the Major Leagues" back in 2003.
The Daily Herald's Scot Gregor notes that the White Sox could opt to pursue Nioka over Juan Uribe. The Sox have had success in the past with the Tadahito Iguchi and Shingo Takatsu signings. Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star expects Nioka to come over, but doesn't see the Jays signing him.
Nioka hit .295/.346/.457 with 20 HR in 508 ABs this year. You can find his earlier numbers here. I talked to one Japanese fan who considers Nioka a poor man's Akinori Iwamura. He ranks Nioka's defense as good but not great.
It seems likely that Nioka's teammate, pitcher Koji Uehara, will attempt the jump to MLB this year. Perhaps Nioka will follow suit and plug a hole for the White Sox, Blue Jays, Devil Rays, Giants, or Cardinals.
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Personally with his stats I don't see him being too successful over here. I think he will be something like:
.270-.280 AVG
10-15 HR
Production depends on lineup spot because it wasn't good there, but I'll say
45-65 RBI
and 3-10 steals.
The reasoning behind this is, his stats are very fluctating,especially avg wise, and as you have seen with most guys, the average drops a good 20-30 points in the MLB, maybe more (excluding Ichiro). I see a small market team going for him or a stupid team (Giants).
Posted by: yankman27 | October 06, 2007 at 11:31 PM
How is he defensively? If he's any good, I think most teams would take a shortstop who could hit 10-15 homeruns with a respectable average.
Posted by: johnflaherty | October 06, 2007 at 11:44 PM
If he's already 31 and his stats aren't anything too special, I don't imagine he'd be a worthy signing, regardless fo the current FA market.
Posted by: DoctorCurveBall | October 06, 2007 at 11:53 PM
Honsetly he doesn't look like much I'd guess .250 avg .290-.310 obp and 5-10 hrs.
Posted by: Paul AKA twinsfan | October 07, 2007 at 12:08 AM
It'd really depend on his defence if he'd be any good.
Posted by: Paul AKA twinsfan | October 07, 2007 at 12:09 AM
Alexei Ramirez would probably better for international free agents. Honestly I'd rather see a known commodity go to my team, if only Eckstein.
Posted by: buehrlebro | October 07, 2007 at 12:25 AM
His defense is an unknown to me...I'll have to ask around.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | October 07, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Personally, I see the Sox going after Uehara before Nioka. We're gonna have to trade a starter most likely to get the SS we're looking for so we'll need a viable replacement.
Posted by: astralpanda | October 07, 2007 at 10:52 AM
I would love to see the Sox sign alexi ramirez and move him to 2b. Then sign eckstien at SS to a hoplefully 2 year deal. Trade Garland to rockies for Fuentes and marrilo hard throwing righty. sign el duque and throw him in the bullpen and maybe a spot start hear and their.
Owens cf
eckstein ss
Dye rf
Thome dh
Konerko 1b
Peirzynski c
Crede 3b
Fields lf
Ramirez 2b
Vasquez
Buhrle
Contreras
Danks
Floyd
Masset
Wasserman
Thornton
El Duque
Marillo
Fuentes
Jenks
I pesonally think Contreras will return to form and Crede will have a breakout year winning come back Player of the Year and Owens can steal 70 bases what do You guys think of this team it would not be to expensive!
Posted by: CUBS=NOTHING | October 07, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Also Contreras was At his best with fellow cuban El Duque around and also Alexi Ramirez is Cuban so I think something is gotta give get it done Kenny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: CUBS=NOTHING | October 07, 2007 at 02:42 PM
I'd take one of those two shortstops, not both. Danny Richar seems like a solid option at 2B.
Posted by: gogopalehose | October 07, 2007 at 02:59 PM