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Yankees Send Michael To Japan
Mark Feinsand is reporting that the Yankees have sent Gene Michael to Japan to scout potential acquisitions for '09.
That Michael was sent to Japan for the first time signifies a shift for the Yankees, who have relied on their Pacific scouts for several years. Following the disastrous signing of Kei Igawa, however, the Yankees aren't taking any chances, sending one of their most trusted talent evaluators to look at potential acquisitions.
Feinsand notes that it is unclear which players the Yankees are interested in, but does list several players that could be available including right-handers Koji Uehara, Kenshin Kawakami and lefty Hitoki Iwase, a reliever.
Feinsand does not mention the biggest potential prize, Yu Darvish. Previously the Yankees were listed as one of the teams with a scout at the Olympics to watch Darvish. While nobody is certain that Darvish will be posted this winter, if rumors of a $75MM posting fee are even close to accurate, the Yankees will have to be involved.
In July we looked at some potential free agents from Japan and last winter East Windup Chronicle ranked several Japanese pitchers, none of whom have yet to make the jump to the US.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
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Does Darvish have an agent to facilitate a possible move to the US? If so does his agents name start with a B and rhyme with Oras?
Also does anyone know for sure if the guy even wants to lay ball in the US?
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | September 08, 2008 at 10:05 AM
because of that mentally ill posting number, they better get him for 5 years at 25 million, other wise there going over 100 million dollars on a 21 year old who hasnt pitched here before, this deal would really make young pitchers like phil hughes upset, they have the same skill level, only darvish will be making 25 times more
Posted by: 04Forever | September 08, 2008 at 10:12 AM
i dont think Darvish has said anything on the record. The team has said they are willing to post any player that asks to be posted and Yu's father said he prefers his son to play in Boston or New York.
Posted by: Sean Gibson | September 08, 2008 at 10:30 AM
"and Yu's father said he prefers his son to play in Boston or New York."
I believe his father just said he likes New England.
Posted by: icedrake523 | September 08, 2008 at 11:01 AM
start_wearing_purple: I have a strong feeling that as the Japanese FA tide increases, Boras will be getting in it very, VERY soon.
Correct me if I'm wrong on this, but don't the Japanese teams get the posting fees, and not the players?
Posted by: melonis rex | September 08, 2008 at 11:12 AM
You're correct. And $75M will pay for more than teams salary over there... for a few years. So huge incentive.
The catch is though that fee kicks off a 30 day negotiation. If negotiations fail, the player is returned and the fee is returned.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | September 08, 2008 at 11:22 AM
thats right, the team gets the posting fee for allowing the winning bidder to come and, basically have an international trade, but instead of it being for players, the team with Yu, gets the money and releases him from his contract, if of course a deal is agreed to by the lets say yankees and Yu's agent, and ill bet 20-1 that agent will be Boras
Posted by: 04Forever | September 08, 2008 at 11:23 AM
i have a feeling that he will be atleast posted. at $75 million dollars? they could pay for the entire teams payroll for the year and maybe into the next one with that kind of money, they be stupid not too.
Posted by: 04Forever | September 08, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Has Boras represented any Japanese FA yet?
Seriously, these guys could very easily be AAAA pitchers (i.e. Kei Igawa) when coming to the bigs. Very easily. Japanese FA are *somewhat* like the draft, except the bonuses are much higher and the risk of how well the player will play is somewhat lower.
Posted by: melonis rex | September 08, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Boras represented Daisuke Matsuzaka when he was posted
Posted by: 04Forever | September 08, 2008 at 11:48 AM
If the posting truly is $75M for Darvish then any agent will tell the team they'll want more than that for a contract, basically citing Matsuzaka's contract. Argument being they'd want to player to be paid as much as the team.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | September 08, 2008 at 01:30 PM
"Seriously, these guys could very easily be AAAA pitchers (i.e. Kei Igawa) when coming to the bigs. Very easily. Japanese FA are *somewhat* like the draft, except the bonuses are much higher and the risk of how well the player will play is somewhat lower. "
I agree with the fact that they could be just AAAA pitchers but I disagree with the comparisons to Kei. THat signing was a mistake and that happens. However, a better comparison to Darvish is Dice-K. They say he has better stuff and better control. We shall see how this plays out but Igawa should just be left out of the discussion.
Posted by: yanksown | September 08, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Also, unless the Yanks post that 75 mil figure, I don't think anyone else will be involved at that price. The Red Sox probably won't spend over 100 mil on another Japanese pitcher although they will be involved adn they could surprise everyone like last time. The Yanks probably could post 50 mil and get him. Who else has interest in him?
Posted by: yanksown | September 08, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Has anyone here ever heard of Kazuo Uzuki? He is suppost to be really good and he is still in high school. I have this baseball card of him that i got in a 2008 Topps pack that says Future Star and that he throws a 104 MPH fastball and got 17 K's in 7 innnings at an intrasquad match. He will graduate next year and most likely come to U.S.A. Does anyone know any of his stats? Please comment.
Posted by: YankeeFan4life | September 08, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Yankeefan-
I seriosly doubt that he throws 104. Remember Keith Law dropping a comment saying Matt Lindstorm is the only player he's seen hit 3 digits? I think we would of heard of him.
Posted by: ballerwhiteboy | September 08, 2008 at 05:21 PM
You'd think the Yanks would learn by now, but no.
Posted by: yankfan1 | September 08, 2008 at 06:48 PM
"You'd think the Yanks would learn by now, but no. "
Igawa is a completely different pitcher to refer to. Darvish is way above him and ever considered much better than Dice-K. I might be wrong but the Igawa issue is different.
"i think the yanks should get yu darvish only if joba stays in the pen(which i hope he does), and sign cc for their ace"
Why should Joba stay in teh bullpen? Is it cause his ERA as a starter was just as good as when he pitched in relief? Is it because he anchored a rotation that fell apart aside from Moose? Is it because he has such high potential and has passed every test so far?
Why should he stay a starter? One injury and he should stay a starter. I guess Peavy, Halladay and every other pitcher who ever got injured should be in teh bullpen.
Posted by: yanksown | September 08, 2008 at 07:35 PM
yanksown
Well how about Matsui. I like him but hes been injured for 2 years now. And this other Japaneese guy the Yanks got in the past who didnt do well. Forgot his name though.
100% agree with you about Joba should be in the rotation. He should have won every start if the Yanks gave him run support.
Posted by: yankfan1 | September 08, 2008 at 07:51 PM
"he throws a 104 MPH fastball"
you sure it is not kilometers
Posted by: metsfan | September 08, 2008 at 08:04 PM
metsfan- 104 kilometers is 64 MPH. And im not completly sure about that, i only saw it on my baseball card.
Posted by: YankeeFan4life | September 09, 2008 at 06:38 PM
Kazuo Uzuki is not real he is a april fools joke made by topps
Posted by: Cano24 | September 09, 2008 at 07:43 PM