Red Sox To Sign Tazawa?

Err, Steve, my bad.

Outfielder? Pitcher??

"Outfielder? Pitcher??"

Pitcher... Tazawa's been major news for a while now, where you been?

Thanks for the reminder about Atlanta guys.

And yes, Tazawa's a pitcher who's been talked about quite a bit. Still, probably should have reiterated that he's a pitcher. I threw that in there too, for clarity's sake.

Hey Steve, another chunk of Tazawa news:
http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=5661

Not exactly detailed but noteworthy...

Theres no insight in this post, is this enough to get him, where do you think he will go and why cmon Stever

braves fan and a red sox fan? wow.

I don't see why the Whitesox don't make an offer to this guy, they have the money and desperately need another SP

Y'all know he's just a kid who has never even pitched in the Japan major leagues, right? Major league contract or not, anybody would be an idiot to start him higher than AA.

Boston and Seattle both are deep with Asian players at both major and throughout minor leagues. Maybe this will sway Tazawa to 1 of those 2 teams? Do the Braves have many Asian player in the organization?

You guys are all way ahead of yourselves. This kid is in no way major league ready. It doesn't matter who he goes to he doesn't make the rotation. I think the Sox end up with him. Reports came out the other day that they have been watching him for a couple of years now which is very similar to Dice-k. If they want him they will get him. Teams like Seattle and Atlanta just can't afford to take the chance with the extra payroll right now. Either way whoever gets him is basically like signing a low round draft pick. It will be awhile if ever that we see him in the show. It is nothing more than the media trying to turn it into something bigger to cash in. One of the posters said it before. He hasn't even pitched a major league game in Japan. They say he has a decent changeup, a decent curveball, and an above average fastball. Some say it clocks in at the 97-98 mph range but others say this is an exaggeration and it is more like 92-94. I see him with Boston but he will start the season at AA.

Oh and just to clarify before anyone says it. The only difference between a major league contract and a minor league contract offer, is that a major league contract offer is basically an invitation to major league spring training camps and a chance to make the big club. Neither guarantees a spot on the major league roster. There are many minor league players that are under major league contracts.

"Another report from Nikkan Sports says Tazawa has already decided on the Red Sox."

So, he's a Red Sox now?

the red sox are the favorites they have a japanese catcher in the low minors, and they have another pitcher i believe. they have 2 Japanese players on the club as of right now.
if he wants 6 million dollars thats a great gamble, i thought i read he was first round talent.

the red sox have no problem paying(or over paying) for young talent to develop

"but if you mean Hayato Doue they're having trouble getting him a work visa and he hasn't put on a Sox uniform yet."

It's true that Doue never got a work permit. He spent '08 in a Japanese Independent League and was drafted by the SoftBank Hawks in October. AFAIK the idea of him going to the Red Sox is long dead.

where did you find that the red sox released him from his contract?

"where did you find that the red sox released him from his contract?"

I don't think a contract was ever completed. Doue said he wouldn't move after his work visa was denied.

Matsuo pitched in Lo-A last year as a 26 year-old, so he'll probably have some more development to go through before he gets the 4a label.

It's sad that Boston and Atlanta must more or less cheat and use unethical methods to gain an unfair advantage on the other teams. I suppose this is normal for Boston, though. Look what they do in the draft.

I really think people overestimate this "well x team has a Japanese player, so he's a lock to go there" idea. One of the interviews posted about him listed Hideo Nomo as one of his heroes, I can't see the idea of him having to walk the same path as his hero in becoming the first Japanese player for an organization as any major deterrent. In the end, he's just another ballplayer, "where's the most money? Where will I get the most/best spent time?"

Grant, your team would do it too if they needed a player and saw a good option they thought would benefit them. Welcome to business. Put it on paper if you don't want something done.

"Poor teams"

HAH. Good one.

Portland Sea Dogs are going to have a hell of a starting rotation from first 3 starters,Nick Hagadone, Kris Johnson, Junichi Tazawa.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ROCKS.
This is the future for BOSTON!

"Why blame teams for doing this? They are breaking the international rules between NPB and MLB, that's why. MLB teams are not allowed to sign Japanese prospects. What Boston is doing is clearly deceitful and wrong, anyone can see that." - Grant77

Grant77, you are wrong. Site me the rule in which Tazawa applies. Tazawa is a FA and can be signed by any team in the world.

Here are some text and a comment from NPB on the subject, taken from The NY Times:

"Major League Baseball officials maintain that the letter of their protocol agreement with their Japanese counterparts, Nippon Professional Baseball, does not forbid either league from courting amateur talent from the other’s nation. When one Japanese representative characterized the rule as a gentlemen’s agreement during a meeting in New York, he was angrily rebutted by a Major League Baseball official, according to two attendees."

"“This was more than just a gentlemen’s agreement, but rather an implicit understanding that the major leagues would do no such thing,” Nippon Professional Baseball said in a news release on signing Japanese baseball amateurs. “That a handful of clubs from the majors is trying to break this gentlemen’s agreement is truly regrettable.”"

You see they used the term "gentleman's agreement". This means there are NO RULES to keep the Red Sox from signing Tazawa.

Grant if your teamed signed him would you consider it cheating? Would you announce it so vehemently?

"Grant if your teamed signed him would you consider it cheating? Would you announce it so vehemently?"

Absolutely! I am 100% against any team cheating or using unethical tactics to gain an unfair advantage. I am saddened even when they pay over slot for a player.

The game we all love should be played on a level playing field, I think we can agree on this. Boston is ruining this gentlemens agreement for everyone, especially baseball fans in Japan. The agreement is in place for a reason.

There are reports that his FB is 96?

I feel like I read that he throws 88-89 and is unlikely to pitch in the majors this year

How good is his gyroball?

"The game we all love should be played on a level playing field, I think we can agree on this. Boston is ruining this gentlemens agreement for everyone, especially baseball fans in Japan. The agreement is in place for a reason." - Grant77

Funny, now you call it a gentleman's agreement. Just a few hours ago you said the Red Sox were, "breaking the international rules between NPB and MLB". TFF

The best way to have things on a "level playing field" is to allow any player from anywhere to sign with whomever they choose.

As far as I am concerned the "gentlemans agreement" shouldn't even be in existence. I think its wrong to tell anyone they are limited in their profession by the boundries of their country.

If a Japanese pitcher wants to see if he can be the best pitcher ever to play the game, it should be up to him to decide where he feels he can accomplish testing his skill.

I wonder if the agreement was tossed aside altogether, how many US kids would consider going to Japan to get their careers started instead of playing in the Minors? Wouldn't that help to improve their league and development as well?

Anyone saying that it's the big markets who throw money at international signees or draft picks and destroy competitive balance (mostly this is Grant in this discussion) is completely and utterly wrong.

Top 10 Money Spent on International Signings, 2008:

1. Cincinnati
2. Oakland
3. San Diego
4. New York (AL)
5. San Francisco
6. Saint Louis
7. Seattle
8. Atlanta
9. Cleveland
10. Texas

Top 10 Draft Budgets, 2008:
1. Kansas City
2. Boston
3. Tampa Bay
4. Pittsburgh
5. San Francisco
6. Milwaukee
7. Texas
8. Minnesota
9. Cleveland
10. Baltimore

Yeah, you've got your big payrolls here, your Bostons and Seattles and New Yorks, but most of the list of big spending on young players comes from the small markets.

Point is: Boston spent a total of $10 million on the draft last year, which is about what you pay for a one-year deal for a major leaguer trying to resuscitate his career. Think Eric Gagne last year, Randy Johnson this year (that's the rumor, anwyay), Tom Glavine last year. And it's far less than the money being spent on the marquee free agents, even just on a per-year basis.

Bottom line: it's not the big-market teams that spend a larger-but-still-small fraction of their budget on prospects (which is all Tazawa is a this point). It's the smart teams.

"im sorry i didnt know we were gonna have a unproven 22 year old japanese pitcher take a rotation spot his first year with the club. if you expect the sox to NOT go sign one of these two your sadly mistaken. watch lowe to be in the rotation next year." - gmac

Boy am I glad Theo runs the team and not you. Tazawa doesn't(and won't) have to start the season in the rotation. The Sox should still run far far away from Lowe and Burnett. They want to much money for too many years to justify signing them. Lowe will be 36 during the first year of his new contract and he wants 16+ million per season for 4-5 years. The Sox now have two solid options for the 5 spot in the rotation with Masterson and Buchholz. If I were the Sox, I would offer Kenshin Kawakami a contract and let Masterson stay in the pen(where he brings more value) and let Buchholz get himself straightened out in the minors. Kawakami projects as a middle of the rotation pitcher that will come much cheaper than Burnett or Lowe(36 million for 3 years).

Ari,

Where are the links to prove these top 10 international and draft spendings?

"You Sox fans crack me up. Every team has their Hagadones, Johnsons or Tazawas."

No they don't

I don't want the Sox to sign Lowe because the National League is garbage, don't know what to think of the Japanse corporate league...

His fastball barely tops 90? Really?

Thats funny because I watched a youtube clip of him where every fastball he threw was between 90-94 mph. I didnt see one fastball under 90mph

However I would be concerned about how he leaves his breaking stuff up in the zone quite often. In fenway that would end up with a lot of balls heading over the monster.

If he can harness more control with that breaking stuff though, wow, itd be vicious.

If Tazawa couldn't touch 90 at 22 and simply had plus command he wouldn't be this sought after. Who the hell wants to give 6 million to that?

I'm not sure which is more reliable though, the youtube videos with radar guns or the moron from ESPN. Unfortunately, I'm not kidding, I just can't believe teams would be in on a guy that lacks the make up or stuff to pitch here.

Kenan and Kel,

The article never says that Tazawa couldn't touch 90, only that he struggled to top 90 when rested. That makes me think that this scout has him as sitting between 88-90 during starts. Seems like that would project out to be average velocity for a RHP. He's probably more down on Tazawa than the average scout, but not as out of line as you'd think. From everything I've read, his fastball also has plus movement, which would make it a pretty good pitch even without great velocity. He also has good secondary stuff and command, which contributes to his value as a prospect.

My takeaway from this is that Tazawa probably sits at 90-92 currently when rested, and will hopefully up that to the 92-94 range with age.

"My takeaway from this is that Tazawa probably sits at 90-92 currently when rested, and will hopefully up that to the 92-94 range with age."

I'm not going to question his velocity, I think it's ridiculous that in this day and age there so many vastly varying reports about how hard he throws. I don't believe it's 97, but 88 seems too low.

Not sure if its this ESPN writer or another but one of them was extremely down on Tazawa's make up. Said he lacked the smarts to get big leaguers out as well as the mental make up to survive over here. Of course he also talked down about his stuff.

Ultimately it doesn't really make a difference where this kid lands, I hope it's with my team obviously, but I'd just like to get some clarification about his actual abilities.

Instead of playing the guessing game from different scouting reports, take a look at some of the video footage of Tazawa on youtube. His fastball registers between 142km/hr and 147km/hr (88-91mph) and is straight and up in the zone. He would get more movement on the ball if he got on top of it, but he slings it to the plate slightly 3/4. In all the videos, I have not seen him comfortably sit any higher than 90mph. However, he likes to pitch backwards and you will notice in the videos that he throws many more curves than fastballs. His curve rests easily around 130km/hr (80mph) for a differential of about 10mph. Any slider that people allude to is also a myth as he throws two or three a game at around 130km/hr (80mph) usually high in the zone for hitters to chase. In MLB, high and slow is usually a bad combination. Take a look for yourself.

"So false. Hagadone has one of the best arms in the minor leagues, and even though he is coming off of TJS, his value as a prospect is still quite good, which should be a reflection of how talented he is. Hagadone could very well be a better prospect than Bowden if he can stay healthy."

How is that different from other teams? Teams like, for example, Yankees have their share of pitchers who can be described as 'one of the best arms of in milb', 'value as prospect is pretty good' and 'be a better prospect than ____ if can stay healthy' and whatever you guys would describe Hagadone. How about Kris Johnson? Sure, I see that he'll be 24 in AAA next year and the man had a decent year off AA with 3.63 ERA with not so shabby numbers but the thing is, I cannot see him becoming anything really BIG for the 'Future of BOSTON'. I seriously doubt his ceiling goes up to more than #3 starter. Tazawa? The jury is still out on how he'll be even in Minor League Baseball, puh-lease

Again...I know i'm in Red Sucks territory and I'm not knocking Tazawa just because he'll probably go to Boston but saying he struck out 10 in one of there games doesn't really say much. Remember the great Igawa won several strike out titles in Japan before coming here. Also, I could be wrong but how often does a 22 year old increase his velocity, unless he maybe adds bulk/muscles to his frame? I think to an extent we've become inamored with international players. What's the difference between an american born player who throws 90-92 and a foreign player at the same age?

* Zito's contract is for 7 years, my mistake.

My god, I've never seen such a bunch of idiots in one place before. The people on the Jays board are dying of laughter! Keep it coming ridiculous sox fans!

Haha! The Sox can have Tazawa and his 88 mph fastball and suspect stamina. Say hello to your own version of Kei Igawa. At least they didn't spend 50 million on him or whatever the Yanks did on Igawa.

"Haha! The Sox can have Tazawa and his 88 mph fastball and suspect stamina. Say hello to your own version of Kei Igawa. At least they didn't spend 50 million on him or whatever the Yanks did on Igawa."

Many of the Japanese pitchers are not the fireballers and work with a multitude of pitches to get the job done. look no further than Kideki okijima and his FB that rarely tops 88-89mph, yethe is very effective vs both left and right handers and hitters still have trouble figuring out hsi tricky delivery and the 5 pitches he throws for strikes.

Dice-K came to the Majors with a rep as a high 90's FB, yet he rarely hits 94-95 and usually sits in the 92-93mph range and has been pretty good so far as well with his 4-5 pitches he throws, so just becasue Tazawa may not be the 97mph flame thrower is not saying much and wouldn't hold that against him.

Once again, the nay sayers and fans of teams without scouts in Asian/foreign markets are creeping in and crying "foul" to the teams that are smart enough to look all over the globe against the few teams smart enough to do so.

i think he would be a great starter for the redsox. im a huge wakefield fan but im not crazy of them signin him again. albiet i also dont want clay bucholz comin back anytime soon. if Tazawa would fit nicely in the 4 hole and push wakefield back to 5.

"if Tazawa would fit nicely in the 4 hole"

If the Sox do sign him, Tazawa will not be starting regularly for the Sox any time soon. It would take a massive case of the injury bug. Boston got burned with Craig Hansen and Cla Meredith when they brought both up way too soon. If they get Tazawa, they'll take time and groom him. They'll treat him like a college kid coming out of the draft. If he pitches at all in the majors next year it'll in September as a reliever. The biggest effect this year from signing Tazawa will probably only be more of a willingness to trade away Bowden or Bard.

HandsHannon

The only reason buhholz did so bad last year was because he was struggling with injury. He pitched in a fall league this fall and was reported to show real progress. Besides, if the rangers want him over bowden and masterson, he must be getting back to the way he was around the time of his no hitter