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« Padres Eyeing Livan Hernandez, Cliff Floyd | Main | Out Of Options 2009 »
Ken Takahashi Signs With Blue Jays
According to Kyodo News, lefty Ken Takahashi signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays. Takahashi, 40 in April, posted a 3.50 ERA and 5.52 K/9 in 115.6 innings (20 starts) last year in Japan.
NPB Tracker profiled Takahashi back in December. Patrick Newman adds a few details: the Jays will evaluate Takahashi as a starter, and he could earn up to $1.5MM.
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Backup Lefty reliever maybe or maybe 1 of the Jays lefty relievers could be on the block.
Posted by: Devmac | February 02, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Dumb idea...
Posted by: GoSoX | February 02, 2009 at 09:30 AM
I would NEVER sign a 40, almost 41 year old pitcher to make the transition from Japan to the US. Just a dumb move unless they can afford such a gamble.
Posted by: Gamecockbrave04 | February 02, 2009 at 09:36 AM
its a minor league deal its a pretty good gamble if ya ask me.
Posted by: Devmac | February 02, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I hope it was for Canadian minimum wage...I won't say it's a dumb move, I'll just say it's a J.P. move
J.P. Ricciardi, attempting to catch lightning in a bottle for 3 years too many
Posted by: Ontario Greg | February 02, 2009 at 09:47 AM
If anything JP has been amazing at finding good Pen arms, I mean he only built the best pen in baseball.
Posted by: Devmac | February 02, 2009 at 09:53 AM
JP has pretty much done nothing in the offseason to bolster a rotation that had the best ERA in baseball last year. Losing Marcum and Mcgowen to injuries and Burnett to the Yanks you would assume he would sign better players then retreads like Mike Maroth and Matt Clement. If JP isnt gonna hand out anything more than minor league deals (especially in an offseason that is full of bargains and with many quality free agents still available) its gonna be a long season for the Jays.
Posted by: JRodNY | February 02, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Let be realistic the jays payroll got cut back and the jays are preparing for 2010. Having Marcum out for the year is a huge blow and we don't really know what McGowan will be like.
Posted by: Devmac | February 02, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Instant World Series favorites?
Posted by: juiced | February 02, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Takahashi may be a bit older and not have the track record that Takashi Saito did in Japan, but the Dodgers benefitted from a similar low-risk-high-reward roll of the dice.
Posted by: aj7380 | February 02, 2009 at 11:14 AM
A minor league signing is almost never a 'dumb move'.
No real risk. It just gives an option in case he either kicks ass in Spring Training or injuries cause a need for another body.
Posted by: rpriske | February 02, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Who in the hell cares!
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | February 02, 2009 at 12:37 PM
On paper this doesn't sound like a rebuilding team. The infield is getting older and the rotation isnt proven beyond Halladay and Litsch. Richmond and Purcey might be serviceable, and Clement and Maroth might be worth a shot, but why even bother giving the innings to a 40 year old from Japan? JP could save this season and build for next year but he needs to make some moves now while the market is favorable. Why not re-sign Orlando Hudson hes only 31. Get em for a discount and move Aaron Hill back to short. Obviously Rolen and Overbay are expendable with them both getting up in age and rapidly declining in talent. If they are really preparing for 2010 its time to move these guys and invest in some youth for this year. But if he really wants to go down the 40 year old route (I know this might sound crazy) why not offer Roger Clemens some sort of deal to come out of retirement. This might be his last chance to play before his legal issues take precedence and he had some of his best years there (won the Cy Young Award in both his seasons also winning the pitching Triple Crown twice). Just a thought...
Posted by: JRodNY | February 02, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Infield getting older? Overbay is 31, Inglett is 30, Hill is 26. Rolen is getting old, but he'll be out of here next year.
Posted by: juiced | February 02, 2009 at 04:25 PM
he's 39 turing 40
plus he came off an alright year in Japan
i think it is an alright move
Posted by: JaysFan22 | February 03, 2009 at 04:54 PM