Junichi Tazawa Rumors

Gammons On Sheffield, Tazawa, Kearns

ESPN's Peter Gammons posted a new blog entry last night. Let's take a look. Gammons sees Gary Sheffield as a "serious comeback player of the year candidate." Rangers GM Jon Daniels told Gammons his team bid $7MM for Junichi Tazawa, but the Red Sox signed him for $3MM due to their presence in Japan. According to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, the Rangers also offered more money to reliever Chad Cordero but he preferred the West Coast. Kicking Jim Bowden while he's down: Gammons says Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns was claimed on waivers last summer but the Nationals pulled...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Tazawa, Anderson, Viciedo

A few links for Wednesday night... Ian Browne of MLB.com writes that Junichi Tazawa could probably pitch in the majors now, it just wouldn't be ideal for the pitcher's development. Newsday's Ken Davidoff breaks down the offseason's winners and losers. Lars Anderson wasn't disappointed when Mark Teixeira signed with the Yankees, according to Howard Ulman of the AP (via the Boston Globe), but the Red Sox prospect says he wouldn't be doing anything differently if Tex were with Boston. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that third base prospect Dayan Viciedo could very well end up in the outfield...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Rumors: Sabathia, Youkilis, Tazawa

Red Sox rumors and links abound this morning. ESPN's Buster Olney says the Red Sox will meet with C.C. Sabathia within the next few days. It's unknown whether they have serious interest. Olney adds that the Sox hope to sign Kevin Youkilis and Jon Lester long-term, in the wake of the Dustin Pedroia deal. Peter Gammons suggested a deal for Youkilis could get done quickly. Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe says GM Theo Epstein has prioritized catching. Epstein suggested more catchers may be available in trade than people think. Benjamin says the Red Sox also want to add a...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Renteria, Burnett, Delmon

Interesting linkage this Thursday evening: ESPN's Keith Law gives a thumbs up on the Giants' signing of Edgar Renteria. Jesse Spector examines comparables for A.J. Burnett. Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News suggests the Rockies could be a fit for Delmon Young. Young doesn't seem to be in Ron Gardenhire's preferred starting outfield. Tony Massarotti at the Boston Globe points out that Junichi Tazawa's signing may help mitigate the loss of a draft pick in the event that the Red Sox were to sign a Type A free agent that had been offered arbitration (examples would be Derek Lowe...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Teixeira, Izturis, Gaudin

Links for Thursday... Check out this week's minor league transactions. Some familiar names were signed. The Red Sox officially announced the signing of Junichi Tazawa. J.C. Bradbury likes the Dustin Pedroia contract. Sox Machine has parting words for Javier Vazquez, whose trade to the Braves was officially announced today. ESPN's Keith Law tells you all you need to know about the players involved in the deal. Tyler Flowers is the key, Santos Rodriguez the wild card. The Rockies' talks for lefty reliever Joe Beimel continue. In another article, Patrick Saunders looks at the team's wish list. Rob Neyer believes teams...   Continue Reading

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Japanese Links: Kawakami, Tazawa

A few links today involving Japanese players... Michael Silverman and Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald wrote yesterday that the Red Sox have scouted Kenshin Kawakami multiple times and he has interest in pitching for them. Kawakami figures to receive multiple bids, assuming he commits to MLB first. ESPN's Keith Law says signing Junichi Tazawa was a "no-brainer" for the Red Sox. Law figures Tazawa will start in Double A and could reach the Majors in '09. Aaron Shinsano of East Windup Chronicle respectfully disagrees; he doesn't believe Tazawa is ready for Double A. Shinsano suggests marketing played a part...   Continue Reading

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Boston Set To Sign Junichi Tazawa

SUNDAY: Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe talked to a baseball source who says the Red Sox have an agreement in place with Tazawa. Look for an official announcement later in the week, after he takes his physical. It appears to be a Major League deal for $3MM over three years. He'll be arbitration-eligible after three years of big league service time. FRIDAY: Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa appears close to signing with the Boston Red Sox, reports Chad Finn at the Boston Globe. The offer for the 22-year old is reportedly a three-year, major league deal nearing $6MM, putting...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Tazawa, Hoffman, Halladay

Links for Saturday... Junichi Tazawa is expected to announce early next week that he will sign with the Red Sox. He turned down offers from the Rangers, Mariners and Braves. The Padres recently offered to talk with Trevor Hoffman, but he hasn't responded. Tom Krasovic also has a Sandy Alderson quote that the Padres are "highly unlikely" to offer Hoffman arbitration. Robert MacLeod talked to Blue Jays insiders who believe trading ace Roy Halladay would send "the wrong signal" to fans since the Jays want to compete in 2009. Rob Neyer wonders how C.C. Sabathia's weight will affect his performance...   Continue Reading

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Rangers Rumors: Byrd, Valverde, Littleton

We haven't discussed the Rangers much lately. Let's take a look at the latest from MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan (here and here). Hat tip: The Newberg Report. The interest shown in Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla has been "tentative at best." Rangers GM Jon Daniels wants Clay Buchholz from the Red Sox for one of his catchers, but Sullivan says the Sox made it clear Buchholz is not available under any circumstances. Sullivan suggests the Sox might be more inclined to trade Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden if they bolster their minor league pitching depth by signing Junichi Tazawa. Sullivan wonders...   Continue Reading

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Orioles Rumors: Burnett, Markakis, Japan

3:08pm: Roch Kubatko of MASN Online gives thoughts on the Orioles and Mark Teixeira and Burnett. Kubatko believes there's no chance the O's offer five years to Burnett, and even four would be a stretch. He'd have to be willing to take a discount to come to Baltimore. As for Tex, will he be willing to play for a team that may not be competitive in the first few years of his deal? 8:32am: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun talked to A.J. Burnett's agent Darek Braunecker, who said his client has narrowed his list from twelve to about six...   Continue Reading

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