Kenshin Kawakami Rumors

Odds and Ends: Ibanez, Dunn, Blake, Stewart

Let's kick off the morning with some random links. Live chat here today at 2pm CST. Brian Matusz is hopeful about striking a deal with the Orioles by Friday's deadline. Roch Kubatko has a source saying it's likely. Baseball America's Jim Callis warns us not to listen to the posturing - he still expects all the first-round draft picks to sign with the possible exception of Allan Dykstra. Should the Mariners offer Raul Ibanez a three-year deal at $10-11MM per? No word yet on possible Rays acquisitions in wake of the Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria injuries. Marc Lancaster wonders...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: McLouth, Doumit, Eyre, Bradley

Here's today's link roundup. Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus rates the best remaining fits for Barry Bonds. The Angels come out on top. The Mets seem pessimistic about Ryan Church returning this season. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has the latest buzz on the unsigned draft picks. The Astros dug up a pitcher in the independent leagues who is said to touch 100 mph. He's a 21 year-old righty named Jack Tilghman. The Pirates plan to offer long-term contracts to Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit. Sean McAdam says the Red Sox still have some interest in Scott Eyre. Dave Cameron can't figure...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Bedard, Hudson, Inoa, Varitek

Let's dig through today's links. Cork Gaines takes a look at the Rays most likely to be traded. According to Ken Davidoff, the Rockies have been scouting Yankees pitching prospect Humberto Sanchez. He'd be a more reasonable return for Brian Fuentes. Erik Bedard's MRI came out clean, but it's still hard to see him in a big league game before August. Dan Haren used to follow every trade rumor on the Internet, but Justin Duchscherer doesn't monitor the hot stove buzz. Shane Victorino is aware of the rumors, but wants to stay in Philly. With Emilio Bonifacio gone, Scott Bordow...   Continue Reading

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Kenshin Kawakami Prefers Red Sox?

RotoWorld has done some translating of a Japanese Associated Press article. They learned that Japanese righty Kenshin Kawakami reportedly prefers the Red Sox as his 2009 destination (he'll be a free agent). The translation notes that the Yankees and Mets have scouted Kawakami. Back in November of 2007, I asked Aaron Shinsano and Jackson Broder of East Windup Chronicle for a profile on Kawakami, among others. Here's what they wrote: Kenshin Kawakami - Japan's highest paid starter for the champion Chunichi Dragons (he made around $3MM) mixes a fastball, cutter, and curveball. His fastball runs around 87 and his curve...   Continue Reading

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Ranking Japanese Pitchers

By my count there are five Japanese pitchers who stand a good chance of jumping over to MLB for the 2008 season. I asked Aaron Shinsano and Jackson Broder of East Windup Chronicle to rank them for us and write a short description for each. Another knowledgable friend, Tak Iwanaga, also added some info below. 1. Hitoki Iwase - Iwase was on the hill for the tail end of last night's perfect game, the Japan Series clinching victory for the Chunichi Dragons. The lefty closer has 40+ saves three years running with a career 1.91 ERA. Tops out at around..   Continue Reading

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