Yu Darvish Rumors

Odds and Ends: Gammons, Kawakami, Buck

Links for Monday... Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik admitted to have a conversation with Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent, but wouldn't reveal anything else. One of Matthew Cerrone's readers dug up a Primera Hora article saying the Mets have been scouting free agent reliever Fernando Cabrera. Bob Klapisch looks at Pedro Martinez's four-year, $53MM deal and asks: was it worth it? Rays Index notes that Grant Balfour will use WBC participation as a bargaining chip in contract negotiations (he's eligible for arbitration). Marc Hulet of Baseball Analysts looks at top hitters for the Rule 5 draft. Fire Brand of the American League...   Continue Reading

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Darvish Wants 200 Wins In Japan

Don't look for Yu Darvish to be pitching in America any time soon. Patrick at NPB Tracker speculates that Darvish might actually be thankful for Junichi Tazawa taking some of the MLB spotlight and speculation off of him. Darvish told a crowd of over 43,000 fans that he "isn't dreaming of Major League Baseball," and wants to win 200 games in his Japanese career. He's got a ways to go, but he's about 25% of the way there with 48 career NPB wins. Darvish, 22, has posted a 31-9 record with a 1.85 ERA and 418 Ks through 408.1 IP...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Lee, Rogers, Beltre, Darvish

Today's random linkage... The Indians signed 21 year-old pitcher Chen-Chang Lee out of Taiwan. Anthony Castrovince has the scouting report. East Windup Chronicle says the bonus is in the $350-400K range. Kenny Rogers suggested Jim Leyland remove him from the rotation. Rogers still thinks he can pitch effectively next year at 44, however. Geoff Baker notes an extra benefit to delaying Adrian Beltre's surgery - the playing time could nudge him toward Type A status when he reaches free agency after the '09 season. Ken Davidoff of Newsday says Yu Darvish will probably not be posted this winter but could...   Continue Reading

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Tazawa Ignites Controversy

Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa is shaking things up - last week he asked the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams not to draft him. He wants to join an MLB team instead. His decision, coupled with interest from multiple MLB teams, is putting a major strain on MLB-NPB relations. Peter Abraham of The Journal News had an informative article on the Tazawa situation yesterday. He says Tazawa's decision is testing an informal agreement that MLB will not sign Japanese prospects. Abraham says the Red Sox, Mets, Braves, and Dodgers have scouted Tazawa. The Tigers, Pirates, Cubs, and Mariners may also...   Continue Reading

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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...   Continue Reading

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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: Darvish, Giles, Teixeira

Today's link roundup... I was a guest on Get Sports Radio yesterday to talk about the Reds. Click here to download an mp3 of the show. NPB Tracker notes that 21 year-old phenom Yu Darvish threw 165 pitches last night. GM Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers are definitely not sellers. They're undecided on whether to buy or stick with internal options. The Tigers' approach to the relief market may hinge on Freddy Dolsi's fatigued shoulder. Buster Olney says the Mets and Padres have discussed right fielder Brian Giles. He'd earn $11MM in '09 if traded. However, Joel Sherman doesn't think...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Phillips, Chacon, Hewitt, Griffey

Random links for Tuesday. Interesting news out of Philly...Brett Myers accepted a minor league assignment. The Phils seem likely to acquire a starter this month. That was quick - the Mets designated Andy Phillips for assignment. Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released without pay, but the players' association plans to file a grievance. It's a matter of a million bucks. The Phillies signed first-round pick Anthony Hewitt, a high school infielder. He'll get about $1.4MM. The Cards officially inked top pick Brett Wallace, a college third baseman. Three scouts watched Reds reliever David Weathers last night. Just throwing it...   Continue Reading

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Yu Darvish E-Ticket Article

I always enjoy ESPN's in-depth E-ticket articles. Jim Caple's piece on Yu Darvish is no exception. In case you hadn't heard, Darvish is the Next Big Thing in Japan. He's a 21 year-old ace pitcher. A few highlights from the article: The commonly kicked-around posting fee for Darvish is $75MM. Remember, everyone thought Dice-K would require $25-30MM and the fee ended up being $51.1MM. If Darvish received Dice-K's six-year, $52MM deal and required an $80MM posting fee, he'd cost $22MM a year. Darvish's team, the Nippon Ham Fighters, didn't allow Caple to ask about the MLB possibility. But the team's...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Darvish, Maddux

Let's kick off the day with some random links. Baseball America's Jim Callis profiles young phenom Yu Darvish, currently pitching in Japan. If he were MLB-bound, he'd be the third-best prospect in the game. DRays Bay would like to see Edwin Jackson traded rather than Jason Hammel, if there's a roster squeeze. Greg Maddux has told some teammates that this is his last season. That nugget is only a small part of Tim Keown's fantastic article about the legendary Professor.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Darvish, Crisp

Let's round up some morning links. McCovey Chronicles feels that the Jose Castillo signing reduces the Joe Crede threat level for the Giants. Jonathan Papelbon wants to drive the market for closers upward. Keith Law discusses J.P. Ricciardi's decision to overrule scouting advisers and draft Ricky Romero over Troy Tulowitzki for the Blue Jays back in '05. If Yu Darvish is posted after this season, will it cost $75MM just to negotiate with him? From Buster Olney on Sunday: "Rival teams are not entirely sure if the Red Sox are devoted to the idea of trading Coco Crisp." Pedro Martinez...   Continue Reading

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Yu Darvish On Yankees' Radar?

Yu Darvish is a 21 year-old Iranian-Japanese starter for the Nippon Ham Fighters. Darvish backs up his celebrity status as perhaps Japan's best pitcher. His Wikipedia page is a good read. Today, East Windup Chronicle speaks of a thirdhand report indicating the Yankees' intent to acquire Darvish after the 2008 season. Apparently the Dodgers, Mets, and Cubs are on his trail as well. According to the report, Daisuke Matsuzaka's $8.6MM salary would be the floor with Darvish. And I'm guessing his posting fee would easily exceed Dice-K's $51.1MM. Two huge questions remain. Are the Fighters actually considering posting Darvish after..   Continue Reading

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