Headlines

  • Russell Martin Announces Retirement
  • White Sox Designate Dallas Keuchel For Assignment
  • Carlos Martinez Receives 80-Game Suspension After Positive PED Test
  • Yankees Sign Matt Carpenter To Major League Contract
  • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings
  • Alex Reyes To Undergo Shoulder Surgery
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Brian Bannister Heading To Japan

By Dan Mennella | January 6, 2011 at 6:57pm CDT

Free-agent starter Brian Bannister has agreed to a one-year deal (plus a club option) with the Tokyo Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Bannister, a five-year veteran of the big leagues, pitched for one season with the Mets and the past four with the Royals, to largely underwhelming results, and made 108 starts in his four-year stint with Kansas City. He'll turn 30 in February.

A second-generation Major Leaguer, Bannister was selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 2003 draft.

Share 7 Retweet 19 Send via email0

Kansas City Royals Brian Bannister

Rangers, Murphy Avoid Arbitration
Main
Quick Hits: Keppinger, Pettitte, Bell, Molina
View Comments (44)

Comments

  1. METfan201

    11 years ago

    Wow . What a bad move for him

    Reply
    • jwsox

      11 years ago

      why is it a bad move? he was more than likely not going to get a MLB contract and have to settle for a minor league deal. So why not go to Japan and get for sure money.

      Reply
      • 0vercast

        11 years ago

        Because not many ballplayers return from Japan to make a meaningful contribution to an MLB squad.

        Reply
        • William

          11 years ago

          Um, Colby Lewis? Cecil Fielder?

        • 0vercast

          11 years ago

          Yes, that’s two. Please continue.

        • start_wearing_purple

          11 years ago

          And how many 30 year olds come back to make a meaningful contribution in the majors when they can’t seem to get a major league deal?

        • 0vercast

          11 years ago

          True, not many. But I do think the minor leagues offer better opportunities to rehabilitate a faltering career than heading to Japan will, perhaps as a reliever.

        • start_wearing_purple

          11 years ago

          Eh, maybe he just wanted a chance to pitch in Japan. Maybe they’re actually offering a decent living. Maybe he thinks he’s Tom Sellick.

        • 0vercast

          11 years ago

          Haha, I liked that movie as a kid.

        • start_wearing_purple

          11 years ago

          Not sure if I should be happy or afraid that someone got my reference 😉

        • 0vercast

          11 years ago

          I figured everybody on here had seen Mr. Baseball.

        • 0vercast

          11 years ago

          There was a scene that I liked that I couldn’t quite remember, so I looked it up on IMDB.

          Jack Elliot: [when the game starts to wane] It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!
          Yoji Nishimura, Jack’s Interpreter: [Yoji translates to the teammates] When the game is over, a fat lady will sing to us!
          [Team cheers]

        • Koby2

          11 years ago

          That has to be one of my favorite parts. Thank you late night perusing of HBO as a child that brought me the grace of that movie. That and other flicks that shan’t be mentioned here.

        • Kevin

          11 years ago

          i just wanted to see how small these reply boxes get as you keep going down. oh and going to japan isnt such a bad thing, have you seen their women???

        • Lunchbox45

          11 years ago

          japanese girls loveeee americans too… I’m not even that good looking and when I went to Japan I felt like Ringo

        • William

          11 years ago

          Big hit, happy body!

        • Koby2

          11 years ago

          Julio Franco, Matt Stairs

        • William

          11 years ago

          Well if you’re saying that among the players who fail to stick in the majors and have to go somewhere else, not many come back to make a meaningful contribution to an MLB squad, that’s true I guess but kind of a banal point. Plus I don’t see what is so terrible about going to Japan as opposed to Omaha. I cite Lewis and Fielder specifically because they went to Japan and were able to add the missing pieces to their games (controlling an at-bat rather than just chucking for Lewis, hitting high-quality junk pitches for Fielder), which they arguably wouldn’t have been able to do in another trip around the minors.

        • 0vercast

          11 years ago

          Good explanation. What I was saying was that the players who are able to find the missing piece in Japan are few and far between. 1 or 2 per decade it seems.

        • strikethree

          11 years ago

          But then again, how many make the trip there in the first place?

          More players choose to stay in the US so it shouldn’t be that surprising to see more players make comebacks through the minor leagues.

          Plus, I suppose guys with more potential would rather take their chances stateside than go through a new environment like Japan. Therefore, it would be a case of the person making the comeback instead of the environment where he finds his form. If you’re a below average player to begin with, the environment wouldn’t have much bearing on your chances of a comeback.

      • METfan201

        11 years ago

        I mean i get what ur saying yeah for money but… This guy has talent but he has injuries. And i was reading an article on him hearing how he would have many suitors if he was healthy and blah blah blah…but he couldve found a job. Japan is…different LOL.

        Reply
    • SpaldingBalls

      11 years ago

      Not a bad move because:
      He can experience more success there
      It pays better than minor league deal
      potential to be Colby Lewis

      Reply
      • awmusic

        11 years ago

        Even more so, I think playing in Japan is a great experience for most players. Especially guys like Brian who I feel is destined for a coaching position.

        Reply
      • awmusic

        11 years ago

        Even more so, I think playing in Japan is a great experience for most players. Especially guys like Brian who I feel is destined for a coaching position.

        Reply
  2. Lewis Martin

    11 years ago

    Good luck learning Japanese, Brian!

    Reply
  3. kcrlad1987

    11 years ago

    Are you kidding? far out, Royals have made shocking decisions this year and pretty much might as well drop off as a major league team and just become a training facility for the MLB since they help develop great talent only to trade them for nobodies.

    Reply
  4. 0vercast

    11 years ago

    It’s a shame for the Royals that this guy couldn’t get it together. I liked watching him in his rookie season in 2007. He had promise.

    Reply
  5. Ari Cheats

    11 years ago

    MLB is losing one of its sabermaticians. One of the smartest players out there. So sad!

    Reply
    • oscarrobles

      11 years ago

      His future is in coaching, managing, or probably even in a front office. Plenty of fantastic FO guys had a lackluster career as a player and went on to become brilliant scouts and GMs.

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        11 years ago

        usually its the players that struggle and need to work hard at every aspect who do become really good coaches and scouts because nothing came easy to them

        Reply
    • oscarrobles

      11 years ago

      His future is in coaching, managing, or probably even in a front office. Plenty of fantastic FO guys had a lackluster career as a player and went on to become brilliant scouts and GMs.

      Reply
  6. Koby2

    11 years ago

    At the least, he’ll probably return as a coach someday soon. He’ll always have a career in that.

    Reply
  7. Ian_Smell

    11 years ago

    Best of luck to you Brian. Hopefully you can come back Colby Lewis style.

    Reply
  8. besttradever

    11 years ago

    He should’ve accepted the minor league off from the royals or pirates.

    Reply
  9. baseballz

    11 years ago

    For a guy who was always a strong starter to seasons I’d have to think that starting once a week as opposed to every five days will have to help Bannister throw up a much better season. The guy knows how to pitch, its just his stuff isn’t the greatest. I’m sure he’ll have a couple great and healthy season’s in Japan and then come back to be mediocre again.

    Reply
  10. baseballz

    11 years ago

    For a guy who was always a strong starter to seasons I’d have to think that starting once a week as opposed to every five days will have to help Bannister throw up a much better season. The guy knows how to pitch, its just his stuff isn’t the greatest. I’m sure he’ll have a couple great and healthy season’s in Japan and then come back to be mediocre again.

    Reply
  11. Pool Messi

    11 years ago

    Can’t blame him with the state of our nation’s economy.

    Reply
  12. Pool Messi

    11 years ago

    Can’t blame him with the state of our nation’s economy.

    Reply
  13. JetsMetsGuy

    11 years ago

    METS SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM A SHOT THIS SPRING!

    Reply
    • tdw815

      11 years ago

      i agree with you, I thought he didn’t get a fair chance in NY

      Reply
  14. Jerry Krulic

    11 years ago

    Best of luck to him in Japan! It’s a shame he couldn’t continue his early success. The guy is a hardworker and was a great clubhouse guy… and until his numbers got worse was a fan favorite as well. Hope to see him back in a royals uniform replacing McClure someday!

    Reply
  15. Kiki Choquereau

    11 years ago

    this baseball player left Japanese team without notification on 15th of March because of the earthquake. then he will not be able to play baseball any other team in the world as the penalty. it is really big penalty.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Bannister

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Russell Martin Announces Retirement

    White Sox Designate Dallas Keuchel For Assignment

    Carlos Martinez Receives 80-Game Suspension After Positive PED Test

    Yankees Sign Matt Carpenter To Major League Contract

    2022-23 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings

    Alex Reyes To Undergo Shoulder Surgery

    Counsell: Freddy Peralta To Miss “Significant” Time

    Dodgers Extend Blake Treinen

    Brewers To Place Freddy Peralta On Injured List Due To Shoulder Tightness

    Mariners Sign Justin Upton

    Chad Green To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Orioles Promote Adley Rutschman

    Luis Gil To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Carter Kieboom To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Cardinals To Promote Nolan Gorman, Matthew Liberatore; Tyler O’Neill To IL

    Recent

    Angels Place Anthony Rendon On 10-Day Injured List Due To Wrist Inflammation

    Cubs Activate Clint Frazier, Place Michael Hermosillo On The 10-Day Injured List

    Mets Promote Nick Plummer, Option Yoan Lopez

    Twins Place Danny Coulombe On 15-Day IL, Select Juan Minaya

    Russell Martin Announces Retirement

    Dodgers Place Max Muncy On 10-Day IL, Select Kevin Pillar

    Injured List Transactions: Perez, Perdomo, McGee, Casali

    Tommy Pham Suspended For Three Games Over Altercation With Joc Pederson

    White Sox Designate Dallas Keuchel For Assignment

    Athletics Designate Justin Grimm, Select Austin Pruitt

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Story Rumors
    • Frankie Montas Rumors
    • Michael Conforto Rumors
    • Arbitration Tracker
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version