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Blue Jays Sign Shun Yamaguchi

By Jeff Todd | December 28, 2019 at 10:30am CDT

TODAY: The Blue Jays’ deal with Yamaguchi is official.  They’ve signed the right-hander to a two-year, $6.35MM deal, per Scott Mitchell of TSN Sports (via Twitter).

3:35pm: There’s a deal in place, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (via Twitter).

2:59pm: The Blue Jays appear to be pressing hard to add Japanese hurler Shun Yamaguchi. According to Sanspo.com (Japanese language link), the sides are closing in on a two-year deal that would pay him around $3MM annually if it’s finalized.

If the sides wrap things up, the Toronto organization will owe the Yomiuri Giants twenty percent of the total guarantee as a transfer fee. Japan’s marquee organization formally posted Yamaguchi on December 3rd.

Yamaguchi, a 32-year-old forkballer, has had plenty of success in Japan’s top league as both a starter and reliever. Once a star closer for the Yokohama BayStars, Yamaguchi has more recently taken the ball to open games for Yomiuri. Last year, working from the rotation, he delivered 170 frames of 2.91 ERA ball with 10.0 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9.

It stands to reason that the starter-needy Blue Jays will at least give Yamaguchi a shot at winning a rotation job out of camp. But the club could also certainly be in the market for relief help, so its intentions aren’t yet clear. Odds are the Jays are drawn in no small part to Yamaguchi’s versatility. He has plenty of experience locking up saves in NPB so could even ultimately be called upon in a high-leverage role if the circumstances warrant.

 

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Newsstand Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Shun Yamaguchi

Blue Jays Notes: Ryu, Boras, Shapiro
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Outfield Market Notes: Akiyama, Puig, Dickerson
View Comments (107)
Post a Comment

107 Comments

  1. krillin89

    5 years ago

    Worth a shot!

    7
    Reply
    • cb19

      5 years ago

      This is the guy you sign after Ryu, not instead of Ryu. The Jays management team is pathetic.

      2
      Reply
      • rhymo

        5 years ago

        Did it say anything in the article about them signing him in place of Ryu? They’re preparing in case he signs somewhere else with more depth. Relax

        1
        Reply
        • Marner#16

          5 years ago

          Rhymo,

          RELAX, Don’t waste your time on the jays they won’t spend other then bo and cavan ain’t worth watching . JR needs t lose some lbs get in shape and try to stop stretching singles into doubles he’s too slow!

          Reply
      • Marner#16

        5 years ago

        The jays are a joke!!! Have been since 93 !

        Reply
        • coldbeer

          5 years ago

          They won it all in 93. You mean 1994.

          3
          Reply
      • bigdaddyt

        5 years ago

        This comment didn’t age well eh!

        6
        Reply
      • Dbacks44

        5 years ago

        Just a bit outside

        1
        Reply
      • herecomethephillies2018

        5 years ago

        Swiiiiiing and a miss

        3
        Reply
      • LordD99

        5 years ago

        …and that’s exactly what they did

        1
        Reply
      • jaysfansince1977

        5 years ago

        Bet you are feeling foolish right now!!! LOL

        1
        Reply
        • Braydon Gervais

          5 years ago

          Nah, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about “fans” like this living in Toronto is even when they are wrong or just completely uneducated on the baseball topic they are talking about rather than own their loss they’ll double down.

          1
          Reply
        • yaow 2

          5 years ago

          That’s baseball fans and people all over.

          People say/do dumb and ignorant things and get called out? They double down, sometimes play the victim card, and blame everyone but themselves.

          Reply
      • Sirsleepit

        5 years ago

        Man this comment didn’t age well

        Reply
      • bigboybambino

        5 years ago

        I don’t like what the Jays have been doing in general but I got to say this off-season has been more exciting than I anticipated but I would like to see a big bat enter this lineup of rookie hitters because Travis Shaw isn’t enough we have a rotation now, not great but we have a number two in Ryu and a couple of guys who can throw some innings. this isn’t the year for us to compete but I would like to see someone added to the lineup every day

        Reply
      • johanjoseph1

        5 years ago

        Lmaoo we got both buddy chill

        Reply
    • joeflaccosunibrow

      5 years ago

      I agree. I loved playing the first handheld pet game. Tamaguchi was cool back in the day.

      1
      Reply
  2. Ironman_4life

    5 years ago

    You ever see two Logging trucks passing each other up on the freeway and wonder what’s going on?

    Reply
    • Yeetus

      5 years ago

      Yama- Gucci Gang Gucci Gang!

      1
      Reply
    • jorge78

      5 years ago

      Please explain?

      Reply
    • leeroyjenkins

      5 years ago

      if you need logs over there, and you need logs over there… you think a simple phone call with Save-A-Lot trouble

      Reply
      • leeroyjenkins

        5 years ago

        would save a lot of trouble *∆

        1
        Reply
    • zuffahd

      5 years ago

      lol

      Reply
  3. dman07

    5 years ago

    Yeah why not….

    1
    Reply
  4. GB85

    5 years ago

    3M is peanuts, worth giving the guy a chance.

    4
    Reply
    • seattlesuperfan

      5 years ago

      That’s a lot of peanuts

      Reply
      • TheAdrianBeltre

        5 years ago

        Better be honey roasted, on someone’s gonna be extra salty…

        3
        Reply
        • One Bite Hotdog

          5 years ago

          wasabi

          2
          Reply
    • yogineely

      5 years ago

      ….and company that makes tapes, bandaids, and other items

      5
      Reply
    • Moneyballer

      5 years ago

      All the players in the minor leagues waiting for a shot would do just about anything to be paid 3 mil on a major league deal. He pitched in korea, is 32 and somehow gets a direct shot at the show. Lucky guy!

      1
      Reply
      • Buhnersideburns

        5 years ago

        …. The 32 year old pitched in Japan, and after 14 years of excellent results, against far more polished hitters than he would have faced in the MiLB, has more than earned his shot at the MLB level. *Fixed

        3
        Reply
      • Sid Bream

        5 years ago

        Korea and Japan, two different countries, and I don’t see the relevance about where he pitched to being signed to a MLB contract. Getting signed relates purely to baseball skill & potential, and I am sure there are people with far more knowledge than you that have actually watched him pitch . I guarantee you’ve never watched the NPB or the KBO or baseball from other countries.

        1
        Reply
  5. amandafafi

    5 years ago

    Hell. J Happ makes 17

    2
    Reply
  6. turner9

    5 years ago

    This is good news

    Ryu next? Have all the SP 25 n under in AAA next year?)

    1
    Reply
    • dman07

      5 years ago

      Could happen. It would be a good move for our younger guys. Maybe Teheran is more realistic than Ryu?

      1
      Reply
  7. mrnatewalter

    5 years ago

    His sister was quite the figure skater…

    Reply
  8. Moneyballer

    5 years ago

    Ill take 3 million to get shelled by the all the hitters of the AL East! Good luck with that.

    Reply
    • TBJ12

      5 years ago

      Yamaguchi led the NPB in swinging strike % last year and put up a sub 3 ERA. He’s actually similar to Tanaka.

      2
      Reply
  9. Murphy NFLD

    5 years ago

    Ryu now maybe? If not were in good shape anyway we all know Roark is an ace

    Reply
  10. whyhayzee

    5 years ago

    Shouldn’t he be a chopsticksballer instead of a forkballer? Just a thought.

    5
    Reply
    • longsuffering

      5 years ago

      A racist one..

      1
      Reply
    • Taejonguy

      5 years ago

      maybe… try not to have any more of those…

      Reply
    • dynamite drop in monty

      5 years ago

      You should get slapped for this

      Reply
  11. Murphy NFLD

    5 years ago

    I always thought when the jays had dickey that it would be a good idea for him to pitch the 6th,7th and 8th innings. If u have a starter and a closer throwing 96+ and a guy in between throwing knuckle/forkballs at 70 with tumbling movement tell me that isn’t going to throw off the hitters timing severely. If he throws 30-40 pitches couldn’t he go every other day or 2

    1
    Reply
  12. mlb1225

    5 years ago

    If 2 years, 6 million total, wonder why I no other teams took a flyer on him.

    1
    Reply
    • greatd

      5 years ago

      He’s had attitude problems.
      Injuring a nurse during rehab and such.

      He’s a son of a famous sumo wrestler as well.
      Might be the reason why he’s kind of ignorant.

      1
      Reply
  13. its_happening

    5 years ago

    Roark
    Anderson
    Thornton
    Shoemaker
    Borucki
    Yamaguchi?

    Definitely no Kay, Zeuch, Waguespack. That’s fine I guess. 2020 is a season to answer questions, offensively and defensively. Still growing pains ahead.

    Reply
    • turner9

      5 years ago

      I feel like it would go

      Shoe
      Roark
      Yamagushi
      Thornton
      Anderson

      Bourucki is the lefty out the pen that must go 3 batters / long man

      I’d love to see Ryu on top of that list and push Thornton to AAA for 1 more year or experiment with him as Giles replacement, can also be done if Waguespack has a good spring

      Kay and Zeuch wont hurt with another year seasoning . SRF has to be in the mix somewhere still (8th inning?) and Pearson should make his debut.

      Finally the pitching is sounding decent. 500 is more than achievable and wild card if we can sort our outfield

      Reply
      • its_happening

        5 years ago

        Not sure how Shoemaker became the ace after, what, 5 starts!

        Did anyone ask where Nate Pearson fits into the equation come May? Has anyone thought about the younger arms in-general? If Pearson dominates AAA he should be up after a month. If there is a full rotation that will not happen.

        People here are hoping for a best-case scenario yet a few months ago we were supposed to trust the process. Telling the young players its time to win before they are ready is not trusting the process. As for Kay and Zeuch, the offseason suggests management doesn’t think much of them. The front office may have a point. We may already see an L on the Stroman trade depending on how the younger prospect performs.

        Also not certain Giles will be dealt. There should be talk and there’s zero buzz.

        Reply
    • coldbeer

      5 years ago

      Do you know how many pitchers have started games for the Jays in the past couple years? I’ll throw out 70 in the past 3 years. The more the merrier…they need arms.

      Reply
      • Buhnersideburns

        5 years ago

        49…. that’s includes their use of multiple openers last season…. I would have thought that number would have been higher as well

        1
        Reply
        • coldbeer

          5 years ago

          Thanks!

          Reply
      • its_happening

        5 years ago

        They have arms. Didn’t say quality but they have arms. That is how a rebuild works.

        Reply
  14. coldbeer

    5 years ago

    So where was MLBTR on this one? For that kind of bread, which in the grand scheme of things isnt much, nobody around here had this coming…

    Except for Zaidi…

    Reply
    • Steve Adams

      5 years ago

      We’ve discussed Yamaguchi on multiple occasions since he asked to be posted in mid-November.

      Reply
      • coldbeer

        5 years ago

        Zero links in the article which you guys are usually spot on with. I still don’t remember him being tied to anyone…

        Wait…

        “As for Yamaguchi, 32, it’s possible to imagine just about any team in the majors having interest.”

        Way to put yourself out there Jeff!

        Reply
        • coldbeer

          5 years ago

          Also, nice to add the link after the fact too 🙁

          I love MLBTR too much 🙂

          Reply
        • Steve Adams

          5 years ago

          mlbtraderumors.com/shun-yamaguchi

          1
          Reply
  15. CaptainHooks

    5 years ago

    Minnesota Twins Front office WHIFFED again. Ryu and Keuchel might be their last chance at bat.

    Reply
  16. kelticknotz

    5 years ago

    I looked at the projected team payrolls for 2020. The Jays are 27th at just over 50 mil. With only Baltimore, Tampa and Marlins spending less.
    When Atkins talks about improving the rotation he didn’t mean by signing top quality pitchers, he proved this last year with his shrewd deals for Jackson, Morris and others who never pitched more then a few games before they were released.
    They want good pitching offer to take Price and Benidenti for 20 -25 mil with Noston picking up the remaining amount. Offer Yankees 10mil for Happ with Yankees covering 7mil and sign Ryu o Keuchel. and they are still well under 150 mil per season and they have a rotation that is in place fo the next two to three yeas until the kids are ready.
    Oh and look for a new President and GM . These two are useless,

    Reply
    • steelerbravenation

      5 years ago

      Takes 2 to Tango
      Why would Ryu want to go to Toronto ???
      Other than money

      Reply
      • kelticknotz

        5 years ago

        Of course for the money, thats the name of the game now. Players no longer commit to a team for anything other then money and owners don’t instill a desire to stay.
        Its almost impossible to find a player these days who will play his entire career with one team.
        by the same token you have teams that would like to shed playes but they paid them so much in ridiculous long term deals that can’t trade them now
        Boston (Price) Detroit (Caberra) New York (Stanton)

        1
        Reply
    • rovssss

      5 years ago

      Yes, terrible move signing the best pitcher out of Japan for $3M and not giving 50 million for overrated locker room cancer bad contracts.

      Why don’t we bring Tulowitzki back while we’re at it? We’re still paying him.

      2
      Reply
      • kelticknotz

        5 years ago

        Are you suggesting Happ or Price were cancers in the jays locker room. You never heard that from any Jays players.
        I’m not suggesting either of them is going to take the Jays to the promised land, they however are both good starts and the maximum contract is Price at 3 yrs and Happ at 2 yrs.

        Reply
        • rovssss

          5 years ago

          Bad contracts to players with bad attitudes are what causes locker-room cancers. You have a bunch of desperate has-beens trying to reclaim their former glory, while paying for all of the team dinners and being the “veteran leaders”.

          Why do you think teams are dealing these guys and you’re also getting a prospect back as well? Happ will probably lead the AL in homers allowed. While getting paid $17Million and blocking a younger player.

          Price is the most toxic contract in the league.

          I guess taking on other people’s trash is the solution to all of life’s problems.

          Reply
        • rovssss

          5 years ago

          Why not instead give a chance to an ace from Japan plus 3 hard-working pitchers who know how to pitch and get the most out of their average arms (Roark, Anderson, Shoemaker)?

          If any of those guys can’t pull their weight, then you throw them in the pen and give a spot to Anthony Kay, Borucki or any of the loads of pitching prospects we’ve acquired in the past few seasons. Nate Pearson may also be worth a spot in the majors as a guy who follows an opener… Pearson is really, really good.

          I would chill out with all of that.

          Spots open in your rotation also means chances to use different guys and use openers and 3-4 inning pitchers (like the Rays) and see if you can develop some quality arms.

          This team is rebuilding until the next wave of talent comes through.

          Let the kids play.

          Reply
      • kelticknotz

        5 years ago

        And one more think. You mentioned Tulowitski. Jays are no longer paying him. If he wasn’t retired or was on extended IL he would be getting paid. However when he retired any money to Jays owed him stopped.

        Reply
        • turner9

          5 years ago

          I dont think that’s true in Tulos case

          Correct me if I’m wrong it the Jays bought him out, therefore he was paid the entirety of the remainder of his contract the day the Jays released him

          Had he retired as a Jay and didn’t receive a buyout then yes, his contract would have been null and void

          Reply
  17. steelerbravenation

    5 years ago

    Blue Jays are not going anywhere next year. They need to sign a couple more mid rotation starters.
    Teheran comes to mind.
    Also trade for Happ and make sure Frazier comes with him.

    Reply
    • kelticknotz

      5 years ago

      I agree the kids had a great start in the infield but they need a second year, but Happ and Price and Keuchel are all available for 2 to 3 yrs which would allow the young pitchers a chance to get some experience coming out of the pen.

      Reply
  18. kelticknotz

    5 years ago

    I agree the kids had a great start in the infield but they need a second year, but Happ and Price and Keuchel are all available for 2 to 3 yrs which would allow the young pitchers a chance to get some experience coming out of the pen.

    Reply
  19. Mario93

    5 years ago

    Watching highlights of Yamaguchi, his fastball is extremely flat. He’s probably going to have to pitch backwards at the big league level, kinda like Tanaka if he wants success in the big leagues.. His breaking pitches have a lot of break to them, the key with Yamaguchi will be that fastball. He has to paint with it, and throw some high to get hitters to get weak contact or strike them out. If he doesn’t pitch smart, and be wary where and when he throws that fastball, he will get hit around badly. If he makes adjustments, and decides possibly to pitch “backwards” he can have success. He’s an older pitcher, so I’m guessing he’ll be wise enough to make the proper adjustments. The breaking pitches like I said though, are big league worthy, the fastball is probably not. Jays probably get a backend starter with Yamaguchi, fastball location, and deceptiveness will be key, or he won’t succeed.

    Reply
    • its_happening

      5 years ago

      91-92 mph. Watched his highlights too. Reminded me of a slim Irabu.

      Reply
      • Mario93

        5 years ago

        Great comparison. They have nearly identical forms. I don’t know… we’ll see what happens with this guy. Hope we got a steal. Scared of that extremely hit-able looking fastball.

        Reply
        • jaysfansince1977

          5 years ago

          That hit-able looking fast ball went over the wall a total of 8 times in 170 inning last season in a very good hitting league!

          Reply
        • its_happening

          5 years ago

          The hitting calibre is much different in the major leagues. MLB has hitters bigger, stronger and built to hurt.

          Reply
  20. josh_hutzol

    5 years ago

    Finally someone that gets it. Idk why everyone bashed Shapiro and Atkins. Yes they aren’t overly aggressive but who could we have realistically signed that makes us “competitive” going forward? Wheeler wanted Philly, Stras wanted DC, Cole took the money and wanted NY…none of the hitters really fit long term (minus maybe a Castellanos if you wanna get cheeky) so idk understand why everyone is so butt hurt over this off-season, we were never getting any of the big names and everyone else (Ryu, Keuchel…) would realistically make us better but won’t actually help us when we are ready. Pick up a Tehran, Walker, Castellanos (barring price) and then eat a contract like Myers or Happ instead of signing a Ryu or Keuchel and get some prospect capital back. Sorry for the rant, but open to discussing opinions and any criticisms. Here’s to hoping our future four pan out!

    2
    Reply
    • Mario93

      5 years ago

      Castellanos would be a great get, adds another young potent bat, the best one possibly, to this lineup. 27 years old, who certainly fits. Plug him in at DH and let him lead the way with the bat, and can throw him out in the corner outfield positions if need be. I think the Jays should be all over him. I think he’d lengthen out that lineup tremendously. May sign for a very reasonable deal as well. Jays need to sign him.

      Reply
    • its_happening

      5 years ago

      All the guys you mentioned probably won’t be acquired by the Jays. Jays should be in on Teheran and Walker. Castellanos would be a great addition but that’s not happening. Myers and Happ aren’t happening either. As for why people criticize management is because they put themselves in this hole by going after B and C free agents after two ALCS appearances and not starting the rebuild early enough. Trading Donaldson a year too late, not trading Smoak, other moves. Would have rather seen Roark sign elsewhere and traded for Happ instead.

      Reply
      • josh_hutzol

        5 years ago

        Very fair point! I was pissed we didn’t start the rebuild when we should have, and we lost so much value which like you said hurt us going forward! But imagine being the new GM of a team that made the playoffs two years in a row and then just tearing it all down the next…I agree they should have but still a tough spot to be in!
        I don’t think the jays will pull the trigger on a guy like Castellanos but he would be a huge upgrade (hitting wise) over Tellez, Teoscar, and Fisher

        Reply
        • its_happening

          5 years ago

          Josh I hear you. Would’ve rather had Walker and Teheran over Roark, even though Roark is the better pitcher. And yes, not rebuilding sooner was a mistake. GMs do this to prolong their stay as GM. In San Fran, Zaidi is doing just that as we speak. Losing out on Cardinal prospects offered up for Donaldson definitely stings.

          I like Castellanos. Aside from defense (he has a strong throwing arm from RF), he’s a very good player. Jays would have to get rid of 3 OFs to facilitate him, or 2 OFs and Drury. The 7 OFs are: Gurriel, Teoscar, Grichuk, McKinney, Fisher, Alford, Davis. Davis will be the odd man out even though he’s the best defensive CF. Gurriel, Grichuk and Fisher seem safe (Gurriel should be the only safe OF). That leaves Alford, Teoscar and McKinney.

          Reply
    • kelticknotz

      5 years ago

      Shapiro and Atkin get in front of the camera’s and talk a great rant about what the Jays need to move forward and it all sounds good. Then they turn around and do nothing.
      I’m not suggesting we have to have a 200 mil payroll but damn it 50 mil payroll for 2020 , 27th lowest payroll is a little weak. There are decent pitches they could sign fo 2 or 3 yrs and still be ready for the big jump.

      1
      Reply
  21. jimmertee

    5 years ago

    Tamagotchi’s fastball is going to get hammered in MLB. The only question is how much. This signing is typical Shapiro bargain basement shopping.

    The Jays have a rotation of 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. Only Borucki has a shot at a #2. This year isn’t going to be pretty(again).

    Reply
  22. kelticknotz

    5 years ago

    Shapiro and Atkin get in front of the camera’s and talk a great rant about what the Jays need to move forward and it all sounds good. Then they turn around and do nothing.
    I’m not suggesting we have to have a 200 mil payroll but damn it 50 mil payroll for 2020 , 27th lowest payroll is a little weak. There are decent pitches they could sign fo 2 or 3 yrs and still be ready for the big jump.

    Reply
  23. charlesk

    5 years ago

    It does seem hypocritical of Shapiro and Atkins to sign a player who was suspended in 2017 for violating NPB rules after a physical assault. He was suspended for the remainder of that season after being accused of causing bodily harm and property damage at a hospital in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward. NPB fined him 1/300th of his salary per day from July 11 through the end of the 2017 season, with the total cost of his alleged outburst likely in excess of ¥100 million (roughly $913,000).

    He is accused of shoving a male security guard in the chest, causing him to crash into a desk, leaving bruising on his lower back that lasted for two weeks. He also reportedly damaged a door at the hospital.

    Shatkins dumped Roberto Osuna after he was also suspended (for 75 games) for violating the league’s policy on domestic assault.

    So is the message here that physical assault is okay if the victim is a man, but not a woman?

    Seems utterly hypocritical that the Shatkins defenders and fan boys on this site and others are defending Yamaguchi’s behaviour all while hammering Osuna!

    1
    Reply
    • terrymesmer

      5 years ago

      Wasn’t it you, Charles, on other blogs, who argued that Osuna was never convicted, therefore he was mistreated?

      You are on the wrong end of the hypocrisy lickin’ stick, Charles.

      Reply
      • its_happening

        5 years ago

        Cite a source? That’s a pretty big accusation. Based on your reputation you’re probably wrong as usual.

        Reply
    • jdgoat

      5 years ago

      Insufferable

      Reply
    • jaysfansince1977

      5 years ago

      poor lil one did a man hit you and make ya cry???

      Reply
  24. Murphy NFLD

    5 years ago

    Can anyone confirm if its a splitter or forkball he throws, im seeing conflicting things on different sites. 2 completely different pitches, in my mind a fork is between a knuckle ball and a curve thrown in the 70’s, a splitter is a fastball that dives at the plate thrown in the mid to high 80’s. From the videos that i seen its a forkball thrown from 111-128 kph (69-80 mph) but fangraphs says splitter. MLBTR and fans please help me

    Reply
  25. jaysfansince1977

    5 years ago

    With this acquisition now official the 40 man is now full so upon the official signing of Shaw the deductions will need to start!

    Reply
    • its_happening

      5 years ago

      Valera is probably the first to go.

      Reply
  26. HalosHeavenJJ

    5 years ago

    You want ground balls in that division. If he can get them, this is a great deal.

    Reply
    • andrewf

      5 years ago

      He should be able to get a better than average amount as he was getting about 49% last year in Japan.

      Reply
  27. andrewf

    5 years ago

    How I’d have the Blue Jays rotation:
    Ryu
    Yamaguchi
    Roark
    Shoemaker
    Thornton
    Anderson
    Since Ryu has some previous health issues, Shoemaker has had injury problems, Thornton could use a bit more rest between starts and Yamaguchi used to be a reliever I think a six man rotation would be the safest course of action so they can throw more innings per start and give a bad bullpen a break.

    Reply
    • MoRivera 1999

      5 years ago

      Me, I don’t think IP per start is about days of rest, it’s about pitching x through the order. Over 80% of pitchers cannot successfully pitch through the third time through the order. They should be shut down BEFORE they surrender those almost inevitable runs in the sixth.

      Reply
    • Finlander

      5 years ago

      Wondering when Pearson cracks the list.

      I like the Yamaguchi signing. Sinkerball, doesn’t get rattled, should be able to frustrate some of the AL East power hitters with some GDPs.

      Reply
  28. WideWorldofSports

    5 years ago

    Just signed a 10 year/144000 contract with my landlord!

    Reply
  29. dynamite drop in monty

    5 years ago

    I’ll take the wizard!

    Reply
  30. madmanTX

    5 years ago

    I remember that game, Yamaguchi.After it hatches, you have to keep feeding it or it turns on you.

    Reply
  31. Phiilies2020

    5 years ago

    I’m a Phillies fan obviously, but as fan of the game I’m really happy to see that more teams are spending money to try and improve their club. The White Sox, Angels, Rangers, Reds and Blue Jays have all been active this off-season and even the Marlins and Tigers have made progress towards putting a more competitive product on the field. If you visit this site, you love the game like I do and this is a good sign for Major League Baseball. That being said, the fan bases of the Twins and Indians should definitely be dissapointed. They are both in a division that is ripe for the pickings and have solid rosters 1-25. Oakland too. It’s crazy to me that the Twins havent added a TOR starter and that the Indians are basically trying to punt on the season when they still have 2 or 3 years left of their window. Owners like the Pirates should be ashamed of themselves for doing what their doing every year to their fans. If I were a Pirates fan, I’d have no idea who’s jersey to buy. If you buy a Josh Bell jersey, enjoy it this season because it’s most likely his last. I got a Kingery jersey for Christmas and I know I’m going to get at least 6 or 7 years out of it. Anyway, I like this add for the Blue Jays. He could very well be a legitimate #4 or a solid #5. If nothing else, his profile suggests he’d at least be a valuable swingman.

    Happy New Year baseball fans!

    2
    Reply
  32. loafrgoffr

    5 years ago

    Jesus, I can’t believe the Angels didn’t sign this guy. Solid results in Japan and they need pitching just as much as the Blue Jays if not more. What a pittance of a salary. Eppler is really screwing it up. You gotta figure too all things being equal a Japanese player would prefer a west coast team given the proximity to their homeland. Pathetic.

    Reply
  33. bigbadjohnny

    5 years ago

    Cubs have real money issues if they could not sign this guy at this low price !

    Reply
  34. CaptainHooks

    5 years ago

    In my humble opinion, Toronto has the BEST Oriental restaurants in North America. But then, I haven’t been to Toronto in 25 years..

    Reply
    • its_happening

      5 years ago

      The outskirts of Toronto are even better. Especially north of Toronto.

      Reply
  35. jimmertee

    5 years ago

    Yamaguchi is a good bullpen piece. That fastball is going to get hammered second time through the batting order as a starter.

    Reply
  36. Joeypower

    5 years ago

    He isn’t throwing fastballs only he’s pitching and that includes a variety of pitches.

    Reply

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