The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have reached a deal with right-hander Tyler Chatwood, according to a Sports Hochi report (Japanese language link). Chatwood elected free agency after finishing the 2021 season on a minor league contract with the Giants.
After some up-and-down years with the Cubs, Chatwood seemed to be opening a new chapter in his career as a full-time relief pitcher when he signed a one-year, $3MM deal with the Blue Jays last winter. Chatwood got off to a good start with the Jays but battled some serious control issues as the year went on, leading Toronto to designate the righty for assignment and then release him in August. Chatwood caught on with the Giants on a minor league deal but only saw four innings of MLB action with San Francisco.
As a whole, Chatwood posted a 5.63 ERA over 32 innings in 2021, with a respectable 26.2% strikeout rate undermined by an ugly 14.5% walk rate. Command has been a problem for Chatwood during a large portion of his 10-year Major League career, reaching a nadir when he posted a 19.5% walk rate over 103 2/3 frames with the Cubs in 2018.
The move to Japan provides a fresh start for Chatwood as he enters his age-32 season, and it will be interesting to observe whether he works out of the Hawks’ bullpen, or if he might try to re-establish himself as a starting pitcher. At least trying to work as a starter might help raise his stock for MLB teams in the future, giving any interested clubs the option of using Chatwood as a starter, reliever, or long man.
Chatwood joins Freddy Galvis and Colin Rea as familiar big leaguers joining the Hawks this winter. Fukuoka is coming off a rare losing season after dominating Nippon Professional Baseball over the last decade — the Hawks won the Japan Series seven times between 2011-2020, including four straight titles from 2017-20.
Chatwood going halfway around the world to walk batters.
Lol x 1000000
BB x 1,000,000
Mr. Walkwide
Chatwood needs to find a league where the strike zone is twice as big.
A very good pitcher when his control is good, but unfortunately that is maybe 10% of his appearances.
At age 32, his MLB dreams might be over. I guess if he dominates, teams could look to bring him back next year but it would be for only one year and probably less money than he could make staying in Japan, coming off a great season for them.
There is always a GM, in every sport, that thinks they are smarter than everyone else, and will sign someone that improves in Japan.
And occasionally they will look like a fool… conversely; every so often they will look like the genius that they see themselves as. How much of a bonus IS it worth risking on that kid in the Dominican? That’s the game.
Chad is a year or so away from a slow pitch beer league.
From spin rate darling to Japan in just a few years.
Hope he enjoys his time there.
Galvis got his pension. Now time to make some real money as an overseas star
Galvis is actually close to a year short.
His service time says 9.02 on the link above. I thought pension was at 10 years?
Chatwood has had an interesting career. I was bummed when the Angels traded him at 21 after giving us 145 ING and keeping an ERA of 4.75. After looking at those numbers in the minors he must have an wicked out pitch. He has never been a strikeout guy while always walking to many. Lead the league 2018 with 95 walks in 24Gm/20Gs and only 109 innings pitched. That’s gotta be a record of some sort
I wasn’t bummed when they traded him.. He is a terrible pitcher, and going to Japan to try to add value just proves it
You thought after 1 season back in 2011 at 21 years old on a staff needing starters he was terrible?
I remember Chatwood in his rookie year with the Angels. He showed remarkable poise for a 21-year-old rookie. I was very impressed by him and wasn’t happy about shipping him for Chris Iannetta, even though there was a need for starting catching at the time.
As a Blue Jays fan, he was painful to watch last year. His stuff didn’t play up in a bullpen role and he was hot garbage. Hopefully, he will find success in Japan.
Sir Walksalot. Seems we were all thinking it when we clicked here haha.
ANYONE KNOW HOW TO SAY “SORRY” IN JAPANESE?
Chatwood might do well for Fukuoka as they’ve gotten excellent performance from their foreign players over the last decade. From Dennis Sarfate to Nick Martinez. Even Matt Moore was really good in 2020 for them.
Yeah I remember when people said he just needed to get out of Colorado. Guessing we were definitely wrong about that idea that he would be successful.
He was very successful for a month and a half! Sported a 0.50 ERA at one point I believe!
But what happened to his newfound succe-
*foreign substance crackdown* –> *inability to command the baseball*
oh…
Chatwood going to Japan, eh? Japan needs a batting practice pitcher I guess
Did Theo Epstein move to Japan? Great “depth” signing. lols