By Tim Dierkes | at
The Yomiuri Giants signed reliever Masahide Kobayashi, according to Kyodo News. The 35-year-old righty was released by the Indians in July.
I was in favor of Kobayashi's two-year, $6.25MM deal in November of 2007. However, he posted a 5.10 ERA with plenty of hits and home runs over his 65.3 inning MLB career.
By Mike Axisa | at
Let's start the evening off by rounding up a few spare links…
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According to Japan's Sponichi, via NPB Tracker, Masahide Kobayashi was granted his release from the Indians on Sunday afternoon. The 35-year-old right-hander was demoted to Triple-A in mid-May and there were rumors at the time that his release might be imminent. Here's what Tim said back then:
The Indians signed Kobayashi to a two-year, $6.25MM deal in November of 2007. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but he posted a 5.10 ERA and 5.4 K/9 in 65.3 innings in his Tribe career.
And here's what Kobayashi shared with the media Sunday: “Nothing is decided at the moment and I am having my agent look for a team for me (in the United States). In the meantime I will just keep myself ready to pitch.” It sounds like he's aiming to sign on with another MLB club. Here's our impressively lengthy Masa Kobayashi archive.
By Tim Dierkes | at
10:19am: Castrovince says Kobayashi has accepted an assignment to Triple-A Columbus. Reliever Tony Sipp was also optioned to Columbus. The Indians also purchased the contract of reliever Greg Aquino who will join the ballclub today. To make room for Aquino, Scott Lewis was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
SATURDAY, 8:08pm: According to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince, Indians reliever Masahide Kobayashi will be removed from the 40-man roster tomorrow to make room for David Huff. Castrovince says it's unclear how this will be done – Kobayashi could be optioned to Triple A if he consents. He wants to stay here rather than go back to Japan.
The Indians signed Kobayashi to a two-year, $6.25MM deal in November of 2007. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but he posted a 5.10 ERA and 5.4 K/9 in 65.3 innings in his Tribe career.
By Tim Dierkes | at
THURSDAY: 10:45am: Waiting For Next Year writes that the Indians will have to make another move before next Saturday, when Sowers was scheduled to start. Pitchers David Huff and Zach Jackson are the leading candidates for a call-up. "When this decision is made," writes WFNY, "expect the Masa Kobayashi experience to come to an end."
9:38am: According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians announced the signing of Vizcaino to a Major League deal today. Instead of releasing Masahide Kobayashi, the club demoted Jeremy Sowers.
WEDNESDAY: Waiting with bated breath to see what happens with free agent reliever Luis Vizcaino? You'll have to wait a little longer. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Vizcaino threw for the Indians a third time yesterday, but the team says they have not signed him. Vizcaino, however, insists he'll be on the club when they leave for Tampa Bay today (MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince agrees).
By Tim Dierkes | at
Links for Monday…
By Tim Dierkes | at
UPDATE: The deal is done – Kobayashi gets $6MM guaranteed over 2008-09 and has a $3.25MM club option for 2010. This seems like a fine Indians-esque bargain.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Indians are close to signing Japanese reliever Masahide Kobayashi. The 33 year-old is taking his physical today. The Braves and Mariners were also known to have interest in him. It’s been said that Kobayashi would prefer to close but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Here’s what Bob Bavasi of JapanBall told me about Kobayashi:
This closer was the number one draft pick by the Chiba Lotte Marines in 1999. He may be the best available reliever on the free agent market, though he has not made the sort of overtures about wanting to leave Japan as the other two. During the recent playoffs in Japan, his manager, Bobby Valentine, noted that Kobayashi keeps "looking better every time out.” True enough, and a reason I like him.
And here’s what Aaron Shinsano and Jackson Broder of East Windup Chronicle said about him:
Lost seven games and ERA rose nearly a point in 2007, but that shouldn’t deter teams from pursuing this 200+ save closer for Chiba Lotte. Throws from the stretch, and has that deceptive delivery that scouts seem to like these days. Has a great forkball that often tails in toward the batter. Not as good as Iwase or Koji Uehara, but might just be an upgrade over, say, The Farns. Tak adds that he was dropped to the "minors" at the end of the season and many feel his velocity and control are slipping.
OK, Tim here again. Just wanted to add that Rosenthal also reiterated that the Royals are close on Yasuhiko Yabuta. Mark Gonzales had previously said five teams were still in the running for him.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Picking up some rumors and tidbits that haven’t been otherwise posted during this busy day…
By Tim Dierkes | at
Here’s a link chock full of rumors involving Japanese ballplayers who might come over to MLB. It’s also loaded with links most of you will not be able to read.
Special thanks to Tak Iwanaga for translating.
By Tim Dierkes | at
More random rumors. You know you love it.
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