Hiroki Kuroda, Kazumi Saito??

[A New Era]

I know this thread had sort of died off, but I was bored and looked up Saito on You Tube. After watching the video I noticed a few things. First off he has a very, very good sinker. This seems to be his favortie pitch (Chien-Ming Wang anyone?). He also has a good breaking ball he doesn't throw it that often though. If you watch the whole video he also looks like Zambrano out there on the mound, yelling and pumping his fists. He really looks into the game. If he can be had as a cheap alternative I think he would make a good 4-5 man.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFZSsosZek8

 

He's going to have to clean up that delivery. There are enough pauses in it to get him nailed with balk calls.

 

Still, he could be a nice pickup.

 

Can you get called with a balk when there are no men on base? I noticed he just trows it without even a little windup when there are men on base. Saito looks like he'd be a nice cheaper option to Matsuzaka. I'd pick him us as a #4.

[Outshined_One]

Can you get called with a balk when there are no men on base? I noticed he just trows it without even a little windup when there are men on base. Saito looks like he'd be a nice cheaper option to Matsuzaka. I'd pick him us as a #4.

 

Otsuka has a move that MLB had to make a ruling on, where he slams the ball in his glove prior to delivery. They decided he could do it without men on base, but with men on, it was a balk.

 

He could also have been pitching out of the stretch with men on. That delivery would kill him on steal attempts, imo.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

From the windup his stops aren't exaggerated enough that it should cause him tremendous difficulty to be more fluid. He is slow from the stretch, but that's less of a concern and something that could be worked on as well.

[CuseCubFan69]

From the windup his stops aren't exaggerated enough that it should cause him tremendous difficulty to be more fluid. He is slow from the stretch, but that's less of a concern and something that could be worked on as well.

 

I would think that would be a problem in Japan as well.

[1908]

Gary Garland[/url]"]For the first time this season, free agent ace Hiroki Kuroda has indicated that he is looking at the possibility of going to MLB. The Cubs recently decided to go after him when he becomes available in November if they either opt to not bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka or lose him to another team. Seattle, Detroit and San Diego are also interested, though whether they pull the trigger is another question entirely, especially since Hanshin and Yomiuri will also attempt to lure him to their clubs. Kuroda isn't taking part in the Carp's fall camp.

[Mushimus]

Gary Garland[/url]"]For the first time this season, free agent ace Hiroki Kuroda has indicated that he is looking at the possibility of going to MLB. The Cubs recently decided to go after him when he becomes available in November if they either opt to not bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka or lose him to another team. Seattle, Detroit and San Diego are also interested, though whether they pull the trigger is another question entirely, especially since Hanshin and Yomiuri will also attempt to lure him to their clubs. Kuroda isn't taking part in the Carp's fall camp.

 

 

Nice :o

[Soriano12]

Does anyone else have a craving for sushi at the moment?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Doesn't that quote imply that Daisuke will be posted pretty early in the offseason?

[1908]

Doesn't that article imply that Daisuke will be posted pretty early in the offseason?

It does. I don't see why the Lions will wait if they've already made up their minds.

[nilodnayr]

Gary Garland[/url]"]For the first time this season, free agent ace Hiroki Kuroda has indicated that he is looking at the possibility of going to MLB. The Cubs recently decided to go after him when he becomes available in November if they either opt to not bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka or lose him to another team. Seattle, Detroit and San Diego are also interested, though whether they pull the trigger is another question entirely, especially since Hanshin and Yomiuri will also attempt to lure him to their clubs. Kuroda isn't taking part in the Carp's fall camp.

 

 

Nice :o

 

This makes me think that the cubs are not going to go full throttle for Matsuzaka. I think they see Kuroda as the better bet for the money. Typical cubs, being able to acquire the player that will get them over the top, but instead getting the guy that is good but not good enough. At least given my understanding of the FA pitching market which is....

 

Matsuzaka

 

 

Zito

Schmidt

 

 

Kuroda

 

We need one of the top 3 to compliment Z, but Hendry will probably go after 4.

[Sammy Sofa]

Gary Garland[/url]"]For the first time this season, free agent ace Hiroki Kuroda has indicated that he is looking at the possibility of going to MLB. The Cubs recently decided to go after him when he becomes available in November if they either opt to not bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka or lose him to another team. Seattle, Detroit and San Diego are also interested, though whether they pull the trigger is another question entirely, especially since Hanshin and Yomiuri will also attempt to lure him to their clubs. Kuroda isn't taking part in the Carp's fall camp.

 

 

Nice :o

 

This makes me think that the cubs are not going to go full throttle for Matsuzaka. I think they see Kuroda as the better bet for the money. Typical cubs, being able to acquire the player that will get them over the top, but instead getting the guy that is good but not good enough. At least given my understanding of the FA pitching market which is....

 

Matsuzaka

 

 

Zito

Schmidt

 

 

Kuroda

 

We need one of the top 3 to compliment Z, but Hendry will probably go after 4.

 

Given what's been floating around, I think they target 3 and 4 if not 1. I don't think Zito is even in the picture.

[1908]

Gary Garland[/url]"]Seibu Holdings president Takashi Goto met with manager Tsutomu Itoh Monday and told Itoh that they will use the money that they get from the posting of Daisuke Matsuzaka to obatin Hiroshima free agent righthander Hiroki Kuroda.

Would be kinda funny if it happened.