Iwamura: D-Rays win w/ $4.5M bid per ESPN

[1908]

What about Iwamura for CF?

He's played 15 games total in the outfield. I doubt he's an everyday solution in CF. Fukudome or bust, Vance.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What about Iwamura for CF?

He's played 15 games total in the outfield. I doubt he's an everyday solution in CF. Fukudome or bust, Vance.

 

I really wish Fukudome would get posted. Furthermore, if Fukudome is ever a Cub, that is one jersey I'm sure to own.

[CubinNY]

Iwamura would be fantastic at second base. No reason not to pursue him, even more so with the increased scouting late this summer.

 

I also like the idea that someone else had that bidding on two players is better than bidding on one. I think it may be important to have another guy that speaks the language on the club.

[E.J.]

Some good info on Iwamura:

 

ESPN[/url]"]Iwamura has hit 106 home runs in his past three seasons for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Although a winner of five Gold Glove Awards, Iwamura quickly admits his first was a fluke: He won it in 2000 because he was the only full-time third baseman in the six-team Central League. Yet, the honor boosted his confidence, and the error-prone youngster rapidly went from prospect to standout.

 

As outgoing as any Japanese player, Iwamura has spent most of his time on the side of the dugout where the foreign sluggers sit, both because of his power and his desire to soak up as much English as possible.

 

"He hits like one of us, so he belongs over here," said outfielder Alex Ramirez, who played three seasons with the Indians and the Pirates before becoming a fixture at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium. "Actually, he's got more power. So he can sit where he wants."

 

Iwamura is an aggressive fielder and will need to make a number of adjustments. He plays most of his games on artificial turf and will need to find his game on grass.

 

The same goes for his batting. A free swinger, Iwamura's thirst for power began three seasons ago when he topped the league with 44 homers and was easily the circuit's best player, but he also led the league with a career-high 173 strikeouts in 533 at-bats. This year, his 70 walks amounted to more than half his strikeout total (128) for the first time in his career. His RBI numbers plunged to 77 from over 100 in each of his previous two seasons, largely because the Swallows' No. 2 hitter had a 39-homer season.

 

Given his desire and athleticism, the well-muscled Iwamura could hit 20 homers and bat .270 in his debut season with some development -- and once he learns the pitchers and refines his game.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to this story, the bidding will close on Akinori Iwamura on Friday.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Some good info on Iwamura:

 

ESPN[/url]"]Iwamura has hit 106 home runs in his past three seasons for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Although a winner of five Gold Glove Awards, Iwamura quickly admits his first was a fluke: He won it in 2000 because he was the only full-time third baseman in the six-team Central League. Yet, the honor boosted his confidence, and the error-prone youngster rapidly went from prospect to standout.

 

As outgoing as any Japanese player, Iwamura has spent most of his time on the side of the dugout where the foreign sluggers sit, both because of his power and his desire to soak up as much English as possible.

 

"He hits like one of us, so he belongs over here," said outfielder Alex Ramirez, who played three seasons with the Indians and the Pirates before becoming a fixture at Tokyo's Jingu Stadium. "Actually, he's got more power. So he can sit where he wants."

 

Iwamura is an aggressive fielder and will need to make a number of adjustments. He plays most of his games on artificial turf and will need to find his game on grass.

 

The same goes for his batting. A free swinger, Iwamura's thirst for power began three seasons ago when he topped the league with 44 homers and was easily the circuit's best player, but he also led the league with a career-high 173 strikeouts in 533 at-bats. This year, his 70 walks amounted to more than half his strikeout total (128) for the first time in his career. His RBI numbers plunged to 77 from over 100 in each of his previous two seasons, largely because the Swallows' No. 2 hitter had a 39-homer season.

 

Given his desire and athleticism, the well-muscled Iwamura could hit 20 homers and bat .270 in his debut season with some development -- and once he learns the pitchers and refines his game.

 

I want.

[Shilzzz]

if we don't pay ramirez and have this guy at third it's going to be a long long year.

 

if we pay ramirez and have this guy at second it will look very very nice.

[Outshined_One]

if we don't pay ramirez and have this guy at third it's going to be a long long year.

 

if we pay ramirez and have this guy at second it will look very very nice.

 

I dig his competitive attitude and his openness, considering how much time he spent with the foreign players. If the guy won't have much trouble adjusting to American culture, that'd be one less thing for a team to worry about.

 

We'll see what happens. I don't know enough about him in terms of his athletic ability, so whether or not he can play 2B or CF is a concern to me.

[b_wiggy_66]

Just a reminder, bidding for Iwamura ends today at 4pm CST. I think he would be a cheap 2B alternative or option even if A-ram leaves. With the winning bid expected to be under $5 mill. why not bid on him. He has been compared to Matsui, and that line drive double type hitting would be perfect fit at the bottom of the order.

[Vinestal]

Did anyone ever hear if the Cubs put in a bid for Iwamura? I think he could turn out to be a pretty good option at 2nd, or even just a really good utility player.

[Hosak8]

Some good info on Iwamura:

 

ESPN[/url]"]Iwamura has hit 106 home runs in his past three seasons for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Although a winner of five Gold Glove Awards, Iwamura quickly admits his first was a fluke: He won it in 2000 because he was the only full-time third baseman in the six-team Central League. Yet, the honor boosted his confidence, and the error-prone youngster rapidly went from prospect to standout.

 

Iwamura is an aggressive fielder and will need to make a number of adjustments. He plays most of his games on artificial turf and will need to find his game on grass.

 

The same goes for his batting. A free swinger, Iwamura's thirst for power began three seasons ago when he topped the league with 44 homers and was easily the circuit's best player, but he also led the league with a career-high 173 strikeouts in 533 at-bats. This year, his 70 walks amounted to more than half his strikeout total (128) for the first time in his career. His RBI numbers plunged to 77 from over 100 in each of his previous two seasons, largely because the Swallows' No. 2 hitter had a 39-homer season.

 

Given his desire and athleticism, the well-muscled Iwamura could hit 20 homers and bat .270 in his debut season with some development -- and once he learns the pitchers and refines his game.

 

I want.

 

I'm not so sure I do.

[mg420]

Did anyone ever hear if the Cubs put in a bid for Iwamura? I think he could turn out to be a pretty good option at 2nd, or even just a really good utility player.

 

i dont think the cubs or anyone else will be paying the bidding fee plus his contract for a utility player.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Did anyone ever hear if the Cubs put in a bid for Iwamura? I think he could turn out to be a pretty good option at 2nd, or even just a really good utility player.

 

i dont think the cubs or anyone else will be paying the bidding fee plus his contract for a utility player.

 

Utility player? Check again.

[Laura]

Cleveland and San Diego submitted bids. Not sure who else might have.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Power numbers rarely translate from Japan to MLB. If he can't hit for average and draw a ton of walks, we probably don't need him. There are plenty of 2B options on the FA market as it is (not to mention Theriot and Cedeno). I doubt we went after Iwamura, but the bids were submitted before the ARam deal was finalized, so who knows?

[Vinestal]

Did anyone ever hear if the Cubs put in a bid for Iwamura? I think he could turn out to be a pretty good option at 2nd, or even just a really good utility player.

 

i dont think the cubs or anyone else will be paying the bidding fee plus his contract for a utility player.

 

Utility player? Check again.

 

There are other Japanese players that put up good numbers in Japan only to come over here and become utility players. Plenty of players in AAA that put up great numbers only to become utility players in the majors. His posting fee is not going to be all that high. He may be signed with the intention to start him and then be horrible in spring training and wind up being a utility guy. The more I look at him though the more I dont think he'd be the type of guy Id want in our lineup, rather have someone with a better OBP that doesnt strike out so much. I agree with Rich. Who knows though he could turn out to be a pretty solid 2nd baseman, I think there will be a long period of adjustment for him though.

[1908]

There are other Japanese players that put up good numbers in Japan only to come over here and become utility players.

Taguchi was a career .277/.333/.387 hitter in Japan -- Shinjo, .254/.305/.432. Those numbers are far from good. What other players from Japan are you talking about?

[VanceJergins]

Power numbers rarely translate from Japan to MLB. If he can't hit for average and draw a ton of walks, we probably don't need him. There are plenty of 2B options on the FA market as it is (not to mention Theriot and Cedeno). I doubt we went after Iwamura, but the bids were submitted before the ARam deal was finalized, so who knows?

 

He's hit over .300 with an OBP near .400 the past 3 seasons. If he can be decent defensively, I would love him for 2B or CF.

 

EDIT: the past 3 seasons his AVG with RiSP are .299, .321, .250. With the dip in clutch juice this past season I dont know if we should risk it. He was a real gamer in 05, but apparently he tweaked his clutch bone this year and I dont know how serious that is. All things considered, he might not be consistantly griddy enough.

[RyCubsFan]

There are other Japanese players that put up good numbers in Japan only to come over here and become utility players.

Taguchi was a career .277/.333/.387 hitter in Japan -- Shinjo, .254/.305/.432. Those numbers are far from good. What other players from Japan are you talking about?

 

What about Kaz Matsui?

[Guest]

There are other Japanese players that put up good numbers in Japan only to come over here and become utility players.

Taguchi was a career .277/.333/.387 hitter in Japan -- Shinjo, .254/.305/.432. Those numbers are far from good. What other players from Japan are you talking about?

 

What about Kaz Matsui?

Kaz was constantly hurt when he got here.

[RyCubsFan]

There are other Japanese players that put up good numbers in Japan only to come over here and become utility players.

Taguchi was a career .277/.333/.387 hitter in Japan -- Shinjo, .254/.305/.432. Those numbers are far from good. What other players from Japan are you talking about?

 

What about Kaz Matsui?

Kaz was constantly hurt when he got here.

 

Do injuries completely discount the nearly 1,000 AB he has had?

In those at bats, he has shown very little power.

 

While Japan surely is higher caliber than Triple A, it is not the major leagues. After all, Julio Zuleta put up over 40 homers in Japan. Like some players knock around Triple A and also succeed in the Majors, so too will some players from Japan (i.e. Ichiro, Hideki, and even Cecil Fielder). But also like some do well in Triple A, but fail in the majors, the same will be true from Japan.

 

For this reason, it's a risk to sign a Japanese player (just as it is to play a young player). I'm more comfortable bidding on Japanese position players that show good plate discipline and the ability to make contact, than those that do not. While Iwamura could ultimately be very successful here, his k's are a red flag for me. 173k's in Japan against pitchers generally inferior to pitchers here is a cause for concern. Signing him would be a risk. (Though I do note his k numbers have decreased over the last 2 yrs.)

 

...then again, playing Theriot or EPatt would be a risk as well...or signing the oft injurred Durham...or trading for the maybe-on-the-decline Giles or Vidro. All risks. I guess that's why Hendry gets paid the big bucks.

Edited November 13, 2006 by RyCubsFan

[1908]

There are other Japanese players that put up good numbers in Japan only to come over here and become utility players.

Taguchi was a career .277/.333/.387 hitter in Japan -- Shinjo, .254/.305/.432. Those numbers are far from good. What other players from Japan are you talking about?

What about Kaz Matsui?

What about Ichiro, Hideki Matsui, Iguchi and Johjima? Outside of Kazuo, all Japanese hitters that produced at -- or above -- Iwamura's level in Japan have had success in MLB.

[Milli1306]

Kaz wasn't too bad with Colorado last year

[RyCubsFan]

There are other Japanese players that put up good numbers in Japan only to come over here and become utility players.

Taguchi was a career .277/.333/.387 hitter in Japan -- Shinjo, .254/.305/.432. Those numbers are far from good. What other players from Japan are you talking about?

What about Kaz Matsui?

What about Ichiro, Hideki Matsui, Iguchi and Johjima? Outside of Kazuo, all Japanese hitters that produced at -- or above -- Iwamura's level in Japan have had success in MLB.

 

Oh, please don't get me wrong....I'm not making the point that Japanese players aren't often successful here. I would LOVE for the Cubs to become a player in the Japanese market.

 

We do however want to make sure we bid on the guys who are most likely to have success here. I was all for the Cubs bidding on Ichiro and Godzilla, as I was for them bidding on Kazuo. Kaz's struggles have given me some pause, however, as to bidding on players. It takes careful scouting and statistical analysis to make the best determination of whether a player will be successful or not.

[1908]

We do however want to make sure we bid on the guys who are most likely to have success here.

Iwamura's production over his last three years in Japan is a little better than Iguchi's. I think he's very likely to succeed in MLB -- especially for the amount of the rumored bids I've seen.