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

[Magnetic Curses]

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.

 

why do people assume that strikeouts are related negatively to OBP? if anything people with higher strikeout totals are more likely to have a high OBP as they generally see more pitches.

 

players that have high walk totals and low strikeout totals are mostly called hall-of-famers, with a few exceptions.

[cubweiser03]

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.

 

#'s in Japan League:

Ichuiro-Awesome BB/K ratio coupled with high average.

Matsui-Awesome BB/K ratio couple with good average and solid power.

Iguchi-Last 2 years good BB/K ratio

Johjima-Last 2 years great BB/K ratio, the others were still pretty good.

 

Kaz-Last 2 years awful BB/K ratio, the other previous years were average.

Iwamura-Awful BB/K ratio. He's only batting around .300 in Japan and with his awful BB/K ratio its not likely he will be putting up similar numbers like the other guys above because he cant control the strike zone. He has age on his side but he's definelty a risk.

[cubs121]

i dont know why, but... i seriously like watching talented japanese player play baseball...

[ManCrushOnNomar]

i dont know why, but... i seriously like watching talented japanese player play baseball...

Bad Engrish on purpose?

[cubs121]

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.

 

#'s in Japan League:

Ichuiro-Awesome BB/K ratio coupled with high average.

Matsui-Awesome BB/K ratio couple with good average and solid power.

Iguchi-Last 2 years good BB/K ratio

Johjima-Last 2 years great BB/K ratio, the others were still pretty good.

 

Kaz-Last 2 years awful BB/K ratio, the other previous years were average.

Iwamura-Awful BB/K ratio. He's only batting around .300 in Japan and with his awful BB/K ratio its not likely he will be putting up similar numbers like the other guys above because he cant control the strike zone. He has age on his side but he's definelty a risk.

can i please say one more name? ..... So Taguchi... well maybe hes not a big time player and hes not a everyday guy.. but he plays when you need him too.

[cubweiser03]

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.

 

#'s in Japan League:

Ichuiro-Awesome BB/K ratio coupled with high average.

Matsui-Awesome BB/K ratio couple with good average and solid power.

Iguchi-Last 2 years good BB/K ratio

Johjima-Last 2 years great BB/K ratio, the others were still pretty good.

 

Kaz-Last 2 years awful BB/K ratio, the other previous years were average.

Iwamura-Awful BB/K ratio. He's only batting around .300 in Japan and with his awful BB/K ratio its not likely he will be putting up similar numbers like the other guys above because he cant control the strike zone. He has age on his side but he's definelty a risk.

can i please say one more name? ..... So Taguchi... well maybe hes not a big time player and hes not a everyday guy.. but he plays when you need him too.

 

If Iwamura will play for So Taguchi money sign me up. :)

[Laura]

From a few days ago.

 

Sign On San Diego[/url]"] Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday the club forwarded a bid for the negotiating rights to Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura, viewing the versatile 27-year-old as a candidate for second base, an outfield spot or a super-utility job.

 

The Padres will find out next week if they outbid others from a group believed to include the Devil Rays, Red Sox and Phillies. San Diego's bid is larger than the $300,000 bid that won the rights to pitcher Akinori Otsuka in December 2003. ....

 

Iwamura also has played center field and second base and reportedly is willing to play any position.

 

San Diego and Cleveland have confirmed they've bid. TB, Boston and Philly are listed as possibilities, though earlier in the thread there were quotes indicating Philadelphia was backing out of bidding.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

How much larger than $300K? Was it 350 or 2.5M?

[1908]

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.

 

#'s in Japan League:

Ichuiro-Awesome BB/K ratio coupled with high average.

Matsui-Awesome BB/K ratio couple with good average and solid power.

Iguchi-Last 2 years good BB/K ratio

Johjima-Last 2 years great BB/K ratio, the others were still pretty good.

 

Kaz-Last 2 years awful BB/K ratio, the other previous years were average.

Iwamura-Awful BB/K ratio. He's only batting around .300 in Japan and with his awful BB/K ratio its not likely he will be putting up similar numbers like the other guys above because he cant control the strike zone. He has age on his side but he's definelty a risk.

I think injuries played a much, much larger role in Kazuo's struggles than a poor BB:K ratio. That said, Iwamura's BB:AB is solid, much better than Kazuo's was in Japan. And his past three years in Japan are right in line with Iguchi's -- .310/.387/.561 to .314/.389/.520.

[snoodmonger]

is there any reason to think we even bid on him?

[1908]

I'm not aware of any -- other than previous reports suggesting the Cubs were looking to become active in Asia this offseason.

[cubweiser03]

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.

 

#'s in Japan League:

Ichuiro-Awesome BB/K ratio coupled with high average.

Matsui-Awesome BB/K ratio couple with good average and solid power.

Iguchi-Last 2 years good BB/K ratio

Johjima-Last 2 years great BB/K ratio, the others were still pretty good.

 

Kaz-Last 2 years awful BB/K ratio, the other previous years were average.

Iwamura-Awful BB/K ratio. He's only batting around .300 in Japan and with his awful BB/K ratio its not likely he will be putting up similar numbers like the other guys above because he cant control the strike zone. He has age on his side but he's definelty a risk.

I think injuries played a much, much larger role in Kazuo's struggles than a poor BB:K ratio. That said, Iwamura's BB:AB is solid, much better than Kazuo's was in Japan. And his past three years in Japan are right in line with Iguchi's -- .310/.387/.561 to .314/.389/.520.

 

Iwamura's BB:AB are impressive and are encouraging that he will be productive in MLB. I dont want to come off as Mr. BB/K ratio man either. Juan Pierre has a great BB/K ratio but he doesnt walk enough so there should be balance between these 2 stats. He has in his favor an impressive BB:AB ratio, but a unimpressive BB/K ratio thus a pink flag should go up.

 

If he turns out to what Kaz is now or Iguchi i wouldnt be surprised. I just dont think he's worth Kaz Matsui money. Ive heard rumors of posting fees of $5M dollars for him. Kaz got a contract of 3/20 and that was nuts.

 

Kaz just signed a 1 year deal with the Rockies for $1.5 million base salary with $950,000 available in performance incentives.

 

Iwamura is not worth anymore per year than Kaz is now. IF the Cubs got him for a deal like that i wouldn be jumping up and down but i wouldnt be punching holes in my walls either.

[1908]

Iwamura's BB:AB are impressive and are encouraging that he will be productive in MLB. I dont want to come off as Mr. BB/K ratio man either. Juan Pierre has a great BB/K ratio but he doesnt walk enough so there should be balance between these 2 stats. He has in his favor an impressive BB:AB ratio, but a unimpressive BB/K ratio thus a pink flag should go up.

I understand your position. I put more weight on BB:AB than BB:K, though. As long as he's getting on base at a good rate, I'm not too worried how he's making his outs.

 

If he turns out to what Kaz is now or Iguchi i wouldnt be surprised. I just dont think he's worth Kaz Matsui money. Ive heard rumors of posting fees of $5M dollars for him. Kaz got a contract of 3/20 and that was nuts.

 

Kaz just signed a 1 year deal with the Rockies for $1.5 million base salary with $950,000 available in performance incentives.

 

Iwamura is not worth anymore per year than Kaz is now. IF the Cubs got him for a deal like that i wouldn be jumping up and down but i wouldnt be punching holes in my walls either.

I think Ighuci's .281/.352/.422 is a lot closer to what Iwamura will do his first season than Kazuo's .267/.310/.379. I haven't read anything that suggests his posting fee will be as high as $5M, and I think he'd jump at a 3-year, $8M-$9M initial contract. In any event, he's not going to be a Cub most likely.

[E.J.]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer[/url]"] It appears Tampa Bay has won the bidding right for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Devil Rays reportedly outbid the Indians, San Diego and Boston for the left-handed hitter. The Yakult Swallows, Iwamura's club, are expected to announce the winning bid Wednesday or Thursday.

[TruffleShuffle]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer[/url]"] It appears Tampa Bay has won the bidding right for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Devil Rays reportedly outbid the Indians, San Diego and Boston for the left-handed hitter. The Yakult Swallows, Iwamura's club, are expected to announce the winning bid Wednesday or Thursday.

 

never thought I would read that

[CP_414]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer[/url]"] It appears Tampa Bay has won the bidding right for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Devil Rays reportedly outbid the Indians, San Diego and Boston for the left-handed hitter. The Yakult Swallows, Iwamura's club, are expected to announce the winning bid Wednesday or Thursday.

 

never thought I would read that

 

Thats awesome. Good for the Rays if true.

[Iceblink]

Way too forward-thinking for Hendry. He would rather go with someone like DeRosa.

 

Pick me some lottery numbers, too.

[questionmarkgrace]

I defintely think that the d-rays will make a trade now. Hopefully it will be Rocco Baldelli to us for marshall, and a couple others. Edited November 15, 2006 by questionmarkgrace

[UK1679666180]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer[/url]"] It appears Tampa Bay has won the bidding right for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Devil Rays reportedly outbid the Indians, San Diego and Boston for the left-handed hitter. The Yakult Swallows, Iwamura's club, are expected to announce the winning bid Wednesday or Thursday.

 

:)

 

I hope he starts at 2B.

[YearofDaCubs]

I'm not aware of any -- other than previous reports suggesting the Cubs were looking to become active in Asia this offseason.

Hendry has stated he was looking at the international market this year.

[snoodmonger]

I'm not aware of any -- other than previous reports suggesting the Cubs were looking to become active in Asia this offseason.

Hendry has stated he was looking at the international market this year.

 

Yeah, but specific reports showed interest in pitchers, not Iwamura.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I'm pretty sure Boston is going to put in a 32m bid for this guy.

[rawaction]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer[/url]"] It appears Tampa Bay has won the bidding right for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Devil Rays reportedly outbid the Indians, San Diego and Boston for the left-handed hitter. The Yakult Swallows, Iwamura's club, are expected to announce the winning bid Wednesday or Thursday.

 

:)

 

I hope he starts at 2B.

 

Me too. Not a Cantu fan at all.

[UK1679666180]

Plus, with Upton/Longoria likely playing 3B in the long-term it gives TB very good options in the IF with an already strong OF and DH. They need time to reach their potential offensively.

[VanceJergins]

Ugh....I'm trying to stay positive and fine the bright side of the Derosa signing....but we could have had Iwamura for what we paid for Derosa. I really hope Hendry has something bigger in mind with this cause right now that just seems kind of ridiculous.