Re: Would they ever do a player exchange program with Japan?

[Little Slide Rooter]

It seems that Japan seems to love 1 dimensional american sluggers, Matt Murton, Larry Bigbie, Micah Hoffpauir, Randall Simon, and Tuffy Rhodes to name a few. In turn, we seem to have an intrigue in their young players. Would they ever consider trading players with Japan? AAA teams across the league are filled with these guys, and maybe they could start seeing if theyd be willing to make trades with Japan. Obviously, the players on both sides would need to consent to it, but it would be a great opportunity for a career minor leaguer. Obviously, we arent going to get guys like Ichiro, Fukudome, Daisuke or Darvish for the likes of Brad Snyder or Brian LaHair, but Japanese teams could be interested enough in these guys to send over some young players who want the chance to play in the US.

[davearm2]

The Japanese leagues want/need to keep all of their own young players, PLUS add as many good American guys as they can get. The last thing they want is for homegrown guys with ML talent leaving the country. There was an interview with Bobby Valentine on this very topic awhile ago. The gist was, the exodus of top players to the US is really hurting the Japanese leagues.

[fromthestretch]

The Japanese leagues want/need to keep all of their own young players, PLUS add as many good American guys as they can get. The last thing they want is for homegrown guys with ML talent leaving the country. There was an interview with Bobby Valentine on this very topic awhile ago. The gist was, the exodus of top players to the US is really hurting the Japanese leagues.

 

Actually, they have limits on how many "foreign" players are allowed on a roster.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Nippon_Professional_Baseball_roster_rules

[SouthSideRyan]

WSR demands that LaHair gets his shot somewhere.

[Little Slide Rooter]

WSR demands that LaHair gets his shot somewhere.

He just fits the mold of one of those guys who go to Japan and hit a million home runs.

[Sammy Sofa]

And more importantly wins your heart with a million love points.

[Little Slide Rooter]

And more importantly wins your heart with a million love points.

 

But you cant deny that when these guys first come up, they give us a great month or 2 before pitchers learn how insanely full of holes their swings are.

[Sammy Sofa]

So what?

[TruffleShuffle]

And more importantly wins your heart with a million love points.

 

But you cant deny that when these guys first come up, they give us a great month or 2 before pitchers learn how insanely full of holes their swings are.

 

Because hoffpauir did that? Lahair played 45 game with Seattle and ops'ed a robust .661.

[Little Slide Rooter]

And more importantly wins your heart with a million love points.

 

But you cant deny that when these guys first come up, they give us a great month or 2 before pitchers learn how insanely full of holes their swings are.

 

Because hoffpauir did that? Lahair played 45 game with Seattle and ops'ed a robust .661.

 

and Jake Fox. and Tyler Colvin.

 

When the deadline rolls around, and were 12 games out and we trade Carlos Pena for a few prospects, theres a good chance we'll be seeing a few months of Brian LaHair. Hes not going to fool anyone into not going after Fielder or Pujols, but it will be interesting to see what he does. More than likely, he'll hit a few home runs and strike out a bunch, but he'll have eanred the call up.

[Sammy Sofa]

And dumbass Cubs fans everywhere will think he's a future starter.

[Tarver]

It would help if you run the argument through your a head a few times before you start a new topic.

[Little Slide Rooter]

And [expletive] Cubs fans everywhere will think he's a future starter.

 

I like to think that Cubs fans wouldnt be fooled enough by any smoke screen a 30 year old career minor leaguer would put up to feel that hes a viable alternative to Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder. However, I do think that hed be able to give us similar offesnive production to what Penas given us so far with less walks.

[SouthSideRyan]

So you think he could OPS like 600.