Japanese Prospects

[1908]

The News Tribune[/url]"]A source said Friday that the Mariners are close to signing Jojima to a two-year contract worth about $8 million with an option for a third season.

 

Both the agent and the mariners denied that report and said they aren't close to anything.

Cool, where did you hear that?

[1908]

Cool, where did you hear that?

Nevermind, found it in the Seattle Times.

 

There were reports the Mariners were close to signing Jojima to a two-year contract with an option for a third year, but Nero said, "That's not true. We haven't even gotten close to talking. We're still dating, and everyone wants us to get married."

 

...

 

"The Mariners have been awesome," Nero said on Friday after arriving in Seattle to join Jojima. "Billy [general manager Bill Bavasi] has been right on the money. When [Jojima] became a free agent on Tuesday, Bill was the first one on his doorstep to make sure Kenji knew he was a high priority for the Mariners."

 

Bavasi declined Friday to discuss the club's interest level in Jojima, who will hold a news conference Tuesday at Nero's offices in Chicago.

Sounds like there's still a lot of interest from both sides.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It appears Johjima will make his decision on Tuesday.

 

Link

 

The Mariners apparently have won the U.S. bidding for Kenji Johjima, the free-agent catcher from Japan.

 

However, while Johjima is thought to be close to an agreement with Seattle, the 29-year-old seven-time Gold Glover could still opt to remain with his Japanese team, the Fukuoka Soft-Bank Hawks.

 

In its bid to keep its stream of Japanese talent flowing, the Mariners recently bumped their offer on a contract of two years guaranteed, and a club option for a third season.

 

The Mariners are believed to have increased their most recent offer to about $6 million a year in a contract that could include incentives. Last week, they offered Johjima about $4 million a year for two years.

 

Johjima, who averaged .305 with 30 homers and 87 RBI the past five years, also drew interest from the New York Mets and San Diego Padres.

 

Fukuoka reportedly offered $10 million for one year.

 

[1908]

Yakult refuses to give Ishii MLB green light[/url]"]Yakult Swallows closer Hirotoshi Ishii wants to pitch in the major leagues but the team has refused to give him the green light to move to North America under the so-called posting system.

 

Ishii and club president Yoshikazu Tagiku failed to reach an agreement in their talks Thursday. Ishii insisted that Tagiku promised a year ago that the left-hander would be allowed to pursue a career in the majors from 2006.

 

But Tagiku asked Ishii to understand he cannot leave the team this offseason, with Atsuya Furuta serving as new player-manager next year.

 

Under the posting system, major league clubs present sealed bids to Japanese teams to acquire non-free agent players.

 

"I want the president to keep his word. He did promise me that he would let me go if I stayed injury-free and pitched well this year," Ishii said.

 

Ishii was 4-3 with 37 saves and a 1.95 ERA in 61 games in his ninth season with the Swallows. He struck out 91 batters in 73-2/3 innings.

[1908]

Seibu pitcher Mori given nod for major league switch[/url]"]The Seibu Lions have given the green light for right-hander Shinji Mori to make a switch to the major leagues via the posting system, the Pacific League club said Friday.

 

Seibu completed the necessary procedures to put Mori up for auction through the system, in which major league teams present sealed bids for Japanese players and the successful bidder obtains the negotiating rights.

 

Seibu officials said Mori, who was named the league's best setup man in 2002 and 2003, asked for an opportunity to ply his trade in the majors rather than wait until he meets the requirements to become a free agent next season.

 

Mori, 31, joined Seibu in 1997 as a second-round draft pick and has a 44-44 career record with 50 saves and a 3.39 ERA. This year, he went 2-2 with five saves and a 4.22 EAR in 48 games.

 

Earlier in the off-season, Seibu rejected a request from ace right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, 25, to pursue a major league career through the posting system.

 

''The difference between the two cases reflects our management and marketing policies as well the difference in their ages,'' said club representative Akira Kuroiwa.

[Tim]

I still want the Cubs to sign Daisuke.

 

-- edit --

 

N/M. I just read a post I had missed earlier.

[1908]

I still want the Cubs to sign Daisuke.

Sankei Sports reported this week that Matsuzaka is threatening to sit out in 2006 if Seibu won't post him this offseason. Matsuzaka feels he pitched "well enough" to be posted after the Lions said they would if he pitched well. I still think it's a super long shot for him to be posted.

[Tim]

I still want the Cubs to sign Daisuke.

Sankei Sports reported this week that Matsuzaka is threatening to sit out in 2006 if Seibu won't post him this offseason. Matsuzaka feels he pitched "well enough" to be posted after the Lions said they would if he pitched well. I still think it's a super long shot for him to be posted.

He'll be a FA next offseason, right?

[1908]

He'll be a FA next offseason, right?

Matsuzaka? No, he won't be a free agent until after the 2007 season. So the oldest he'll be his first year in the major is 27. Seibu would be best served to post him after the 2006 season.

[1908]

Yakult to let Iwamura to leave for majors next year[/url]"]Yakult Swallows president Yoshikazu Tagiku indicated Wednesday the Central League club will likely allow infielder Akinori Iwamura to make a switch to the major leagues after next season.

 

Tagiku said he will consider putting Iwamura up for auction through the posting system, in which major league clubs present bids for Japanese players, if he turns in a solid performance throughout the 2006 season.

 

Earlier in the offseason, Yakult rejected a request from Iwamura for a chance to move to the major leagues via the posting system for the second straight year.

 

On Wednesday, Yakult and the 26-year-old failed to reach an agreement over an offer of a new contract for an annual salary of 216 million yen, up 42 million yen from this year.

 

Iwamura hit .320 and 30 homers while driving in 102 runs in the 2005 season, reaching a .300 average, 30 homers and 100 RBIs for the second straight year.