mk49

I don't know, but I think Imai and Gallen will get similar AAV. Maybe, Imai will get a 4~6yr deal, and Gallen will get 3~4yr. I wouldn't be super surprised, if Gallen comes back big next year, but I doubt it. More than likely, he won't be anywhere close to who he was a few years ago.

I wouldn't be surprised, the White Sox sign Sugano for a cheap 1yr deal. But, Imai? I don't think so.

I don't know how much the Cubs can get from Japan market. But, if the Cubs sign both Imai and Okamoto, they would be the first MLB team with four Japanese players. If I remember correctly, Yomiuri Giants, Okamoto's team, is the most popular team in Japan. And, he was the best hitter they had for a while. That should be able to get a lot of sponsors from Japan, I would think. If that's the case, they might be able to make more profit, even if they go over the LT line. The posting fee is another issue, though. That said, signing Okamoto (or Bregman) doesn't make much sense, unless they trade Shaw or Nico, which I don't like. Even if they trade Nico, Bregman would be too expensive and too long for the Cubs. Resigning Tucker would make more sense than Bregman, if Tucker can't get a long term deal. BTW. I don't think Okamoto can be a good 3B. He's either 1B, LF or DH. So, yeah, Okamoto isn't a good fit for the Cubs. If they don't get Imai, I have a feeling that they don't get any SP, unless a good trade shows up. I don't think Imai is going to be really expensive. I could be totally wrong, of course, but he's gonna sign something like 4~5yr, $20M AAV or less. If the Cubs doesn't offer him that kind of contract, they probably wouldn't get Gallen, either. Anyway, we'll know very soon.

I think Imai isn't going to be super expensive. I wouldn't be surprised, if he signs something like 4~5yr, $20M AAV or a little less. It would suck, if the Cubs don't offer that kind of deal. We'll know very soon.

Found the latest Imai news in Japanese. Here's the translation. Tatsuya Imai (27), a pitcher for the Seibu Lions who is seeking a move to Major League Baseball through the posting system, responded to an interview request from Sports Hochi through his representatives on the 28th (29th Japan time), stating, "I am currently in Los Angeles negotiating with my agent regarding numerous offers I have received. I have also had meetings with several teams." I guess they just do online meetings nowadays.

I found a Japanese article about the TV interview. Here's the Google translation. Imai is currently in the United States and had a meeting with his agent. When asked, "Which team are you interested in joining?", he replied, "Surprisingly, there aren't really any specific teams that have been mentioned as candidates. It seems that the teams that are interested and those that have made a formal offer are completely different things." He calmly continued, "Of course, there will be other teams trying to acquire other players, and the market for other players will likely change things. I want to make the best decision in that situation. I have a family, and I want to make the best choice for them."

Supposedly, Imai said those things on TV yesterday.

I didn't expect the Cubs would sign this many bullpen guys. That's a lot, assuming Assad, Rea, Brown and Hodge will be there. I guess that's good, because Brown, Assad and Rea can be swing men. I think Ben could be a really decent reliever,, though.

Do you guys think the Cubs are going to sign Bregman for 5~6yrs, $30M AAV, which is supposed be what he's looking for? I think it's unrealistic, unless nobody wants him, and he'll get more like 4yrs, $25M AAV. Signing Okamoto for 3yrs, $15M AAV would be more realistic. Or, if Imai ends up making 4yrs, $20M AAV, I think the Cubs would get him, although he's probably get a better deal. TBH, I don't know I'm being realistic or not, but I just think the Cubs have a better chance getting Imai and/or Okamoto than Bregman. I was excited, when I heard we might get Bregman last year. But, after seeing Shaw this year, I'm not really into Bregman signing for that kind of contract. Either way, the priority should be adding a good SP, then a good hitter. Trading for Joe Ryan? I'm all in. I don't mind trading Ben Brown or Assad + Cassie or Alcantara + Mo (although I'll miss him) for Ryan, as long as we can keep Shaw, and Wiggins. But, I heard they won't trade Ryan. Who knows?

Hope not. What was the one before Dansby? Darvish?

It would be funny, if Gallen is their #1 target after all.

If Okamoto is 3yr, $45M or less, it would be worth it for the Cubs. Supposedly, he can do 3B, 1B and outfield. I don't know how good he is as a defensive dude, but he could be our utility guy who can hit better than most utility guys, and he can do DH, if he can actually hit well. He got three gold gloves in Japan, but Seiya got more (maybe, 5 times?). So, I really don't know his defense. Okamoto fits way better than Murakami for the Cubs. Then, forget about Bregman, which doesn't make sense to me, unless they really want to trade Nico, or don't like Shaw. Then, they should have enough money to sign Imai or whoever like Valdez or Suarez.

I thought the Cub's contract with Shota was about right. I thought the Red Sox or the Braves was trying to get him, too, and one of those teams was supposed to offer him a better deal. It's been 2 years, so I don't remember for sure. I was just reading about Yamamoto. He had the Japanese version of Cy Young 3 years in a row and was a MVP in those 3 years, which tied the record (as a pitcher) in Japan. Imai is nothing like that. I hope your "suspiciously quiet" thing leads to a cheaper than expected contract for Imai. BTW, I just watched Murakami's press conference. He said he talked to Seiya and Shota, after he signed. Hopefully, Imai has been talking to them. Either way, I want Imai to sign ASAP, so we don't need to talk and worry about this anymore.

I heard Yamamoto was one of the best pitchers ever in Japan, and he was only 25. Only the Dodgers would do that kind of deal for somebody who never pitched in MLB. Shota took less money, because he liked the Cubs. Murakami isn't a pitcher, so it's different. That said, I kind of agree. I don't think he's gonna get $160+m. Maybe, 6yrs, $20m AAV.

Interesting. Ohtani and Sasaki can reach 100mph. Yamamoto's fastest one was like 98. So, I assumed there were many NPB pitcher who could throw fast. At least, I didn't think the Imai's average 95mph was the 2nd hardest.

Was Imai the 2nd hardest as a SP? Or, all the bullpen guys weren't that fast?

If that's the case, the White Sox got a good deal. I just watched Locked on White Sox, and the guy was so excited, like it's a huge deal. That was kind of fun to watch.

I don't know where it came from, but it's all over the place. I don't remember where I heard, but there was somebody on Youtube talking about it. His BA against 93+mph have been dropping for the last 3 years, and it was .095 last year.

Yeah, hopefully, that's what's gonna happen. If we get Imai, that'd be great. If not, move on to the next target. I guess the same thing goes for Okamoto. I think his deadline is Jan 4th.

If we don't get Imai, I would want Joe Ryan. But, I started thinking it's unrealistic.

As I said, I don't know how they get the number, but my guess is only the last pitch counts.

Maybe, it's not a stupid question (actually, a good question, I think), or I'm simply stupid, because I don't know exactly how they got the number.

I remembered correctly. I just searched "munetaka murakami 93 mph batting average". And, found many sources said .095.

If I remember correctly, his BA for 93+mph fastball was .095 last year + his K% was really high. I also heard he's a really bad defender, and most likely, he'll be a DH. For 2yr, $34m, that's cheap and short enough to gamble. He could either take that kind of contract, or go back to Japan. I wonder how Okamoto's contract will be. He's supposed to hit fastballs way better, much lower K rate, but less power than Murakami. Also, a better defender. So, Okamoto is a safer bet. Maybe, 3yr, $15m AAV?

What about Murakami? I'm not saying the Cubs should sign him, but he has to sign within a few days. I haven't heard he visited some teams. I remember Shota said he asked Darvish about the Cubs, before he joined. Darvish told Shota good things about the team and the city, I guess. I would think Imai does/did the same thing, asking Shota and Seiya, even though he said he didn't want to ask other Japanese guys to get answers.