Japanese Free Agents

[homer]

"We don't do much with it," he said. "We try to keep in touch, but we don't have full-time people even scouting over there. We can't rule ourselves out, but if you look at the markets Japanese players have gone to, their choices are a city with a strong Japanese community. That's the way we view it."

 

 

Which means Fukudome should be signing with the Brewers any day now. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[splitterpfj]

Royals closing in on Yasuhiko Yabuta. It'll be interesting to see how he does in the states, if KC can do it, why not the Brewers?

 

Yabuta

[Invader3K]

Scouts don't come cheap, especially (presumably) bilingual ones that would basically live in Japan full-time.

[splitterpfj]

Yabuta's deal with KC is reportedly two years for 5-6 million, with a team option for a third. Although it's a longshot, the Royals are still pursuing Hiroki Kuroda too.

 

Interesting strategy by the Royals, they hired Trey Hillman as manager, fresh off of five years of managing in Japan - and they're using him to recruit Japanese players. Now, they've signed one player who had multiple options, and they're attempting to land another.

 

This is major-league-ready talent coming over here, and yes, there is risk until you see how each guy does, but look at what free agent relievers are getting right now - it's nuts. KC just got one for 2 years plus an option, at a max of three million per.

 

I vote we hire a Japanese manager.

[Katuluu]

Scouts don't come cheap, especially (presumably) bilingual ones that would basically live in Japan full-time.

You don't have to be bilingual to scout Japan. Something like 90% of Japanese people speak English fluently. My father has had business over their for two decades and rarely has learned much more then basic phrases as their simply is no need.

[Invader3K]

So, then why don't the Brewers do it? Is it simply an issue that Milwaukee isn't very attractive to Japanese baseball players, or is there more to it?

[Fatter than Joey]

I vote we hire a Japanese manager.

 

Sort of like a bizzaro-world Mr. Baseball 2

[colbyjack]

I noted just above that Japanese players do tend to show more loyalty and will make decisions based on their comfortability with people, players, scouts, coaches, managers, etc. The Royals do have an edge in this dep't. given the manager they hired, and Dayton Moore has some familiarity with all parts of the world given his background with the Braves and their scouting dep't. that reached everywhere.

 

The Brewers have limited funds, and have to determine where they spend the money they have allotted for scouting and player development. An increased presence in Japan to increase their familiarity with the players likely means a decreased presence somewhere else.

 

Interesting that there hasn't been a peep about Fukudome recently.

[splitterpfj]

The only thing I've seen about Fukudome recently was that he was looking for three years, 30 million, minimum.

[splitterpfj]

The number that keeps floating around on Fukudome is 3 years / 30 million. He is reportedly considering a one-year deal to stay in Japan, and then try this again - some teams are hesitant because he had elbow surgery late in the season.

 

Yes, it's a risk, but his skills would fit the Brewers ideally. I've never heard the Brewers connected to him at all, most recently I've read about the Rangers and Cubs talking with him.

 

"Fukudome is tailor-made for the Major Leagues. He has patience as well as power to the gaps, Fukudome won't hit more than 20 homers, but 50 doubles is not out of the question. Also has a habitual .400+ OBP." -Mike Plugh, Baseball Prospectus

Three for thirty, any opinions?

[chadomac]

I wouldn't mind 3 for 30. Like I've said before, you can't bank on LaPorta being ready on opening day 2009... so I think it would be best to find a LF option for the next 2-3 years and then deal with a surplus of OF talent when and if it happens.

[Oldcity]

I'd do 3/30. Obviously there are long odds of him coming here though.

[And That]

If I were confident his elbow was healthy and he could put up a .400ish OBP and a .430-.450ish SLG over the next three years, I'd consider going much higher than 3/30... closer to 3/40.

 

Those are some big assumptions, though.

[homer]

Now that Cordero has left the building, could we use some of that $$ to sign Fukudome? I think 3/30 is just fine for a guy that will probably outproduce what Jenkins did the last three years.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'd consider going much higher than 3/30... closer to 3/40.

If his health is good enough, yea - I'd go 3/40-45 easily. What it'll likely come down to is if a team is willing to give him a 4th year.

 

I vote we hire a Japanese manager.

Only 28 posts for this to turn into a Ned Yost yea/nay thread, huh? You people sicken me.

[Big Reed]

I find it odd the brewers have not been more active in their pursuit of Japanese free agents. They have had pretty good experiences with the ones that have signed and played for the brewers. Hideo Nomo actually said he liked the city of Milwaukee. Ohka was an Ok servicable pitcher. Hasagawa and Nomura were roster fillers, but seemed to like playing for the Brewers.

 

I was dispointed last year the brewers didn't go after 3B Iwamura and the year before with catcher Johjima. It would be nice if the brewers could beat out the Cubs for 2b Matsui. Obviously, that would mean a shift or trade for Weeks.

 

The Yankees Matsui is being rumored to be part of a deal for the Twins Santana. how about Matsui for Sheets?

[trwi7]

Obviously, that would mean a shift or trade for Weeks.

I would lose all faith in Doug Melvin as GM if he traded Weeks because he signed Kaz Matsui.

[TheCouga23]

The only thing I've seen about Fukudome recently was that he was looking for three years, 30 million, minimum.

I'd do that in a heartbeat. I'd do 4/40, actually. That last year of the contract might be tough to swallow, but our window to win is now. We can worry about 2011 later. Fukudome just has too much upside with that OBP. He would be perfect either leading off or batting second.

LaPorta may have more value for us in a trade, anyways. I say sign Fukudome now, and trade LaPorta for someone's closer. LaPorta for Joe Nathan? That would just solve so many problems.

 

[TheBrewer]

Check out Matsui's stats away from Coors field. I'll pass

[erbacaine04]

The only thing I've seen about Fukudome recently was that he was looking for three years, 30 million, minimum.

I'd do that in a heartbeat. I'd do 4/40, actually. That last year of the contract might be tough to swallow, but our window to win is now. We can worry about 2011 later. Fukudome just has too much upside with that OBP. He would be perfect either leading off or batting second.

LaPorta may have more value for us in a trade, anyways. I say sign Fukudome now, and trade LaPorta for someone's closer. LaPorta for Joe Nathan? That would just solve so many problems.

 

 

You cant trade Laporta because he was just drafted I believe you have to wait 2 years to trade a draft choice.... by then nathan would be a Free Agent..

 

Also the Royals have been talked about with Japanease players because there Manager managed over there for a few years and I think the guy they signed was from his old team.

 

Kurdora has said a few times over the last few years that he wants to play on the West Coast because he likes the weather better...

 

Fukudome will probably go to the Pads... they are pursuing him pretty hotly..

[pogokat]

laporta could be dealt as a ptbnl...or in june...it's only one year that you have to wait

[splitterpfj]

Cubs are concerned that losing out on Matsui will damage their shot at Fukudome. Matsui and Fukudome were high school teammates in Japan, the Cubs have no other Japanese players.

 

Strange to hear that, and then see that Houston offered Matsui one million dollars more than the Cubs, which made the difference.

 

Nothing else really about Fukudome, there doesn't seem to be a front-runner right now.

[splitterpfj]

Ken Rosenthal - Cubs, White Sox, Padres and Dodgers pursuing Fukudome, who has yet to formally declare his intention to jump to the states.

 

On Hiroki Kuroda - One interested team says that the price for Kuroda will exceed what Ted Lilly received from the Cubs last off-season - a four-year, $40 million free agent contract.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7521692

[Brewtacular]

I would really like the crew to go after Fu-kuh-doh-may. He is \\\!

 

 

 

edit...those slashes are yen marks on my keyboard...sorry