Devil Rays Sign Mori

It will be interesting to see how Mori does, even if his best years are behind him.

Interestingly, at the bottom of the article it mentions that the Rays are looking into signing Miceli.

Mori will give the Devil Rays a good setup man to closer Danny Baez.

As for Miceli, Tampa Bay is looking for cheap pitching options. Miceli is exactly that. He will probably go to spring training as a non-roster invitee, meaning he will have to fight for a roster spot. If Tampa Bay is smart and truly looking out towards their future, they wouldn't sign Miceli who was injured last year, and would take a long look at Miceli's numbers with Yomiuri and Colorado. Even, if Miceli is signed, it still doesn't mean he will make the roster, as Tampa Bay is a young team and will most likely give a spot to a young pitcher.

Since Baez was traded to the Dodgers, what are the chances of Mori to be the closer?

There could be a chance of Mori closing games now with Baez gone. Mori's stock just went up with the Baez trade. Because I don't see Colome closing as he's too unstable. Mori is the most likely candidate in my opinion.

Could Mori be like the next Kaz Sasaki?

Mori is no where as accomplished as Kaz Sasaki was. Or are you just referring to the ineffective Sasaki at the end of his MLB and NPB careers?

Though Chad Orvella isn't as seasoned as Mori, it would be good to see him as a set-up for the D-rays rather than Colome.

Mori is no way near the caliber of Sasaki. He's probably a poor man's Shigetoshi Hasegawa.

I agree that Mori is not as good as Sasaki, but he's an decent set-up man like Ohtsuka.

Does Mori have a typical Japanese pitching wind up with the delay?

Can anyone provide a little history on Shinji Mori?

I was looking at his numbers and the K rate is pretty good, and some years downright outstanding.

Pretty bad numbers in 2004, did he get injured?

What's his repetoire? I think I heard fastball and split-finger (aka forkball).

Does anybody know what happened to KAZ, what team he is playing for in Japan? I tried to google it, and I can only get stuff that is 2-3 years old.

Kazuhiro Sasaki returned to the Yokohama BayStars where he was 1 and 2 (and 1 tie) with 19 saves in 24 appearances in 2004. That was about how often the last place 'Stars went into the 9th with a lead.

In his second year back, 2005, Sasaki got taken for three consecutive home runs early in the season (against Yakult, I think it was), and dropped down to the farm, only to be brought back up for a pair of farewell games. He finished 2005 with an 0 and 3 record and 4 saves in 9 appearances.

Marc Kroon took over as the BayStars' closer and thrilled the crowd with by hitting 161 kph (100 mph), setting the NPB speed record on the mound.

Sasaki is now writing a daily column for Nikkan Sports. I expect to hear him in the broadcast booth on both the radio and TV this coming season as well.

I've seen Kroon hit 161 in person at a Yomiuri vs. Yokohama game and it is amazing. I'm surprised no one from the MLB has tried courting him yet. He's really adopted that offbalance Japanese delivery.

Anyone know whats going on with Mori? I've been checking the D-Rays boxscores everyday and I have yet to see Mori pitch. Is he injured?

Yes, he has a slight arm/shoulder injury. He's supposed to be back on the mound this weekend.

Mori just suffered a setback for this season. He has a torn labrum and will miss the 2006 season now. [Full MLB Story]