This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
That being said, I don't think Alfonzo is good enough to have an impact in NPB in 2009. My major league team is the SF Giants, and Alfonso really underwhelmed in his three seasons there from 2003-2005. His drop-off in those years after his great seasons for the Mets made me wonder if he wasn't really older than his reported birth date of November 8, 1973. His OPS in the Venezuelan Winter League this year was only .734, which I don't expect to translate to a good year in Japan.