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
Some surprises here. Kanoh was a bit hard done by - he didn't get much chance to play because of Noguchi who thankfully looks to be heading for the BayStars. Asai getting an increase was also a big surprise - he didn't do that much at all. Iwata's rise was well deserved as was Abe's.
Katsuragi picked up a big increase as well and it's likely he will be used more next season. Tsujimoto has been transferred to Tigers development squad for next season. Both Egusa and Watanabe received healthy rises. Watanabe complained of over-pitching in the latter half of the season mentioned that his arm felt happy so he did well.
Kanemura picked up the second biggest fall in Tigers history on the back of his lamentable performance. Hirano received a well deserved increase. Toritani agreed a nice fat pay rise as well on the back of his improved batting.
Fujikawa is now the Tigers second highest paid player. Imaoka had his salary slashed 20% on the back of another poor year. Even though the latter half did show some improvement, it was not enough to keep him at the higher level.
[Edited by: Christopher on Dec 19, 2008 10:36 AM]Imaoka added
[Edited by: Christopher on Dec 21, 2008 1:15 PM]Akahoshi and Andoh added
[Edited by: Christopher on Dec 24, 2008 4:56 PM]Sekimoto, Kubota and Yano added
[Edited by: Christopher on Jan 24, 2009 4:13 PM]Hiyama added
[Edited by: Christopher on Feb 1, 2009 7:18 PM]