Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
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Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: 20X6!! | Posted: Oct 20, 2007 7:19 PM
| FSH Fan
]
Just a side note - I heard an interview with John Bale (former Carp starter/reliever) on a Royals' pre-game show, and he was asked who the next Japanese import will be, to which he said Kuroda.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Oct 21, 2007 7:38 AM
]
Will the recent flops of Daisuke and Kei hurt Kuroda's MLB value?
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Guest: Kenny | Posted: Oct 21, 2007 11:47 AM
]
How can 15 wins be considered a flop? For the record, Gil Meche of the Royals only had 9 wins, but was considered a good free-agent signing. Granted, Meche's ERA was much lower than Matsuzaka's, but if Matsuzaka is a bust, then you haven't been following MLB pitching closely.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Guest: Ed Kranepool | Posted: Oct 21, 2007 1:54 PM
]
Yes, in terms of posting money. Any pitcher who can throw a strike is going to get a nice payday. I wouldn't call Dice-K a flop either. Write this season off to acclimation. Igawa, on the other hand, stinks. Plus, he is a Yankee - well sort of.
What kind of stuff does Kuroda have?
What kind of stuff does Kuroda have?
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Oct 21, 2007 8:57 PM
]
I don't know. Matsuzaka hasn't been so sharp lately. His pitching form looks really awkward from the one in Japan and the beginning of the MLB season. Why did he change it? It looks like he is rushing his delivery. I believe today's game at Fenway will decide Daisuke's reputation with the Boston fans.
And Kuroda will most likely be a mediocre pitcher in the Majors. If Daisuke put up a 4.40 ERA then Kuroda will not do better in my opinion.
And Kuroda will most likely be a mediocre pitcher in the Majors. If Daisuke put up a 4.40 ERA then Kuroda will not do better in my opinion.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Oct 22, 2007 3:29 PM
]
I'm hoping Kuroda will see the writing on the wall and stay in Japan, signing a deal with my beloved Hanshin Tigers. They need starting pitching! He can stay as the big fish in the small pond, rather than take a chance on humiliation in the big leagues.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Oct 22, 2007 6:51 PM
| HAN Fan
]
I believe his contract precluded that. If I recall correctly he could claim free agency provided he signed to an MLB club. I seem to remember Japanese clubs being excluded.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Oct 22, 2007 7:52 PM
| YBS Fan
]
I confer with Christopher. Everything I've read has said that when Kuroda re-signed for a 4 year deal with Hiroshima last year that he had a clause specifying that he could pursue free agency with an MLB team only. All of the current Japanese articles also only mention Kuroda moving to the MLB.
Hanshin is talking about giving up Hamanaka for a starting pitcher. But they're looking to Nippon Ham for a trade, not Hiroshima.
Hanshin is talking about giving up Hamanaka for a starting pitcher. But they're looking to Nippon Ham for a trade, not Hiroshima.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Deanna | Posted: Oct 22, 2007 10:56 PM
| NIP Fan
]
Wow, uhh. Why on earth would anyone give up something useful for Hamanaka? No offense, I like the guy, but this was not really his best year. If they want some of our pitching they should trade us Lin, we'll treat him well. 
(I suppose that last year the Fighters managed to trade Kazunari Sanematsu for a year of Hideki Okajima, so it is in fact possible to trade nothing for something, but...)
(I suppose that last year the Fighters managed to trade Kazunari Sanematsu for a year of Hideki Okajima, so it is in fact possible to trade nothing for something, but...)
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Christopher | Posted: Oct 23, 2007 9:21 AM
| HAN Fan
]
Surprisingly, Lotte have also expressed interest in Hamanaka. Maybe they and Nippon Ham see some potential they feel they can bring out?
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Nagoya Gaijin | Posted: Oct 24, 2007 11:03 AM
]
I can't see the Tigers giving up Lin in the near future. He's gonna be a helluva player.
I hope they dip into the free agent pool and pick up a dominant starter like Miura, and a good gaijin bat in the form of Ramirez. That would definitely put them over the top. They've got the money, they should spend it.
I hope they dip into the free agent pool and pick up a dominant starter like Miura, and a good gaijin bat in the form of Ramirez. That would definitely put them over the top. They've got the money, they should spend it.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: 20X6!! | Posted: Oct 23, 2007 6:15 PM
| FSH Fan
]
I've learned that anything short of Ichiro is a complete roll of the dice on how well they'll perform in the U.S.
My "how are they not doing better here?" list:
My "how are they not doing better here?" list:
- Matsui (Kazuo) - perhaps the injuries impeded him, but I expected consistent .300 seasons with a ton of stolen bases.
- Igawa - this totally baffles me. Perhaps he needs to get out of New York and play with a Hanshin-like team? The Cubs, anyone?
- Taguchi - I mean, he was what, a .280, 10 HR at best player for the BlueWave?
- Saitoh - I had to think about this one - then I remembered the decent (but not like a superstar) starter for the BayStars. Now as a Dodger he's more dominant as a closer than Sasaki (former teammate, no less) was.
- Okajima (OH kuh JEE muh, as they say here) - yes, a good middle-reliever, but boy did it translate to a super good first year.
Re: Kuroda Declares Free Agency, Eye on MLB
[ Author: Japanese Kid | Posted: Oct 24, 2007 1:39 AM
]
- Saitoh - I had to think about this one - then I remembered the decent (but not like a superstar) starter for the BayStars. Now as a Dodger he's more dominant as a closer than Sasaki (former teammate, no less) was.
In my opinion he was the true Cy Young award winner. He has obviously been the best closer in baseball the past 2 years. Saitoh is the best.
In my opinion he was the true Cy Young award winner. He has obviously been the best closer in baseball the past 2 years. Saitoh is the best.
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Kuroda was 12-8 with a 3.56 ERA in 27 games this year.
Source: Japan Ball