- Orix signed Jose Fernandez to a one-year, 100m yen ($1.1m) deal with performance bonuses. This gives the Buffaloes four import batters - Fernandez, LaRocca, Alex Cabrera and Tuffy Rhodes - and since Rhodes no longer counts against the foreign player limit they can use them all in the lineup at the same time. Assuming, of course, they're all healthy and three of them can play in the field. Fernandez is joining his fourth NPB team, which may be a record for foreign playeres. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head that's been with more than three.
- Catcher Ryoji Aikawa has given up on getting an MLB contract and will begin negotiating with Yakult. Yakult looks like Aikawa's only option at this point, which is good as they've wanted him all along.
Player Acquisitions: Aikawa, Fernandez
NPB Tracker Archives
Player Acquisitions: Aikawa, Fernandez
by Patrick Newman (Jan 15, 2009)
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