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Around SBN: The Gift Of The 2003 Tigers

Sox make offer to Tazawa

Sanspo is reporting that Red Sox VP for international scouting Craig Shipley spent 1 hour 50 minutes negotiating with Junichi Tawaza, resulting in a $6M contract offer. No word on whether it’s a major league deal or not.

 

Pretty interesting, despite the fact that they misspelled "Tazawa."  The article goes on to say that Tazawa has also drawn interest from the Tigers, Indians, and Mariners.  I'd love to have this guy in AAA to develop a little more and then make the big club in the next year or two.

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He'd probably go to AA.

AAA is more for career minor leaguers that are always ready to be called up for an emergency. Either that or players who need a few more games to adjust.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 23, 2008 10:12 PM EST reply actions  

Putting aside

The potential ramifications of basically raiding talent from Japan, this is EXTREMELY exciting. He may not end up meeting all the potential that’s been built up by the hype, but SOME of it has to be real given the level of interest and coverage.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Nov 24, 2008 1:25 AM EST reply actions  

This is from SI.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 25, 2008 6:14 PM EST up reply actions  

mlb trade rumors

has details on the contract

3 year, $3M contract (that’s $1M/year)
Major League contract
start off at class AA
remain a starter
personal translator

There must be insentives if it is half the price of what others were offering. Nikkan sports is reporting that he has already decided on the Sox.

Sources:
http://www.npbtracker.com/2008/11/details-on-bostons-offer-to-tazawa/

by drabidea on Nov 24, 2008 9:42 AM EST reply actions  

Called it!

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 24, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Crazy..

First Dice-K, then Oak, now Taz? We are a Japanese pitching goldmine.

by Charged on Nov 24, 2008 1:58 PM EST reply actions  

Do not forget

Kenshin Kawakami who has stated he would prefer to play the 09 season as a Red Sox.

by SoxAcumen on Nov 24, 2008 6:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Hope that helps him decide to come to us over the higher offers from other clubs.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 24, 2008 7:33 PM EST up reply actions  

$6 million seems like a lot to pay

Based on the scouting reports I’ve seen—not a lot of velocity or stamina—he sounds more like a relief pitcher. I hope he isn’t an expensive bust.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 24, 2008 11:16 PM EST reply actions  

Drugs, value of dollar has deflated.

Remember, Wake got $4 mil?

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 26, 2008 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Wake is a better than league average starter - a valuable commodity

Starters are worth more than relief pitchers. Tazawa, by all accounts, is a project. $6 million is a lot to pay for a “prospect.”

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 26, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Not really.
  1. Mariano Rivera, $15,000,000 (2008-10)
  2. Brad Lidge, $12,500,000 (2009-11)
  3. Joe Nathan, $11,750,000 (2008-11)
  4. Francisco Cordero, $11,500,000 (2008-11)
  5. Billy Wagner, $10,750,000 (2006-09)
  6. Eric Gagne, $10,000,000 (2008)
  7. Francisco Rodriguez, $10,000,000 (2008)
  8. B.J. Ryan, $9,400,000 (2006-10)
  9. Jason Isringhausen, $8,000,000 (2005-08)
  10. Todd Jones, $7,000,000 (2008)
  11. Brad Lidge, $6,350,000 (2008)
  12. Danys Baez, $6,333,333 (2007-09)
    Trevor Hoffman, $6,333,333 (2006-08)
  13. Chad Cordero, $6,200,000 (2008)
  14. Tom Gordon, $6,000,000 (2006-08)
  15. Kyle Farnsworth, $5,666,667 (2006-08)
  16. Octavio Dotel, $5,500,000 (2008-09)
  17. Brian Fuentes, $5,050,000 (2008)

Look at those salaries for Relief Pitchers. If he outpitches Tom Gordon (not that hard to do), he’ll be a bargain.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 26, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions  

From Cot's

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 26, 2008 1:50 PM EST up reply actions  

The vast majority of those relievers are closers (who are almost always overpaid)

Those that aren’t closers are former closers or established relievers. Tazawa is a 22-year old project, who will likely start in the minors. $6 million is a lot to pay for a pitcher like that. If Tazawa becomes a dedent starter, it’s a good contract. Otherwise …

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 26, 2008 2:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Okay, what I'm trying to say is that $6mil isn't as crazy an amount as it was a year or two ago.

Now it’s about league average.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 26, 2008 3:11 PM EST up reply actions  

The $6 million is for multiple years, no?

Like at least three? 2 million a year is nothing. Certainly worth taking a flyer on.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Nov 27, 2008 12:53 AM EST up reply actions  

For Tazawa?

I honestly don’t know.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Nov 30, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions  

It seems like that absurd posting fee is paying off...

When we put up the $51.1 Mil for Dice, there was a lot of talk about how it will help us down the road with the Japanese talent pool, and this has to be the first example of how its helping. Apparently Tazawa turned down more money elsewhere in order to play for the Sox. I haven’t read exactly why he wanted to be with the Sox, but I would think that Dice and Oki’s presence and success here has to be a major reason.

by BTLove on Nov 25, 2008 6:38 PM EST reply actions  

It does seem...

…like a done deal. Per Extra Bases (Boston Globe). It seems more like a flyer on a guy who could be serviceable ’pen help (at worst) or a 4th or 5th starter (at best).

Anyhow, a nice little move…

Rock me, sexy Jesus...

by nuthinboutnuthin on Nov 27, 2008 12:03 AM EST reply actions  

Remember Oki?

I remember thinking when he signed “that’s a fair price for a translator.”

Then he was an all-star.

Ah, the good old days.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Nov 27, 2008 12:55 AM EST reply actions  

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