NYY won the rights to negotiate with Japanese SS Hiroyuki

Pharmcat · Post #1 » by **Pharmcat** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:42 pm

per wiretap

to backup jeter

never heard of him

Dr. Detfink · Post #2 » by **Dr. Detfink** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 10:32 pm

Kaz Matsui is that you?!?!!

Post #3 » by **moocow007** » Thu Dec 8, 2011 2:16 pm

But I thought Eduardo Nunez was the backup infielder? Hmmm....buh-bye Swish and hello Mr Jurjjens?

Post #4 » by **moocow007** » Thu Dec 8, 2011 2:19 pm

Well here's a blurb about Nakajima...a career .313 hitter with a .389 OBP, .489 SLG and .880 OPS. Has an almost 2-to-1 SO-to-BB ratio so he is a bit of a free swinger (averages about 19HR and 85RBI's a season). Has some good speed (stole 25 bases in 2008). Range supposedly is somewhat limited but is otherwise considered a sure handed fielder. Yankees supposedly view him as a guy that can backup Cano, Jeter and ARod and be insurance (as a starter) should anyone of them go on the IL (probably view him as more reliable health wise for ARod than the options they had last season).

Nakajima hit .297 with 16 homers and 100 RBIs this season for the Lions, captaining the team. He played at the 2008 Olympics and attracted attention in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, when he batted .364 with six walks and six RBIs in seven games as Japan won the title. He had a pair of RBI doubles when Japan eliminated the United States in the semifinals.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Nakajima, a regular shortstop in Japan, could back up Jeter, A-Rod and second baseman Robinson Cano.

“High character guy. They named him captain for a reason,” Cashman said. “His reputation is extremely high, and his abilities are impressive.”

Post #5 » by **moocow007** » Thu Dec 8, 2011 2:26 pm

In other news...looks like Darvish is ready to be posted.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/08/yu-darvish-posting-major-league-baseball_n_1136070.html

TOKYO — Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish ended months of speculation Thursday by saying he intends to make a move to Major League Baseball.

Darvish, the son of an Iranian father and a Japanese mother, went 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA this season for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. He had 276 strikeouts to lead the Pacific League.

The 6-foot-5 Darvish has superb control and throws seven effective pitches, including a two-seam fastball introduced during the 2010 season. It's expected he would make a top-of-the-rotation major league starter.

Yankees have already gotten their feet we in Japanese waters with Nakajima. Now lets see if they are ready to dive in for Dervish.