[新聞] Yanks turn to Far East

[PerryRod (Maybe Next Time)]

  這大概是一年一次的月經文，而且可能會持續到2008年。
  每年大家都在討論松(土反)能否挑戰MLB.
  不過再怎麼討論，好像都無法改變西武老闆的想法。
  Asian-MLB板也有日本相關的報導，有興趣的板友可以前去看看。

  文章出處：http://myurl.com.tw/eki9


HOT STOVE LEAGUE
Yanks turn to Far East
Bronx club smitten with prime Japanese pitcher Matsuzaka

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BY JON HEYMAN
STAFF WRITER

November 4, 2005


Seibu Lions righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka still hopes to pitch in the major
leagues this season even after his Japanese League team rejected his request
to leave earlier this week. And if Matsuzaka somehow can convince his current
employers to reverse course, the Yankees are expected to hotly pursue the
pitcher considered by many to be the best in the Japanese League.

A major-league source said Yankees officials were severely disappointed when
Seibu on Monday declined Matsuzaka's request to be offered to the big
leagues, though not as disappointed as Matsuzaka, 25, who recently hired
agent Scott Boras to help him realize his dream to play baseball in the
United States.

 While the Yankees don't have an obvious need for starting pitching and
aren't interested in pursuing accomplished free-agent pitchers such as Kevin
Millwood and Kenny Rogers, apparently they like Matsuzaka enough to make an
exception, if only Seibu will consent to "post" the pitcher, which means to
offer him here for bids.

Yankees reports are extremely favorable on Matsuzaka, who went 14-13 with a
2.30 ERA and led the Pacific League in strikeouts (226), innings (215) and
complete games (15).

"The interest in Matsuzaka is widespread from numerous major-league teams,"
Boras said yesterday. "If he were posted, he'd be one of the premier pitchers
in the big leagues because of his age and velocity."

Although Yankees people identify the bullpen and centerfield as their two
greatest areas of need, they do not pass up chances to acquire someone they
believe to be great, and scouts who've seen Matsuzaka are effusive in their
praise of a pitcher who tops out at 96 mph and features a "double-spin"
screwball, or "gyroball," which breaks into and then away from a righthanded
batter.

If Matsuzaka and Boras somehow can convince Seibu to change its original
decision, there will be a scramble for the pitcher. "Everyone's going to want
him. He's a no-brainer," one major-league scout said. "He's a big-money guy."

However, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman doesn't sound very optimistic
that Matsuzaka will be able to win the right to leave Japan. Asked if he's
interested in the pitcher, Cashman answered, "I wouldn't say whether we do or
don't have interest because he's under contract, and I think he's going to
remain under contract."

But another major-league executive said of Seibu, "Certainly they can reverse
course. There's no document. It's their choice."

Matsuzaka hopes he can convince Seibu management that there's considerable
interest in him in the major leagues. Seibu's ownership is hurting
financially; their incentive for posting him is that they stand to pocket the
posting price.

If Matsuzaka can change Seibu's thinking, the Yankees probably would have an
excellent chance to win his services, given that the posting system favors
the team that makes the highest bid. Seattle paid $13 million to the Orix
Blue Wave in 2000 to win the right to negotiate with Ichiro Suzuki.

If Seibu sticks with its original decision, Matsuzaka might have to wait
until after the 2008 season, when he'd be eligible for free agency.

Matsuzaka has tried for two years to convince Seibu to let him pitch in the
major leagues and was said to be heartbroken when his latest request was
denied this week. "Honestly, I'm devastated," Matsuzaka said to The Daily
Yomiuri. "I guess it won't be happening this year."

Matsuzaka had been under the impression that he'd be posted if he had a
successful season and drew interest from major-league teams. In addition to
the Yankees, it is believed the Mariners and Red Sox would have strong
interest in him.

Daisuke Matsuzaka file

Throws: Right.

Height: 6-foot.

Weight: 187 pounds.

Born: Sept. 13, 1980, in Tokyo.

Team: Seibu Lions.

Career record: 91-55 in seven seasons.

Background

 Burst onto the Japanese baseball scene as a high school player. At age 17,
in the Koshien Tournament in 1998, he threw a 17-inning, 250-pitch game for
the victory.

First-round draft pick of the Seibu Lions and received a signing bonus of 50
million yen (approximately $427,000).

Career highlights

1999 Won Rookie of the Year honors in the Pacific League, going 16-5 with a
2.60 ERA. His 16 wins led the league.

2000 Became the first teenage Opening Day pitcher in Japanese baseball in 15
years. Went 14-7 with a 3.97 ERA, leading the league in wins, shutouts (two)
and strikeouts (144).

2001 Went 15-15, leading the league in wins and losses.

2002 Missed much of the year with an elbow injury.

2003 Went 16-7, finishing second in the league in wins. Led the league with
215 strikeouts in 194 innings.

2004 Became the first Japanese pitcher to reach 100 mph on a radar gun; he
accomplished the feat in the Olympics.

2005 Went 14-13 despite little offensive support. Compiled his lowest ERA,
2.30, and completed 15 of his 28 starts.


--

  Wake Up, Right Now!

--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) 
◆ From: 218.175.150.231
→ PerryRod:Po完才發現CMWang版已經有轉錄了~~
推 steo:我很懷疑再找一位SP的可能性.
推 pigface:但我覺得抓過來改造成強力RP也不錯
→ pigface:該要準備培養人接Mo的棒了 不知道是誰
推 jimcal:找松阪的機會應該不高  SP多到有剩  他買來改RP也太浪費了
→ jimcal:之前Proctor的實驗算失敗了 如果能找到BJ Ryan應該會擋著用
推 elduque:Proctor之前是先發投手?我怎麼沒印象...
推 jackygato:6樓說的是要培養Proctor當Mo接班人實驗算失敗
推 noonecan:Mo退休後能進名人堂嗎...到時候一定超懷念他的
推 lukehong:邪惡一點 抓K-ROD過來好了
推 pigface:我覺得如果能變成跟Mo一樣的超強後援就不浪費了說