I don’t think I have ever seen a promo for a sports team quite like this one for the Softbank Hawks.

The Yu Darvish bidding ended last night and I noticed a lot of complaints about the posting system used with NPB players. As I wrote in November, Hideki Irabu played a similar role to Curt Flood as his transition to the United States in 1997 was extremely volatile. That year, the San Diego Padres signed a […]

Surprisingly, the Yankees won the bidding right to Seibu Lions shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima. Their bid was for a very reasonable $2 million dollars. The Yankees view Nakajima as a utility man to backup Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Robinson Cano throughout the season. He’s basically replacing Eduardo Nunez, who could be part of a package to possibly bring back some pitching. Jon […]

I’m hearing Yu Darvish likely won’t be posted because of his ongoing divorce proceedings. Apparently, his soon to be ex-wife’s lawyer wants to make sure his MLB salary is counted towards her settlement, and has already filed two depositions delaying their court appearance. Obviously, Darvish and his agent don’t want to post until the divorce is […]

With it appearing more likely every day that Jose Reyes will be signing elsewhere, the discussion turns to how the Mets can improve their offense in 2012. The more I read about Tokyo centerfielder Norichika Aoki, the more I am intrigued about him being a possible fit. Aoki’s reps compare him to Shane Victorino saying he “a Gold Glove center fielder […]

When former Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu took his life this past summer the most common theme was the failure and disappointment of his baseball career. Dubbed the “Japanese Nolan Ryan,” Irabu made his debut on July 10th, 1997 and struck out 9 in a 10-3 victory. He made a grand entrance on George Steinbrenner’s private […]

There have been continued rumblings regarding Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish. For a couple of years we have heard about the kid, and there is strong speculation that his Japanese team (Nippon Ham Fighters) will post him after the season. I wonder how this will impact the pitching landscape, specifically the Yankees. Not since Daisuke […]

I have to agree with Rob Neyer of ESPN that a possible “Global Series” between the World Series winner and NPB champion would be a terrible idea. Neyer lays out great reasons such as the players not wanting to participate, union obstacles, and talent disparity. Could you imagine your team going the distance for 162 […]

Update 6:25 Spoke too soon as Patrick Newman of NPB tracker “tweets” that Boston offered Igarashi a two year deal for about $3 million dollars. Like everything else in 2009 this will turn chaotic for the Mets. David Waldstein of the New York Times is reporting the Mets are close to signing Japanese free agent […]

A theme that may become part of the Yankees decision making process is the revenue stream that Hideki Matsui’s creates. After much thought I think off the field financial considerations are just as important as his homers, RBI’s, and batting average. NYBD contributor Frank Russo wrote about this in his latest column indicting a possible […]

I noticed an interesting tidbit at NPB Tracker yesterday when reading up the Hideki Matsui situation. Patrick Newman goes down the list of foreign players on each Japanese roster and indicates their future in the Pacific. Former Met Benny Agbayani, who has spent the last six years in Japan, apparently will retire to a life […]

Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker reports about the Softbank Hawks having interest in signing Yankees PH Eric Hinske. If Thursday game went into extra innings I believe Joe Girardi would have regretted not have Hinske on the bench. I still don’t quite understand the need for two PR’s. Brett Gardner is good enough and, unlike […]

Nice update by Mack’s Mets who provides updates about former Mets Edgardo Alfonzo, Benny Agbayani, and Craig Brazell. It appears that only Brazell is having a great year in the Far East. I wasn’t happy to see Alfonzo, one of my favorites, struggle in Japan. I never got the feeling watching him play in the […]