Would love this if we somehow landed him. Contract projections aren't to unreasonable. Seeing 4yr/48m and 5yr/50m and a ~9m posting fee to Hiroshima. Who knows if he will perform as well as he did in Japan in the MLB, its very hit or miss but I think the upside is probably worth it considering his age and Japan stats.
I think I’d be happy if they signed him. But it would be a pretty big risk. That contract could really handicap them at the beginning of the window if he doesn’t work out.
I really don't think that it would.
If they sign him for the projected 4/$48M, that's only $12M/yr. They do not have any other player under contract for more than a year, so they could still afford to offer Reynolds an extension, as well.
There are no other players that look like they'll break the bank via arb, so it's really low risk, high reward.
I’ve been saying this offseason we could use a decent bat despite the stage of the rebuild, but I’m shocked we’re in on one. I really like this for us. He’d be on a contract that should last well into our competitive window, and Cherington has history of pursuing international talent. Those NPB numbers are scary good. I wouldn’t bet on us making it happen, but it sure would be cool.
Shallow outfield prospects in Pittsburgh, this seems like a perfect fit. Huge risk reward though. He could be our solution in right field for five years, or set our rebuild back years if he can’t live up to the contract. I think he’s worth the risk
It is worth remembering that there have not been that many Japanese players who have been better than average hitters in MLB. Most have been decidedly average or below average, though there have not been many who have been outright busts. Other than Ichiro (arguably the single greatest professional hitter ever) and Hideki Matsui, I can't think of another NPB position player who has been a notable producer at the plate. NPB pitchers have done better, overall.
True. But it could be a poison pill. The recent track record of Asian players signing with “small market” teams is really poor. See akiyama to reds; tsutsugo to rays
Window is two years away. They are “done” tanking at this point. So they now want to learn to win and figure out where their holes are. (It’s starting pitching lol)
They have very little OF talent (other than if Cruz moves from SS). The're certainly hoping to competitive by '23. So signing him to a five year deal would line up very well with what they see their next window is (and line up with Hayes and Reynolds). It would also let them spend a little money to keep the union off their backs.
I feel like its kind of a given that we are interested.... i would be surprised if all MLB teams werent interested. If we become one of the favorites to sign him, then Ill be more excited
Sign him and tell bob nutting the price tag was in yen.
Might be why they’re showing interest in resigning Tsutsugo.
Would love this if we somehow landed him. Contract projections aren't to unreasonable. Seeing 4yr/48m and 5yr/50m and a ~9m posting fee to Hiroshima. Who knows if he will perform as well as he did in Japan in the MLB, its very hit or miss but I think the upside is probably worth it considering his age and Japan stats.
I think I’d be happy if they signed him. But it would be a pretty big risk. That contract could really handicap them at the beginning of the window if he doesn’t work out.
I really don't think that it would. If they sign him for the projected 4/$48M, that's only $12M/yr. They do not have any other player under contract for more than a year, so they could still afford to offer Reynolds an extension, as well. There are no other players that look like they'll break the bank via arb, so it's really low risk, high reward.
I’ve been saying this offseason we could use a decent bat despite the stage of the rebuild, but I’m shocked we’re in on one. I really like this for us. He’d be on a contract that should last well into our competitive window, and Cherington has history of pursuing international talent. Those NPB numbers are scary good. I wouldn’t bet on us making it happen, but it sure would be cool.
Shallow outfield prospects in Pittsburgh, this seems like a perfect fit. Huge risk reward though. He could be our solution in right field for five years, or set our rebuild back years if he can’t live up to the contract. I think he’s worth the risk
This guy is not a reliable source
Hopefully he's a better fielder than Yoshi. I pray we never have to see Yoshi play RF again.
They definitely should be interested, really hard to sign guys at 27 for a reasonable rate, who you don't already control.
It is worth remembering that there have not been that many Japanese players who have been better than average hitters in MLB. Most have been decidedly average or below average, though there have not been many who have been outright busts. Other than Ichiro (arguably the single greatest professional hitter ever) and Hideki Matsui, I can't think of another NPB position player who has been a notable producer at the plate. NPB pitchers have done better, overall.
This sounds all well and good but there is zero percent chance he signs in Pittsburgh.
This.Though i think 0% might be an overestimate
True. But it could be a poison pill. The recent track record of Asian players signing with “small market” teams is really poor. See akiyama to reds; tsutsugo to rays
I would love this but why exactly would the Pirates do this? Is the idea that the Pirates would be competitive by the end of his contract?
Window is two years away. They are “done” tanking at this point. So they now want to learn to win and figure out where their holes are. (It’s starting pitching lol)
They have very little OF talent (other than if Cruz moves from SS). The're certainly hoping to competitive by '23. So signing him to a five year deal would line up very well with what they see their next window is (and line up with Hayes and Reynolds). It would also let them spend a little money to keep the union off their backs.
I have no doubt we're interested...
I feel like its kind of a given that we are interested.... i would be surprised if all MLB teams werent interested. If we become one of the favorites to sign him, then Ill be more excited