"The Old Reflector"
"Hasta La Vista 2007." Chin-Hui
Tsao has a new home on the last day of 2007,
Tsao signed a Minor League contract with the Kansas City Royals.
I would
like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
I hope everyone will continue to visit the site throughout
next year and so on! Thanks for your support as always.
Here are two
YouTube video of Masahide Kobayashi and
Yasuhiko Yabuta, both will play their first year in the
MLB in 2008 for Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals.
Masahide
Kobayashi (Against Team Korea in 2003 Olympic Qualifier)
Kobayashi have
the usual Asian pitcher's slow, hesitation high
leg pause when he pitch out of the windup, look similar like Aki
Otsuka.
Yasuhiko Yabuta
(Against Team USA in 2006 World Baseball Classic)
Yabuta came in
and got Chipper Jones to groundout at 1st
while K'd both Derrek Lee and Johnny Damon. Looked
like Lee gave the finger to Yabuta after getting struck out.
"Super Saito." Takashi
Saito is the most popular player in the clubhouse
among his teammates, after convincing Hiroki Kuroda to
join him in Los Angeles, he will also represent the team on their
first official float at the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in
Pasadena. Hong-Chih Kuo is also scheduled to be on the float.
(12/30) | Saito emerging as team ambassador
"American Giant."
Keiichi Yabu who pitched with
the Oakland Athletics in 2005
have signed a Minor League deal with the Giants, not Japanese
power Yomiuri Giants, but the San Francisco Giants. The signing
was announced by Baseball America two weeks ago, Giants'
website just follow it up by making it official. Yabu is going to
be a long shot to make the team out of Spring Training, and
likely will be assigned to AAA-Fresno to start his 2008 season.
(12/26) |
Giants ink Yabu to Minor League deal
"Season's Greetings."
Merrymas
Two more wallpapers (Matsuzaka
Champion, Matsuzaka WBC)
and
a banner (Matsuzaka) added in "Multimedia". The Matsuzaka banner
also work as a jigsaw puzzle in "Between Innings". Happy Holidays!
Philadelphia Phillies signed
versatile outfielder So Taguchi
to a one-year contract with option for 2009, Taguchi is likely
be depended on all three outfield positions with the Phillies.
(12/23) |
Phils sign Taguchi to one-year deal
"Media Day."
Kosuke Fukudome finally being
introduced at Wrigley Field
as the newest member of the Chicago Cubs. Fukudome was
not aware that the Cubs have not won a World Series in 100
years, said his only goal is to help the team win a Championship.
(12/19) |
Fukudome unveiled in Chicago
"Tuesday Tidbits."
Hideki Okajima won MLB.com's
annual This Year in Baseball
(TYIB) Awards' top setup man, as voted on by the fans online.
"The Breakdown."
I believe the Japanese market
for potential 2008
Major Leaguer is now closed unless some irony signing
happens next month. Here is what I
expect from the
five "rookies" as they prepare for their rookie
season.
Kosuke Fukudome 5-Tool outfielder with
Ichiro's cannon arm in the outfield
and Hideki Matsui's swift swing from the left side, I believe he
will be very successful not just next year but for years to come.
Kazuo Fukumori
Injuries limited his chance to follow up his great year in 2006,
if he is totally healthy, he should be able to contribute and be
a solid relief pitcher for years to come, key word is "healthy"?
Masahide Kobayashi
Only two guys saved more games in Japan than Kobayashi,
Kaz Sasaki was an All-Star while Shingo Takatsu performed
well until hitters figured him out, mystery and unfamiliar of
Kobayashi likely will give hitters trouble in his rookie season.
Hiroki Kuroda
Either a 3rd or 4th starter in the rotation, Kuroda's warrior
attitude will remind many fans of Hideo Nomo. Pitches in
the NL and a pitchers' park should help him adjust nicely.
Yasuhiko Yabuta
Japanese relievers' success like Hideki Okajima,
Akinori Otsuka, and Takashi Saito probably helped Yabuta
landing in the MLB, where teams willing to go the Far East
for relief helps. Only time will tell if he is another surprise.
(12/17) |
Hiroki Kuroda is still a free
agent since he have not signed
his deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. There is a chance
Kuroda end up signing with Seattle Mariners, but I really doubt
it since Kuroda have said he prefer to play for Joe Torre.
This video is a great battle
between Hideki Matsui and
Hiroki Kuroda from 2002. The at-bat last almost ten minutes
with Kuroda struck out Matsui looking with a 86 MPH slider.
"Get the Fuku Out of Japan, Cont."
Coming out empty on Kosuke
Fukudome, Texas Rangers
picked up Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' closer
Kazuo Fukumori to fill up a spot in their 2008 bullpen.
(12/13) |
Rangers reel in Japan's Fukumori
"Hot & Not."
Several media back in Japan
indicated Hiroki Kuroda will join
the Los Angeles Dodgers, but GM Ned Colletti would not confirm.
Kuroda is a hot commodity that four MLB teams are hoping to sign.
Texas Rangers decided not to offer
Akinori Otsuka a contract
for next season. Otsuka only pitched 32 1/3 innings in 2007
before landing on the DL in July with right forearm tightness.
(12/13) |
Kuroda to sign with Dodgers
Rangers get Broussard from Mariners
"Get the Fuku Out of Japan."
Tadahito Iguchi agreed to a
one-year deal with San Diego Padres,
Iguchi will replace Marcus Giles at the 2nd base and the main
reason to sign Iguchi for the Padres is to give their top prospect
Matt Antonelli some more time to develop in the Minor League.
Kosuke Fukudome and the Chicago
Cubs reached a preliminary
agreement on a $48 million, four-year contract. The deal is
subject to a physical that is expected to take place next week.
"Sunday Morning..."
Great song by a great
band...enjoy it!
Kosuke Fukudome has decided to spurn
the Yomiuri Giants'
offer and will be playing for an MLB team next season.
Hideki Matsui understand that there
is an interest from
San Francisco Giants, which reportedly discussed trade
details involving Matsui last week. Matsui said he has not
been approached by the New York Yankees because he has a
full no-trade clause on the remaining two years of his contract
with New York. Matsui would need to approve any potential deal.
(12/9) |
Fukudome opts to play in Majors
Matsui ignoring rumors -- for now
"Winter Meeting."
Tadahito Iguchi will use the
weekend to decide whether he will
sign and play for the Colorado Rockies, if Iguchi join the
Rockies, he will replace his countryman Kaz Matsui at 2nd base.
Colorado Rockies'
front office have discussed a potential
two year offer for free agent Tadahito Iguchi to be the
team's 2nd basemen, but has not concluded on it at this time.
So Taguchi has
been released by the St. Louis Cardinals to
clear up a 40-man roster spot. Taguchi is a fan favorite for
his hustling style performance and his shining moment in
the MLB came during the 2006 Championship season when
he hit a solo homer off of Billy Wagner in Game 2 of the NLCS.
Los Angeles
Dodgers still have not receive a word from
Hiroki Kuroda whether he will accept their offer and become a
Dodger next season. Tadahito Iguchi is willing to play 3rd base
for the Dodgers because he prefer to play in the west coast.
Chan Ho Park
officially signed his deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers
which was announced almost a month ago. Park backed out originally
so he can participate the Olympic Qualifier held in Taiwan last
week.
"Decisions...Decisions."
Kosuke Fukudome recently
received an offer of four years
and $20 million to play for the Yomiuri Giants. While Fukudome
have not decided whether he will stay in the NPB or head to
the MLB, both San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs have made
it clear that signing Fukudome is on their top priority list.
Three teams have already made
Hiroki Kuroda a three year
offer, but it might take an additional year to have the service
of the Hiroshima Carp free agent. Both Los Angeles Dodgers
and Seattle Mariners are currently the front runner for Kuroda's
service for the next couple seasons, but nothing is official.
"Signs of the Future."
Kaz Matsui passed his physical
in Houston and is now official a
member of the Houston Astros. Matsui will hit 2nd in the lineup and
take over 2nd basemen job vacated by future HOFer Craig Biggio.
(12/2)
Astros officially sign Matsui
The signing of relief pitcher
Yasuhiko Yabuta is a strong signal
that the Kansas City Royals are eager to be a factor in the
Asian market. Royals is also currently pursuing Hiroki Kuroda.
Kaz Matsui have reportedly agreed
to a three-year deal with
Houston Astros
worth about 16.5 million. Matsui will have a big shoes
to
fill as he replaces the heart and soul of the organization Craig Biggio,
who retired at the end of 2007 after 20 years with the team.
(11/30) |
Yabuta signing a signal by KC
Matsui ironing out details of deal
"Armed & Dangerous."
Hiroki Kuroda, the best
available starting pitcher without having
to pay the "posting fee" is likely to pitch in the MLB next season.
So far, the Seattle Mariners have been the front runner of having
his
service. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals,
and Los Angeles Dodgers have also joined the pursuit for Kuroda,
who could earn himself a much higher salary than Daisuke Matsuzaka
since he already reached his free agent status from Japanese
baseball.
"Jumping The Ship, Cont."
Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte
Marines is about to lose
another member of their bullpen after Masahide Kobayashi
signing with Cleveland Indians earlier in the week.
Yasuhiko Yabuta is expected to sign a two-year deal with
a club option for a third season with the Kansas City Royals.
(11/23) |
Yabuta, Royals appear close to deal
"2008 Mariners?"
The Seattle Mariners is looking
into Japan to fill up a spot in their
2008 rotation. Hiroki Kuroda, an 11 year veteran is looking to join
the MLB and reportedly prefers playing for a West Coast team and
the Mariners already have Ichiro and Kenji Johjima on the team
roster, which could make Seattle even more attractive to Kuroda.
With a strong performance at the
Arizona Fall League for the
Peoria Javelinas, Yung-Chi Chen was rewarded a 40-man
roster spot by the Seattle Mariners. Chen batted .339 in
17 games with the Javelinas with one home run and 12 RBIs.
(11/21) |
Mariners interested in Kuroda
"Jumping The Ship."
One of the most accomplished
reliever in Japan is heading
to the MLB. Masahide "Masa" Kobayashi, who recorded most
saves in Japan after ex-MLBer Kazuhiro Sasaki and Shingo Takatsu
agreed to a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians worth
6.25 million with option for 2010. Kobayashi was a member of the
2004 Japan Olympic team and spent the past nine seasons with
the Chiba Lotte Marines currently managed by Bobby Valentine.
(11/20) |
Tribe lands Japan's Kobayashi
"Japanese Connection."
Trey Hillman is coming back to
the US after managing in
Japan the last couple seasons. Hillman's Kansas City Royals is
close to sign reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year contract
with a player option for a third year, reported by Ken Rosenthal.
Yabuta has told Japanese media the, Royals, White Sox,
Indians, Rays, and Pirates are the finalists for his services.
(11/18) |
Japanese pitcher could join Royals
"Free Agents Updates."
Tadahito Iguchi was approached
by the Philadelphia Phillies
about playing 3rd base, but he told the team he'd prefer to
stay at his familiar 2nd base position. Therefore, the Phillies
released Iguchi, who batted .301 while filling in for the injured
All-Star Chase Utley last season. Chin-Hui Tsao also chose
free agency over AAA Assignment with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
(11/16) |
Iguchi to test free agency
"Taiwan Tour."
New York Yankees' hurler Jeff
Karstens is currently in Taiwan
pitching for Team USA in the World Cup
Tournament. Karstens
was given a personal tour by Yankee teammate Chien-Ming Wang
on a recent off-day and treated to a Beyonce concert, where
he and Wang was chased by paparazzi everywhere they went.
(11/15) |
Karstens rediscovers game overseas
"2008 Forecast."
Los Angeles Dodgers is set to
take on the San Diego Padres
in Beijing during Spring Training, but the Dodgers is also likely
to make a stop in Taiwan to play the Taiwanese National Team
twice, confirmed by MLB chief operating officer Bob Dupay.
(11/15)
Dodgers eyeing games in Taiwan
It is official, Boston Red Sox
will take on the Oakland Athletics
in Tokyo next March for the MLB regular season opener.
Daisuke Matsuzaka might miss the series with his wife Tomoyo
Shibata expecting to deliver their 2nd child around that time.
"Coming & Staying."
Chunichi Dragons slugging
outfielder Kosuke Fukudome declared
for free agency, opening the way his move to the Major Leagues.
However fellow teammate star closer Hitoki Iwase will stay in
Japan after signing a 4 million deal to remain with the Dragons.
"Silver Suzuki."
Three days After winning his
7th consecutive AL outfield
Gold Glove, Ichiro won his 2nd career Silver Slugger Award,
which recognizes the best offensive producer at every
position in both leagues. Ichiro also won the award in 2001.
(11/9) |
Ichiro nabs second Silver Slugger
"LA Stories."
Los Angeles Dodgers outrighted
Taiwanese pitcher
Chin-Hui Tsao to AAA-Las Vegas. Tsao can either accept
the assignment or reject and choose free agency.
Korean pitcher Chan Ho Park began his
career with the
Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994, is rejoining the club with a
non-roster contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
(11/8) |
Dodgers bring righty Park back to LA
"Golden Ichiro."
Ichiro took home his 7th
straight AL outfield Gold Glove.
Ichiro had a .998 fielding percentage this past season.
(11/6) |
Mariners snag two Gold Glove Awards
"AFL Notes."
Prospect Yung-Chi Chen is
hitting well in the AFL, Chen
is trying to make a comeback after ending his season
after five games at AAA-Tacoma. Chen is a possibility at
2nd base for the Seattle Mariners if Jose Lopez is traded.
(11/2) |
After injury, Chen thriving in AFL
"Boras' Boy."
Byung-Hyun Kim, represented by
Scott Boras, will test the
free agent market. Florida Marlins might bring Kim back to be
their 5th starter. Kim pitched for three organizations in 2007.
(10/31) |
Kim to test free-agent market
"World Series Notes."
Congratulations to Daisuke
Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima
winning the 2007 World Series, it marks 3rd straight year
an Asian player was on the World Series Championship
team. Tadahito Iguchi won it all with the Chicago White Sox
back in 2005 and So Taguchi achieved the same feat with the
St. Louis Cardinals last season. Okajima pitched 1/3 of inning
allowing 2 runs via Garrett Atkins' homer. Boston Red Sox beat
Colorado Rockies
4 - 3 in Game 4 of World Series and swept the
series to win their second World Series in the last four years.
With the regular now over, the site
updates will be focused
on new Asian players signing with MLB clubs during the winter.
(10/29)
Twin peaks: Sox are champs
Daisuke Matsuzaka has had mixed
results throughout the
postseason, but fortunately his last two trips to the mound
have been just good enough. Matsuzaka pitched 5 1/3 innings
allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks to go with 5 strikeouts in
Boston Red Sox's
10 - 5 win over Colorado Rockies, and he also
contributed by getting 2 RBIs via hitting a single. Kaz Matsui
started the game with a double off of Matsuzaka and went on
with a 3 for 5 performance with a run scored in the losing effort.
Hideki Okajima relieved Mike Timlin and gave up a 3 run homer
to Matt Holiday but was only tagged for Holliday's run in his only
inning pitched in which he also recorded 2 key outs via strikeouts.
(10/28)
Matsuzaka's winning effort eventful
Piece of cake
Former Seibu Lions teamates Kaz
Matsui and Daisuke Matsuzaka
will face off against one another for the first time when Matsuzaka
starts Game 3 of the World Series in Denver. For Matsuzaka, it will
be
a new challenge as he pitches at thin air Coors' Field for the first
time.
(10/26) |
Dice-K vs. Matsui in Game 3
Dice-K confronts new challenge
"Asia Spring Training/Opening Day."
Major League Baseball is moving
forward on playing
Spring Training games this coming March in Beijing, China,
and the season opener in
Tokyo, Japan a week later. MLB
has already opened the season
twice to sellout crowds with
two-game sets at Tokyo Dome back in both 2000 and 2004.
(10/25) |
Games in China, Japan almost set
"ALCS/NLCS Notes, Cont."
It was Daisuke Matsuzaka's
redemption song after all.
Matsuzaka watched his team climb back into the ALCS
against the Cleveland Indians, providing him with the
chance to move beyond his recent woes and push
Boston Red Sox back to baseball's promised land.
Matsuzaka finished the night
pitching 5 innings, allowing
2 runs on 6 hits to go with 3 strikeouts. Matsuzaka did
not issue a walk and 62 out of the 88 pitches thrown was
for strikes. Hideki Okajima relieved Matsuzaka by pitching
two scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits. Boston Red Sox
broke the game open late and defeat the Cleveland Indians
11 - 2, advancing to the World Series against Colorado Rockies.
(10/22)
Dice-K shows his worth, wins Game 7
Bring on the Rockies
After two shaky playoff outings,
Daisuke Matsuzaka
will start decisive Game 7 with the season on the line.
(10/21)
Dice-K seeks redemption, Series berth
The Boston Red Sox are hoping for an
improvement
from Daisuke Matsuzaka. But they are not considering
any other rotation options. One problem, manager
Terry Francona said, is that there are no other options.
(10/19) |
Farrell supports Matsuzaka
"Updated Numbers."
Stats of players who played in
2007 have been added to
their own pages on the Far East Heroes
section, also the All-Time Statistics page have
also been updated through 2007.
(10/19) |
"Minor League News, Cont."
Kazuhito Tadano has been
released by the Oakland Athletics,
Tadano spent all of the last two season in the Minor League
after being traded to Oakland by Cleveland Indians.
(10/17) | Minor
League Transactions (October 6 - October 15)
"All-Star Award."
Ichiro was selected by Major
League players and managers to
The Sporting News American League All-Star team. Ichiro is
joined in the outfield with Magglio Ordonez of Detroit Tigers
and Vladimir Guerrero of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
(10/16) |
Ichiro named Sporting News All-Star
"ALCS/NLCS Notes."
Daisuke Matsuzaka would not
field any questions after
losing Game 3 of the ALCS. Matsuzaka's brief statement
through his interpreter was "As you saw, I
allowed them
to score first and I wasn't able to hang on after giving
up the lead. I wanted to do everything I could today
to win and hand it over to Wakefield in a good way." (10/16)
Dice-K at a loss for words
Confidence in Dice-K
Kaz Matsui and Colorado Rockies swept
their NLCS series
against Arizona Diamondbacks, it will be Rockies' 1st
World Series appearance since their team debut in 1994.
(10/16) Rox the World: Colorado in Fall Classic
"Minor League News."
Ching-Lung Lo is being assigned
by Colorado Rockies to play in
the Arizona Fall League. Tampa Bay Devil Rays granted Jae Seo
his free agency and he is now available to sign with any other
29 teams, and Hideo Nomo is trying to make a comeback by
playing for the Caracas Lions in the Venezuelan Winter League.
(10/10) | Minor
League Transactions (September 28 - October 5) Nomo to take
part in Venezuelan Winter League
"Rocking Rockies."
A lot of late season success by
the Colorado Rockies are
contributed by Kaz Matsui, and he is hitting well at the leadoff
spot for the injured Willy Taveras during the postseason.
Next up for Matsui and the Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks.
(10/9) |
Matsui living in the present
"ALDS/NLDS Notes, Cont."
19 games winner Chien-Ming Wang
got hit hard against
Cleveland Indians in Game 1, he will start Game 4 at
the Bronx, where he had much more success this season.
(10/8)
Wang gets chance to show true ability
Daisuke Matsuzaka had a disappointing
postseason debut,
and manager Terry Francona would like him to be more
aggressive going against the hitters during his next start.
(10/7)
Confidence in Dice-K
Despite not being fully healthy,
Hideki Matsui is given
the trust by Joe Torre as he will again DH against the
Cleveland Indians in Game 2 of their ALDS series.
(10/5)
Torre sticks with ailing Matsui
Kaz Matsui's MLB career is just
getting more exciting after
years of frustration with the New York Mets. Matsui hit only
four homers in 410 ABs during the regular season, but he had
a Grand Slam in Game 2 of the NLDS for the Colorado Rockies,
which powered their way over Philadelphia Phillies
10 - 5.
Chien-Ming Wang was hit hard early and
often. Wang
pitched only 4 2/3 innings, where he allowed 8 runs on
9 hits (2 homers) with 4 walks to go with 2 strikeouts.
New York Yankees lose to Cleveland Indians
12 - 3.
(10/4) |
Revival continues for Matsui
Wang falters as Yanks drop Game 1
"ALDS Notes."
Daisuke Matsuzaka will take on
the Los Angeles Angels
of Anaheim in Game 2 of the series, Matsuzaka will
take on the Angels for the 1st time in his career.
Chien-Ming Wang got the nod to
start Game 1 of the
series against Cleveland Indians, Wang won the only
postseason game for the New York Yankees last season.
For the last few months, the poll
on the left side asked how many
games do you think Daisuke Matsuzaka will win in 2007, 39% of
people were right on the money as Matsuzaka won 15 games.
A new poll is up, please vote on which potential Major Leaguers
you are most interested to see coming from Japan
for next season.
"2007 Far East Major Leaguers Review."
Here are the stats for all
the Asian players that have see time
in the Majors this year. Former Major Leaguers Sun Woo Kim and
Kazuhito Tadano spend the entire season in the Minor League.
Hitters: AB - H - Avg. - R - RBIs -
HR - SB
Shin-Soo Choo:
17 - 5 - .294 - 5 - 5 - 0 - 0 Injured and played
in AAA for most of the season.
Chin-Lung Hu:
29 - 7 - .241 - 5 - 5 - 2 - 0 Newest Asian players
in the MLB with a great year in the Minor League.
Ichiro: 678
- 238 - .351 - 111 - 68 - 6 - 37 Another great
All-Star performance year.
Tadahito Iguchi:
465 -
124 - .267 - 67 - 43
- 9 - 14 Struggled in
Chicago, but hit the ball well after trade to Philadelphia.
Akinori Iwamura:
491 -
140 - .285 - 82 - 34
- 7 - 12 Successful
transition on both the bat and glove to the MLB.
Daisuke Matsuzaka:
204.2 - 15 - 12 - 0 -
4.40 - 201 - 80 Looked tired during
most of his August/September outings.
Tomo Ohka: 56 - 2 - 5 - 0 - 5.79 - 21 - 22 Did not pitch in the
MLB again after being released by the Blue Jays.
Hideki Okajima:
69 - 3 - 2 - 5 - 2.22 -
63 - 17 Strong 1st half did
not carry on into the 2nd half.
Akinori Otsuka: 32.1 - 2 - 1 - 4 - 2.51 -
23 - 9 Missed the last
3-months after experience sore in his elbow.
Chan Ho Park: 4 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 15.75 - 4 - 2 Bad spot start with
the Mets, pitched bad down in AAA also.
Jae Kuk Ryu: 23.1 - 1 -
2 - 0 - 7.33 - 14 -
11 Trouble against
Major League hitters, spend about 2/3 of season in AAA.
Takashi Saito:
64.1 - 2 - 1 - 39 - 1.40 -
78 - 13 Great year, one of
the top reliever in MLB the last two years.
Jae Seo: 52 - 3 - 4 - 0 - 8.13 - 28 - 16 Pitched terrible in
the MLB, pitched very well in AAA.
Chin-Hui Tsao: 24.2 - 0 - 1 - 0 -
4.38 - 16 -
8 After missing all of
2006, pitched fairly before being sidelined again.
Chien-Ming Wang: 199.1 -
19 - 7 - 0 - 3.70 - 104 - 59 Won 19 games once
more, struck out a bit more hitters this year.
(10/3) |
Copyright 2008 Frank's Field of Dreams. Any
reproduction, copying, or redistribution for commercial
purposes of any materials or design elements of the website is strictly
prohibited without the prior
written consent of the webmaster. All rights reserved. This website is an
unofficial and independent
source of baseball news and information, and is not affiliated with any player,
team or, league.
mas
20%