Yesterday, we passed along reports that the Seattle Mariners were going after Japanese free agent starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. Iwakuma nearly came stateside a year ago before he and the Oakland A's failed to reach an agreement, and his skills remain largely intact. We concluded that Iwakuma would be an interesting and appealing add at the right price.
Today, we have this, from Sponichi and translated by Patrick Newman:
"We've received terms from a number of clubs, but considering where I'm needed and an environment my family can live in, at present we're closest to a contract with the Mariners," Iwakuma said.
It's hard to say how much this adds, but it definitely paints the picture of the Mariners being the favorite. So, before long, the Mariners could have a new starting pitcher on their hands. Or they could not, if things go wrong from here, since nothing is yet official. Iwakuma would be an interesting and appealing add at the right price.
I don't know what to say for the rest of this post, since I described Iwakuma like 24 hours ago, so...oh, hey, I've got it. A certain criticism of this move, if this move gets made, is that the Mariners should be focusing on their terrible run production, rather than their adequate run prevention. "Have you not seen this offense!" they'll exclaim. "This offense needs more than John Jaso!"
But, as the highly intelligent and moderately intelligent among you understand, the Mariners need to focus on improving however they can, wherever they can. The starting rotation is not great right now. It could be great before too long, but it is not a rotation that couldn't stand to be upgraded, and the Mariners apparently think of Iwakuma as a probable upgrade. That's good. We should be encouraging upgrades, provided they don't come at an unreasonable cost.
Besides, it's not like the Mariners only get one more move. They could add Iwakuma - or another starting pitcher - and also add a bat or two. I think the Mariners would openly admit that they'd like to boost the lineup, and the Mariners don't openly admit very much. Jack Zduriencik is the world's worst dinner company because he won't talk about what he wants to order until he orders.
Anyhoo, Hisashi Iwakuma. He could be a Mariner soon. Judgment will be reserved until Iwakuma makes a decision and terms are revealed, but for now it's just nice to have a rumor.
0 recs | 11 comments
I am liking this idea.
ThundaPC - January 3, 2012
If he's in Japan, then if he's leaning towards the Mariners, he's leaning towards America in general. That doesn't tell me much.
If we get him to show up in Tacoma or Portland or somewhere in the Pacific Northwest and he’s still leaning towards the Mariners, then I think we can make something of it.
If he is leaning toward the Mariners, then It’s a good thing he’s a pitcher, because as a pitcher the Mariners would be surrounding him, and he would finally get his posture issues fixed. But also I imagine we could get him on a cheap deal, because it would be silly for Texas to sign a pitcher who is constantly leaning towards another team.
Two Rs and Two Ls - January 3, 2012
That was elaborate.
FaceRuiner - January 3, 2012 via mobile
This is true, I went to Olive Garden with Jack Zduriencik yesterday and he mentioned he was leaning towards the all you can eat soup, salad and breadsticks.
However, he did not commit to which soup until the waitress arrived. Pasta e Fagioli.
Matsui - January 3, 2012
It's always good to add talent.
Intelligence: It make sense to bolster the pitching staff when the opportunity arises.
Gut: Yeah, right.
PackBob - January 3, 2012
bet he is cheaper then Yu
RangerMad - January 3, 2012 via Android app
I bet the Dow Jones index closes tomorrow below 15,000
Matthew - January 3, 2012
You have a strange impression of how much Mariners fans actually make
seattlebruin - January 3, 2012
GOTCHA BITCH
abender20 - January 3, 2012
Conditional statements are wonderful.
Where do you think the line is for signing him? Obviously if he took a deal like the A’s reportedly offered (4 years at about $15 mil) would be an unbelievable steal requiring sacrificed virgins and/or forfeited souls. With the comparisons people are making to Kurado coming over, do you think a 3 year deal in the mid $30 million range would still be in the “good signing” range? What if it ends up 3/$45 or 4/$60? I’m curious about where to really draw that line.
I think it’s certainly worth considering. The team isn’t going to get to contention next year just by signing free agent hitting. It might get there by signing free agent hitting and then having a tremendous amount of luck, but shooting for improving the team where possible and then having that tremendous amount of luck is probably the wisest course.
Sidi - January 4, 2012
Kuroda.
Gah.
Sidi - January 4, 2012
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