Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

[Misfit]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Man, he owns that one power hitter.

But, I noticed that he tips his off-speed pitches. Right now, I don't know how it's viewed from the hitter's perspective, but he has a full follow thru on his fastballs - his leg even rises up ala Pedro Martinez. He cuts off his motion on off-speed pitches.

Of course, I'm not up there facing 96 mph, but it was once said that Nomo's fastball became hittable once hitters learned to read his split-finger.

If its just his follow-thru that's different then it doesn't matter as by the time the hitter registers that the follow-thru changed the ball is already past the hitting zone. Bronson Arroyo is an example of a pitcher with a different follow-thru on his fastball, he typically hops off the mound after releasing the ball.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Padres are interested in him, but I don't think he's the Japanese player they'll land this year.

At his potential price, would rather use that to shore up a big bat then use the rest on the plethora of remaining starters.

[Trapper700]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Unless he learns how to throw a two-seamer or sinker he's going to follow every other Japanese pitcher into oblivion.

He throws a "reverse slider", called a shuuto, it's one of two pitches he throws that's often been mistaken for what some would call the "gyroball." The shuuto is more closely related to a two seamer, sinker or screwball, since it has a greater velocity than sliders, with less break.

That being said, I would be very suprised if the Yankees don't sign Matsuzaka. They recently hired Soichi Kida (who was senior to Matsuzaka at Yokohama High School as well as was briefly on the Seibu Lions when they drafted Matsuzaka) as their associate scout in Japan. Also there were rumors that Matsuzaka only wanted to go to teams with good Japanese relations such as the Yankees and Mariners. Add the fact that the rumored amounts of posting fee will be reaching $20 million and that none of the other free agent pitchers can be considered "power pitchers," I'd say that he's all but a lock to be a Yankee in 2007. They've learned that the Asians aren't as bad as previously experienced with Irabu. Just look at Chien Ming Wang's success, as well as Hideki Matsui's.

Irabu:
741 IP
3.86 ERA
1.88 K/BB
1.39 WHIP
9 seasons in japan
59 wins
1111k's
14+ wins once
10+ wins 3 times
posted at 28 yrs old

Matsuzaka:
1346 IP
2.97 ERA
2.62 K/BB
1.15 WHIP
93 wins in 7 seasons
1141k's
Won 14 or more 5 times
16 or more wins 3 times
10 or more 6 times.
currently 26 years old

I think it's worth it for the yankees to take a huge gamble on daisuke. He's the only pitcher available through "free agency" this offseason where all he will cost is money (and no draft pick compensation), something the Yankees have a lot of. He's also the only one available that I'd say has "ace" type material.

[elicoleman]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

His stuff is filthy.

[Kenage]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I say do not count out the Mariners in signing him. Owned by Nintendo chief so he has the money. Also has to make Kaz happy and signing a fellow Japanese stud player might help out negotiations.

[CMH]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

He throws a "reverse slider", called a shuuto, it's one of two pitches he throws that's often been mistaken for what some would call the "gyroball." The shuuto is more closely related to a two seamer, sinker or screwball, since it has a greater velocity than sliders, with less break.

Well then, I think he'll be successful.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Anyone know why the Seibu Lions are letting him go? Sure, they're probably getting tens of millions in settlement for him, but they lose the workhorse and ace of their pitching staff. And from what little I've read, the Lions aren't even that good to begin with, so...

[NYJets]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Anyone know why the Seibu Lions are letting him go? Sure, they're probably getting tens of millions in settlement for him, but they lose the workhorse and ace of their pitching staff. And from what little I've read, the Lions aren't even that good to begin with, so...

Well they are going to get a lot of money, and I think his contract is up after this year, so if they hold onto for one more year, he'll just leave next year and they won't get anything.

I'm not positive about that though.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Well they are going to get a lot of money, and I think his contract is up after this year, so if they hold onto for one more year, he'll just leave next year and they won't get anything.

I'm not positive about that though.

Ah, thanks, you're right.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20061013TDY19004.htm

If the team waits until after next season, when the 26-year-old becomes a free agent, it will get nothing for him. Through the posting system, the Lions can earn millions of dollars from the highest bidder, just as Orix got from the Seattle Mariners for Ichiro Suzuki.

[EaglesFan]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

lol@ fat, wish I was that fat!!

[bullpen45]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I have seen this guy pitch maybe 10 or 15 times in the last 2 years.
Matsuzaka will be THE best japanese pitcher to have pitched in the majors.
The main difference is , he's in his prime.

The Seibu Lions are letting him go , because they have already said "NO" to him 2 years in a row, and he has always said that his goal was to pitch in the majors.

My guess is , he's going to the Yankees

[ehh]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Hopefully the Yanks get him, we're desperate this off season.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I have seen this guy pitch maybe 10 or 15 times in the last 2 years.
Matsuzaka will be THE best japanese pitcher to have pitched in the majors.
The main difference is , he's in his prime.

The Seibu Lions are letting him go , because they have already said "NO" to him 2 years in a row, and he has always said that his goal was to pitch in the majors.

My guess is , he's going to the Yankees

Actually, it's because Matsuzaka is on his final year of contract... so they'd rather get something rather than let him walk.

See the article I linked to earlier.

[Jetsfan119]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I dont know, i read that the mets were going to persue him 100% this offseason and make him their prime target. And to be totally honest the mets have much more to offer, they are a team entering their prime with reyes, wright, delgado, beltran, lo duca. then the yankees who seem ready for a complete overhaul. I hope the mets can get this guy, even though all the asian players we bring in end up sucking (kaz, shinjo)

[Trapper700]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I dont know, i read that the mets were going to persue him 100% this offseason and make him their prime target. And to be totally honest the mets have much more to offer, they are a team entering their prime with reyes, wright, delgado, beltran, lo duca. then the yankees who seem ready for a complete overhaul. I hope the mets can get this guy, even though all the asian players we bring in end up sucking (kaz, shinjo)

despite what you say as "having more to offer" it all depends on who gives the most money to the seibu lions in the sealed bids during posting. Matsuzaka has no say as to what team he wants to go to this season. Well, I guess he could refuse to sign with a team if he wanted to, because if he refuses to negotiate a contract after posting, he could just go to Japan and play there for another year then just become a free agent next season.

I highly doubt the mets are going to be able to outbid a team like the Yankees who are obviously going to be looking for pitching this offseason, especially since Mussina is a FA as well. The mets might have the "inside track" with the latin american players because of minaya and the rest of the latin american players on the roster, but the Yankees and Mariners have closer ties to Japan. I still think the Mets are going to end up with Zito instead.