If we are to believe that the Mets are finally scouring the
foreign shores for bargains, er, talent, perhaps they ought to cast an eye over
the Pacific to consider the now free agent Yoshihisa Hirano. He’s just finished up a three year 900
million yen contract (about $8 million US dollars) to save games for the Orix
Buffaloes. He’s turning 34 and knows it’s
now or never to make it to the USA for one final decent payday.
Why should he be on the Mets’ radar?
Well, after converting to full time reliever he has done a fantastic job. His last two years included ERAs of 1.92 and 2.67, so it doesn’t appear as if he’s slowing down. His strikeout numbers have come down a bit but so too have his walks as he’s become more of a pitcher than a thrower.
If you look past his losing record of 48-69 for his career,
he has posted a 3.10 ERA for his entire career with a 3.88 K to BB ratio. His WHIP is entirely respectable at
1.159. So if you’re looking for bullpen talent that won’t break the
bank, perhaps a $3 million per year season for 2 years might bring this solid
arm to Queens.
Another setup guy worth considering is the Nippon Ham Fighters' 32 year old left handed hurler Naoki Miyanishi. Never having been a starter nor a closer, the numbers that usually jump off the page such as wins or saves aren't there. However, dig a little deeper and you find that for his entire career he has a 2.45 ERA over a ten year span and a WHIP of just 1.117. How would he look as a lefty complement to Jerry Blevins? Does anyone realistically think Josh Smoker is a better bet?
There is precedent for a somewhat aging Japanese reliever crossing the pond to find major league success. You have to look no further than Koji Uehara who after arriving here in 2009 at the same age of 34 has put together an American record of 22-26 with a 2.66 ERA and an eye-popping 0.890 WHIP with an astounding 7.33 K to BB ratio. (Incidentally the now 43 year old Uehara is a senior citizen free agent I’d much sooner see in orange and blue than either R.A. Dickey or Bartolo Colon).
Another setup guy worth considering is the Nippon Ham Fighters' 32 year old left handed hurler Naoki Miyanishi. Never having been a starter nor a closer, the numbers that usually jump off the page such as wins or saves aren't there. However, dig a little deeper and you find that for his entire career he has a 2.45 ERA over a ten year span and a WHIP of just 1.117. How would he look as a lefty complement to Jerry Blevins? Does anyone realistically think Josh Smoker is a better bet?
There is precedent for a somewhat aging Japanese reliever crossing the pond to find major league success. You have to look no further than Koji Uehara who after arriving here in 2009 at the same age of 34 has put together an American record of 22-26 with a 2.66 ERA and an eye-popping 0.890 WHIP with an astounding 7.33 K to BB ratio. (Incidentally the now 43 year old Uehara is a senior citizen free agent I’d much sooner see in orange and blue than either R.A. Dickey or Bartolo Colon).
Let’s see some fresh thinking for a change. Mickey Callaway was a good start. Don’t make him the only new idea of the
off-season.
6 comments:
Bring a few in and box scores will become Bento Box scores.
As you see, we have split the minor league expertise between three Mets writers:
Reese: Asian
Mack: Latin
Tom: Tebow
If they bring in some talent from ANYWHERE then the fans won't be committing harikari
"Tebow" involves expertise from a whole different galaxy.
If it will get us Otani, we can sign ALL of those Japanese relievers. It takes a village.
Thankfully the village idiot is gone. However, his idiocracy mentor remains in the front office.
I was wondering how long you could go without kicking the equus mortis. 😈
I put very little credence in Japan stats, which are AAA at best. Kaz was a STAR there,and Bobby V, who managed against him there, said he was better than Hideki.
The Yankees paid huge money for Hideki "I robbed you", and earned the nickname "fat toad" from George. The other Japanese pitcher signed at the same time ended up taking many millions from George to pitch for years in the minors.
It's one thing to cherry pick the stars from there, but they are far outweighed by those who flopped completely or only reached mediocrity.
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