Yankees sign two players from China
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- June
- 18
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Greetings from the JetBlue terminal at JFK. I just got this e-mail from the Yankees …
YANKEES SIGN TWO PLAYERS FROM PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed left-handed pitcher Kai Liu and catcher Zhenwang Zhang to minor league contracts, becoming the first Major League team to sign a player from the People’s Republic of China with approval from the Chinese Baseball Association.
The 19-year old Liu began playing baseball in 2000 for the Guangdong Province team. In addition to his playing career in the six-team Chinese Baseball League with the Guangdong Leopards, he was chosen to participate as a member of the People’s Republic of China National Team.
Zhang, 19, began his playing career in 1998 in the Municipality of Tianjin. He helped lead his team, the Tianjin Lions, to the CBL championship series in three of the past five seasons (2002, 2005 and 2006) and was selected to represent his country as a member of the PRC National Team. Zhang also participated in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Both players will be introduced at a formal press conference at Yankee Stadium on Friday, July 6. Following the press conference, the players will report to the Yankees Player Development Complex in Tampa, Florida.
Brian Cashman, Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager, said, “This is an exciting opportunity for us to integrate Chinese players into the organization. We believe that this is the start of something we can develop further as we work toward our commitment to help grow the game of baseball in China.�
The Yankees first announced their working agreement with the Chinese Baseball Association at a press conference in Beijing, China on January 29.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
becoming the first Major League team to sign a player from the People’s Republic of China with approval from the Chinese Baseball Association.
Wha?? You mean to tell me that the Chinese Baseball Association has never approved of any player signing? Next thing you know you’ll tell me they’re run by some kind of dictatorship.
i’ve always believed in quality in quantity, so good for the Yanks.
any scouting reports out there? box scores from the WBC?
look for lucifer lucchino to make some crappy annoucement about the red sox signing a batboy out of china next week just to show how “in” the sox are with China. that weasel is always riding the Yankees’ coattails.
We should have made the Chinese goverment take Pavano.
Neither player actually played in the WBC, Zhang was on the roster but doesn’t seem to have played. Makes sense as he was 17 or 18 at the time.
Are you kidding me?
These players started their pro careers at 10 and 12???
Is the talent this bad in China? Or are the young people just so damn good?
Gator’s gotta start boning up on all the Asian languages now… How do you say “arm slot” in Chinese?
Any chance Girardi doesnt go to the O’s?
That was fast. These guys must have been on the radar already and probably got sized for unis in January. I’m pretty much sure that Wang can help Gator with the translation.
Neither – China with all of their athletes will give them special treatment, housing them at dormitories and training centers.
This is because (unfortunately) many people in China do not make a lot of money, and don’t have fantastic nutrition and physical conditioning capabilities. China believes in perfection from their athletes. You see these stories during the olympic coverage all the time.
Ryan,
Joe’s not sitting and waiting to become the next Yankee skipper. He knows it’s Donnie’s job. If he waits long enough maybe other jobs open up.
Are these guys legit major league prospects or do they project as organizational filler?
Ryan, That was my initial thought too, but given the reputation of the ownership there, and Joe’s problems with Fla’s ownership last year, I could see him thinking twice about accepting that position. Just seems like an all-around bad situation in Baltimore.
Huuz, I think Theo and Larry “Lucifer” Lucchino already make big splash.. Redsox are copycats. A Taiwan media reported that Red Sox and Taiwanese outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin who just graduated from high school reached an agreement. The signing will be announced soon. It rumored that Lin will get 375K as signing bonus.
Red China now has a Formula 1 race and two players sign with the New York Yankees? Those of us who grew up with the horrors of the Great Leap Forward (25 million starve to death) and Cultural Revolution (take doctors and make them become farmers) used to dream of this.
Girardi should be managing. It’s just too bad the timing isn’t right for it to be with the Yankees. However, I really wish it wasn’t going to be for another AL East team.
What I don’t understand is why Joe didn’t take any jobs open last year (assuming he was offered, and for all I know, maybe he wasn’t) only to take an awful job with the horrible Orioles.
Why would Wang be able to help with translation? He is from Taiwan (they don’t much like mainland China there, last I heard)?
This is interesting though. As baseball becomes more and more international, there will have to be a whole new level of management that deals with intercultural relations and translation. Interesting, exciting, and a little scary, too.
Ryan, maybe he won’t take the Orioles job. He should interview, though. After last season, I believe he was asked about the Washington Nationals manager job, but turned down the opportunity, saying it wasn’t right for his family.
I think it’s more correct to say that the Communists in China don’t like Taiwan, not the Chinese people themselves.
It wasn’t all that long ago that the Orioles had a decent team, and a lot of people believed that this year they would be doing much better than they actually are. The Nationals, well, no one really knew where that team was going. They were giving away players, not obtaining them. Baltimore did a lot of work in the off-season to try and make some corrections to their pitching staff. It’s probably not a bad move for Girardi to go there, if he chooses to do so. I’ll miss him on Yankees’ games, though.
As I Lay Dying -
Yes, I meant the country as a governmental entity, not the individual people.
what’s next? yankees start playing some home games in china like the expos?
I really hope Joe G doesn’t take the O’s job. It’s not that I don’t think he can succeed there, cause I think they have good players. I won’t be able to root for him. Anywhere else but the al east i’d be able to root for him. Maybe he should wait on the white soxs job, seems like ozzie is on thin ice.
and i dont think girardi would go to a division rival (wrong adjective?) when the yankee job will almosy definitely be open at the end of this year. if he stays in the broadcast booth then he can interview for the yankee job and hopefully get it. if he doesnt, then he can go any place who wants him; if im a managerial candidate, i dont want to go to the orioles, who are probably planning a fire sale sometime soon.
Jennifer, I feel the same way.
Thats true, there are rumors that they might move Tejada.
“We should have made the Chinese goverment take Pavano.”
Drew, I would prefer not starting a war with the Chinese.
To those who think the Red Sox are copying the Yankees. This last off season the Sox signed both Dice-K and Okajima. Dice-K has struggled some but still has a respectable record of 8-5 with an ERA of 4.18 Okajima has been outstanding with an ERA of 1.04. The Yankees response? Sign Igawa who has an ERA of 7.63 and is in the minors because he has been so bad. Sorry to confuse you with the facts.
If they’re planning on moving Tejada, and perhaps getting rid of other players, I can’t see why Girardi would take the job. They already did a similar thing when he took the Marlins job. He accepted thinking he had one team to manage, and ended up with a team full of rookies, minus any of the “stars” he thought he had. He’d be good at it, but why would you want to do that again?
“Lucifer” Lucchino was so jealous of Wang’s success last year winning 19 games and Matsui who has solid career for the Yankees, They to match Yankees by signing Dice-K and Okajima by entering Japanese Market.
Who’s copycat now?
Don’t know, but I hope for his sake where ever he goes he gets some sort of guarantee as to what players will be with the team when he takes over.
We were copycats by signing Igawa.
ray,
That’s a great argument you have there. That’s one instance. The counterpoints are many, but to highlight a few…Yankees increase payroll to get good players, Boston follows suit (i.e. Lugo & Drew)….Yankees tap into the Japanese market YEARS ago and Red Sox Nation think they’ve discovered that there are good players in the Land of the Rising Sun… Yankees draft unsignable players for +slot money, Boston follows suit…The Yankees are always ahead of the curve. Boston catches up, but by the time they do it, everyone in New England, including ESPN, thinks that it’s new and original and that the Red Sox are innovative and cutting edge. But big props for signing Matsuzaka. that was quite a coup.
If the pay is right Giradi might take it but that is a tough job to take. They are offering FA’s big money deals and they all pass on them. Angelos is not a great owner and that team has been bad for several years now. I don’t think they are even close to competing either. Unless Giradi is going into it for money only I don’t see him taking the job. Their will be better job open this offseason like the White Sox who have some solid core guys and a decent minor league system.
Igawa was considered #5 starter not level of Dice-k or Ichiro.. Igawa ’s not considered top talent coming out from Japan..
Yankees already have Matsui, why would they copy Redsox? Igawa’s will cost less than Lily and Meche. This is will not count on luxury tax and it will cost The Yankees less money to spend.
Where are the good young players people are talking about on the Orioles other than Eric Bedard? Anyone have a rating on their minor league system? I don’ think it is very good. To me, that is one of the worst run organizations in baseball. Girardi should realize he will have better opportunites at year end outside of the AL East. He should wait it out. Let them hire Buck Showalter.
Who did the Yanks sign out of the Japanese market years ago? I hope you aren’t talking about the “Fat Toad” b/c no one would copy that.
Oops, Matsui, my bad. I was thinking pitching for some reason and couldn’t think of any.
Irabu? Yes I’m admit He was Bust .. Did Redsox signed Nomo a while ago and pitch for them?
WS, it seems like you are arguing that Wang is Japanese but he is in fact from Taiwan.
Mel, I will grant you that the Red Sox have copied the Yankees in some cases. And I will even admit that the “evil empire” references by Sox management a couple years ago was a bit ridiculous because even though the Yankees payroll is the largest in baseball the Sox have shown they are quite willing to spend money.
Of course it pains me greatly to admit that the Yankee organization has had great success over the years so if another team has the resources to use some of the same strategies I think that is not all that surprising.
They didn’t sign Nomo out of Japan.
Nick B.
My point was that Matsuzaka is not the first Japanese “player” to come here from Japan. “Fat Toad” was before my time, but Matsui’s not too shabby.
I know that.. Nomo was signed by Dodgers. Ray, All I’m saying The Redsox management has finally opened up to Far east and searching premium talents that they could grab like Yankees.
ray:
i know sox fans aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawah, but China (Kai Liu and Zhenwang Zhang) and Japan (dice-BB) are different countries.
while Japan has had many MLB players already, China has not. this is why it is news. this is why the sox are likely already scrambling.
you should be used to the Yankee shadow by now.
…now back to sour grapes regarding a-rod for you…
I don’t have the exact years right in front of me but Nomo did pitch for the Sox I think a couple years and actually pitched a no hitter for them.
Nick B.
HaHa, must be contagious today. Buster said in his chat that a week ago Jermaine Dye would’ve gotten his vote for MVP. Brain cramp. He meant to say Magglio Ordonez. Of course, Alex is his choice right now.
Igawa 2.0 will surprise us.
The Devil Rays scare me. All of those lightning fast 20 year olds with decent power.
If only they were mature enough mentally…
As far as Pavano goes… at least it’s not Matt Clement
Huuz
No way…China and Japan are different countries?? lol Thank you for the geography lesson. I am well aware that they are different countries and it will be interesting how the Chinese players do.
Willie Randolph wasn’t interested in the O’s job when Mazzilli took it, for reasons mentioned, bad ownership and bad terms (Maz couldn’t pick his coaches, setup for failure). I would imagine Girardi would be smart enough to learn from Maz’s mistakes and Willie’s foresight and pass on any job there unless those conditions change or have changed.
the Yankees are copycats! no the Sox are copycats!
Yankees are rubber, Sox are glue…
seriously, has it come to this?
aNdYam,
I, too, think that Igawa 2.0 will be a (hopefully pleasant) surprise. I hope to god they fixed him b/c there’s no return policy. He was a good pitcher in Japan, so I think he’ll be o.k. At least we know that he can pitch with runners on base. lol.
Re: Rays, they’ve given us fits the last couple of years. Just got keep ‘em off base, especially after the whole world saw the Mets running on us at will. It was very satisfying to get Gomez and Reyes, though. And I’m sure that Reyes would give back those stolen bases in exchange for that last AB against Wang.
I don’t think Girardi is going to take the job. I think he is waiting till next year when Mattingly takes over as Manager and believes he will be hired as the bench coach, which he should be.
Honestly, I think he should be the manager and Mattingly should remain bench coach, but that would be disrespectful to Mattingly.
aNdYam
Help me understand how Pavano has been better than Matt Clement. At least we got a few games out of Clement and it seems like Pavano has been a complete bust!
That assumes Torre won’t be brought back, which is not as much of a foregone conclusion as some people seem to think. He seems as though he’ll still want to manage next year, and despite his haters on here, has been praised by his players and coaches for keeping things together this year. That’s not the first time that’s happened and this off-season wasn’t the first time we wondered if he’d be back.
Don’t give Donnie the job just yet, my guess is we’ll see Torre for 2 more years.
Polyanna “Porkchop” Pough has been unable to post to this site. We are not certain if PPP has been banned or if this is a glitch. But PPP’s health is fine and would like to share further comments and prophecies. If anyone has suggestions as to where these posts may be welcome, whether here or elsewhere, feel free to suggest.
Marius,
You should go to mlb page at SI.com. They did an interview w/ Donnie. He gave a really long, lame, circular answer to the first question which was about Torre as a father figure. But they did talk about managing for the Yankees, etc. I kind of got the sense that Donnie has really taken a lot from Torre and would manage the same way. Although he’d have to be a better bullpen manager by default. At this point, it seems like Donnie would be the better fit with this group of superstar veterans. Personally, if this team accomplishes its mission this year, I feel that Torre deserves another year. I know that’s whack to a lot of haters, but the Torre era has been a good one and the players love him.
are you guys comparing Pavano to Clement? Why don’t we just go to a local beer league softball game and argue over who’s the best 40-year old fat guy running to first with a cup of Bud in his hand…
That would be about as useful as comparing 2 broken down free-agent busts.
Chris NY,
Yeah, that’s like comparing a totalled Porsche to a broken down VW. Neither one does you any good.
PPP,
I was wondering where the Lambchop was. Don’t worry though, other posters have been pounding Roger’s fist for you.
mel, I read that Donnie interview. I didn’t understand the question, why would Donnie think of Torre as a father figure? He never played for Torre.
Jeter, Posada, Mo, Clemens even could think of Joe that way, but Mattingly was brought in a few years ago as a cooach, and coaches view managers as piers.
I was surprised’s in Donnie’s answers that he never said, “if” I get the job. He just went along with the questioner’s assumption that he is the heir apparent. Normally he comes off as more humble in that regard.
To bad for Donnie, he will have to manage in the spotlight of NY and the shadow of Torre when the time comes.
Are the Yankees better team without Giambi’s in the lineup? I would say yes and they scored 7.1 runs per game with absence of Giambi.. I hope Giambi never came back and Selig suspend him for fifty games…
Pete: Hillenbrand coming to the Bronx?
The Zhanger and the Wanger
Hillenbrand?
Hillenbrand doesn’t have much pop and plays so-so defense from what I remember. But, believe it or not, his attitude is the worst of his traits. This team just got its act together and is rolling for the first time all season. While I realize somebody’s got to play 1st base, (somebody not named Phelps), what you don’t need now is a marginal player with a divisive personality who will probably kvetch and complain about something.
I hate to say it but hold the Hillenbrand and pass me the Phillips.
Hey hmmm! Good to see you again.
You know I suggested we go after Hillenbrand about a week ago and was shot down pretty hard. I had assumed he was a good defender, but was convinced otherwise. Since that time, Cairo has played outstanding and I have enjoyed his contributions. So I no longer think Shea is the answer at 1B and shouldn’t be considered even if we could get him super cheap.
I don’t think George King is a particularly reliable source.
I gotta say, playing in the NL parks is going to be tough picking players. We may play Tuesday with neither Posada nor Damon.
Shea only has to be better than Phelps. This team needs Cairo as a backup infielder on certain days and can play first on a few other days with a couple days off a week. Phelps isn’t the option so it looks like Hillenbrand might be. I would go in another direction but I guess if you get him for little and he contributes then he may be worth it. Pete if Phelps leaves who is going to be your new target.
I just hope a pitcher doesn’t try to take a big cut and get hurt. Always seems to happen to somebody. I don’t care if they go 0/30 during the next two series. You gotta remember that bench players become more valuable b/c they pinch hit for the pitcher a lot in late inning situations. So whoever doesn’t get in the lineup will get an AB later in the game for sure.
The Yankees don’t need anymore Red Sox rejects.
“Are the Yankees better team without Giambi’s in the lineup? I would say yes and they scored 7.1 runs per game with absence of Giambi..”
don’t confuse causation with correlation.
i just don’t see how Giambi getting hurt turned Abreu from a gaping black hole to an all-star at the plate. because that is why they have turned it around. Abreu, A-Rod, Jeter, Posada, and now Matsui have been powering this resurgence. not Damon, not Cairo, not Melky or anyone that is even related to the Giambi situation.
“I hate to say it but hold the Hillenbrand and pass me the Phillips.
Hey hmmm! Good to see you again.”
agreed on Hillenbrand. and thanks for the shout out. i’ve been watching the games but away from the computer for the most part…
I hate this Hillenbrand rumor. I was relieved when NY passed on him during the offseason and I would be furious if they picked him up now. There were players that we signed that I hated before they were Yankees (Boggs and Sheffield immediately come to mind), but I learned to like them. Hillenbrand would get no such consideration if he was on the Yankees.
Obviously Hillenbrand has had his run ins with team chemistry, while playing on struggling teams, but he is a righthanded bat with some pop (hitting 20+ HR in 2003 and 2006) and I think could be effective.
Jeff NJ -
I just couldn’t resist this correction:
*Jeter, Posada, Mo, Clemens even could think of Joe that way, but Mattingly was brought in a few years ago as a cooach, and coaches view managers as piers.
I guess because they harbor them???
Anyway, I posted on another thread that it doesn’t look like Hillenbrand is available now anyway due to the injury to Garrett Anderson. I’d much rather they get something done with Andy Phillips than bring in a outsider right now, unless Cashman pulls off the coup of the season by getting Teixeira really cheap.
And hmmm, I agree — it’s more coincidental that the winning started after Giambi left, because Abreu started to produce at the same time. However, Giambi wasn’t hitting well, either, so it does beg the question that we’ll never know the answer to: would they have turned it around with an unhealthy Giambi?
Girardi has nothing to lose by interviewing for the Orioles job, but I just can’t see him wanting to get himself into a similar situation as he had in Florida. But I’m sure that they would probably give him all kinds of assurances that they’re committed to turning the team around, etc. Then it’s up to him to find out/figure out what’s the truth and what’s the lie.
“However, Giambi wasn’t hitting well, either, so it does beg the question that we’ll never know the answer to: would they have turned it around with an unhealthy Giambi? ”
i agree that Giambi wasn’t hitting that well. and i’d even go so far as to say because Giambi wasn’t hitting, his injury hasn’t HURT them that much.
but that’s not the same as saying his absence is the reason for the turnaround.
the starters are pitching better and deeper.
the bullpen has been much better.
the schedule has been much easier.
they replaced Matt DeSalvo with Roger Clemens.
and the biggest reason:
Bobby Abreu:
April/May: .238/.313/.289
June: .407/.533/.678
i don’t have any reason for that. i really don’t. it doesn’t make any sense why Abreu was so bad in April and May and why he is doing so well now. but if we are going to say it is because Giambi got hurt, we might as well say it is because A-Rod shouted “HA!” at Howie Clark, b/c they happened on the same day.
Hopefully we signed some guys who have half as much going for them as Wang. He was nasty last night. Double digit Ks for Chien? As John Sterling often says “Who woulda thunk it?”
You guys know it’s hard to hit a baseball when you can’t plant on one of feet don’t you? How good do you want Giambi to be when he can’t even get power from his legs b/c of his foot?
Wang was sick last night. His slider was better than I have ever seen him throw it and his change was pretty good too. Add that to probably the best sinker in baseball and a very good fastball and you get a performance like last night. He looked unbeatable.
The reason why Abreau was so bad in April/May is because he was playing the AL teams then. And the reason why he is so good in June is becasue he is playing against the weak last position NL teams.
Nomo did pitch a no hitter and Clement went to the All Star game at 10-1 in 2005
hmmm-
You made me laugh with the “HA” reference. And I like the way you put it, since he wasn’t hitting, the injury didn’t hurt them any further.
Buck Martinez conjectured that perhaps the reason Abreu got off to such a slow start had something to do with the oblique muscle injury he suffered in spring training. Basically, he didn’t get conditioned in ST, then the season started, and basically it was ST for him. It’s a theory.
My husband is convinced the Phillies knew something was off with Abreu and that’s why they were so anxious to be rid of him. I don’t know. I don’t entirely agree with that, but I’ve been known to be too trusting, and I don’t look for conspiracy theories from every direction. I just hope Abreu keeps up the current pace, or at least very close to it.
I think it has all to do with the starting pitchers going deeper, getting a rhythm, have a routine. It then flows over in the more appropriate use of the bullpen. I think when the offense knows they have a chance to win, that the pitchers are going to keep them in the game, the pressure is off and the talent can shine.
The last several seasons, the Yankees have been doing it by beating the teams they are supposed to beat (the “easier” teams) and playing the tough teams tough and winning their share. It looks like they’ve turned it around to where that’s the situation again.
“And the reason why he is so good in June is becasue he is playing against the weak last position NL teams.”
except he hit against the Red Sox and White Sox and both the D-Backs and Mets were first place teams when we played them.
these are some of the pitchers he’s seen:
Wakefield
Schilling
Beckett
Garland
Beuhrle
Contreras
Vazquez
Gorzelanny
Webb
Livan Hernandez
Oliver Perez
Glavine
El Duque
that is a decent list of pitchers.
I wouldn’t be so certain that Mattingly has the manager job locked up when Joe Torre retires. There is definitely a reason that Joe Girardi was brought back to YES. Mattingly was a great player and he’s a fine bench coach. Joe Girardi, on the other hand, is a great manager and he has a great baseball mind. If George is still calling the shots I don’t see Mattingly managing. George will keep him around, but you’ve got to go with Girardi if you really want to win, and George does. IMO
does anyone know the feasibility of getting troy glaus and sticking him at first? can he play there? whats his injury/contract situation looking like? he is a big righty stick and proven winner.
Do you want A-Rod in the home run derby?
“There is definitely a reason that Joe Girardi was brought back to YES.”
Absolutely, but whether that reason is because he’s in the plans to manage someday or simply because he was out of a job and had done a good job with YES his first time around remains to be seen. While I think he would make a great manager, and he was for one year in FL, it was one year and I wouldn’t go that far as to assume he’s leaps and bounds better than Donnie, whom we’ve yet to see manage and who knows a thing or two about baseball himself.
fg, hell no. Look what that did for Abreu. Might just be superstition, but save A-Rod’s HR’s for gametime.
Chris NY –
Had the same reaction!
Plus, what does A-Rod have to prove????
“Do you want A-Rod in the home run derby?”
yes, this year the HR derby is called “June”.
A-Rod’s HR derby is everyday, hopefully he’ll continue that way and break Barry Big Head’s single season record now, then the career record in a few years. 160 RBI’s would/will be insane.
Verlander named AL player of the week
WHAT A RIP OFF!!
So he threw a no-no (”look at me, look at me”) and won two games, did it happen in the Bronx? No! And if it didn’t happen here, who cares!
Runners up: Ichiro (.516, 16 hits); Carlos Peña (.400, 1.050 SLG, 4 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI); Justin Morneau (.368, 3 HR, 8 RBI); ARod (.429, .952 SLG, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and Ace Bomber pitcher, CM Wang (2-0, 1.72 ERA, 12 SO, 15.2 IP).
Bonus coverage: Today’s Front Pages —>>> *here*:http://tinyurl.com/2pdtdw
Yesterday at our Father’s Day BBQ, my husband and my brother-in-law spoke about how they think the Yankees should really pursue Ichiro this winter. I don’t know. There’s something about him, yet you look at the numbers, and really, what a great lead-off hitter, no?
I guess a no-hitter trumps everything else, regarding player of the week.
you have to think about Ichiro’s age. he’ll be 34 1/2 come next April. This is his 16th year as a pro. Who knows how much tread is left. And he’ll want a 4 to 6 year deal, too.
Hey Rey this is not 38 pitches, Sox going down to the braves tonight, can’t wait
4 years might be worth it — he seems like a real competitor and very proud of his accomplishments, plus he keeps himself in excellent condition. But I’m always skeptical of anything over 4 years (except for A-Rod — sell the farm to keep him).
Talking about Ichiro.
A-Rod, for all his imperfections, is one of a kind.
Ichiro has a lot of years left in him. Yanks will be quite happy if they sign him long term. The was Ichiro is built, he can keep it up till the end of a 4 – 5 year contract.
Even if he loses a little, he is still quite valuable. The Japanese take better care of their bodies.
Just curious. Which is the most popular Sox blog out there?
It’s not like Ichiro is going to be 34 with the body of Prince Fielder. This guy is a physical specimen with a rocket arm, great speed and can hit the ball anywhere he wants on the field. He is playing til 40+. A four year deal north of what we signed Damon and Matsui for would be perfectly reasonable. You could stick this guy in the 3 hole and he would be 10 times better than Abreu who also can’t hit a home run to save his life. Ichiro would rake doubles in that spot and make ARod’s life even better (assuming somehow he is back here).
Ichiro was born to be a Yankee.
AxisOfEvil, thats easy; its this one after the yankees lose.
Axis, no idea really, but if I had to guess, Schillings blog would probably be up there. Not many baseball “heros” blogs. I know I wouldn’t mind reading the blog of a Yankee player. A-Rod’s would be kind of boring though, “I hit another homer today…ho hum”
“You could stick this guy in the 3 hole and he would be 10 times better than Abreu who also can’t hit a home run to save his life.”
I have no reason to believe that Ichiro will not continue to be a productive player as he approaches 40, but to say he is 10 times better than Abreu is silly. I understand you are exaggerating, and I am OK with that. But I think you forget just how good of a hitter Bobby Abreu was and still is. In a 12-year career Abreu has averages (OPB SLG and OPS+) of .401, .501 and 136 whereas Ichiro gives you .378 .439 and 120. Those are fairly significant differences. I realize that Abreu has lost some power and Ichiro is a much better fielder, but Bobby Abreu is a special hitter. One can make an argument for spending money on Ichiro, but don’t be fooled thinking he is a huge upgrade over Abreu because he isn’t.
AxisOfEvil,
You didn’t happen to attend a Tigers-Phillies game this past weekend, did you?
Schilling gives up 6 runs in 5.1
looks like that oakland game was a fluke.
38pitches getting whacked around tonight. What a thing of beauty.
make that 4.1 innings
Couldnt have happened to a nicer guy! Cant wait to see his latest blog post!!!!!
I hope Schilling continues to struggle. It really hurts that team if he isn’t the old Schilling. Because they really cant hit a lick.
You are right that Abreu is a good player but I think if you stick Ichiro in the spot above the best player in baseball all his numbers continue to get better. True he doesn’t walk a ton. If ARod wasn’t on this team Abreu would not be that good. Why do you guys like that our 3 hitter walks so much. It is only because ARod has been mashing and drives him in. On any other team you really don’t want a 3 hitter walking as much and putting up so little for power numbers. Having the best hitter in baseball makes him better. Which makes a lot of us not realize some major flaws. That is my case for Ichiro, you add the best player in baseball behind him and all his stats become that much better. Now if he came here he might bat #1 and Jeter would stay at 2 and Damon would move down, i don’t really know, but I think he would be just as valuable if not more than Abreu.
If the choice were between Hunter and Abreu I would pick Abreu. Hunter is a 6 hitter on this team. Not really someone I would lock up with a 4 year deal. Andruw Jones is interesting b/c a lot of scouts say his range has become limited and the last thing the Yanks need is another outfielder who is losing his defensive game. I’m not sold on his overall offensive stats either, even though he would get some solid pitches to hit in that 3 hole.
Just get Texeria….Late 20’s, Switch hitting Gold Glove 1st Baseman…..Right side of the infield could be set for quite a while…..He’s a once in a decade type player….Giambi comes backin the role of Daryl Strawberry….DH / PH….Expensive, yes, but that’s the price of a 7 year loaded contract…..Maybe he balks, drops no-trade provision, see ya…..Missed out on Beltran when he was a FA, need to get this guy….Hughes is not a consideration, but just about everyone else is…..It’s a risk of course as he can walk after 08, but is he worth the chance ???? I say absolutely……
Nothing better than 38pitches.com getting chased early.
*Bwhwhahahahhahah!*
I just turned on the game. That Kook Schilling got spanked, yes!!
break out the brooms and bloody socks, ATL. I WANT A SWEEP.
Ooooh, there’s some hotties at the game.
Digya see the look on Big Papi’s face – priceless! They can feel the heat. They’re also in the midst of the road trip to hell: ATL, SD, SEA.
My favorite teams: da Yanks and who ever is playn’ the sawks.
I’m doing the tomahawk chant (which is really a rip off of FSU, who suck – GO GATORS!!)
I got kicked off Curts blog for saying that whenever I am suffering from insomnia I read his blog and it puts me to sleep and that Shannon Stewart is my hero. haha
chamberlain and maybe kennedy off the table. and probably tabata. but then go get tex. and sign suzuki.
YanksFanLV-
I swear, don’t know how Curt makes the round trip from Fenway to Creedmoor every 5th day. That straight-jacket must be good for the arm.
I am not a big believer in the notion that if you bat behind a great hitter, your statistics will improve. However, I don’t have the statistics to back up that claim, so I will leave it alone.
Nick B. did say “Why do you guys like that our 3 hitter walks so much. It is only because ARod has been mashing and drives him in. On any other team you really don’t want a 3 hitter walking as much and putting up so little for power numbers.”
Good hitters walk a ton because pitchers are scared to give them good pitches to hit AND because good hitters do not swing at bad pitches. And a good hitter knows that a base on balls is NEVER a bad thing even if Joe Morgan has forgotten it. In a perfect world it would be better that Abreu had more power (or power numbers closer to those of his prime), but if at the end of the day his OPS is close to his career average of 900+, then we will all be happy regardless of how he achieves that number (i.e., via a ton of walks or more home runs). Batters that put up an OPS of 900+ are often number 3 hitters and Abreu is one of those (as is Giambi).
By the way, just so you know I am not trying to be argumentative, I do understand the appeal of Ichiro and I would be happy if he ends up on the Yankees. However, I happen to be a big fan of Abreu (and Giambi and Arod and …).
If u can get Texiera without giving up Hughes,Kennedy,Chamberlain or Tabata you make that move in 30 seconds. I don’t think that is the case or if Texiera is on the market quite yet. I think they will hear a whole lot of trade offers before deciding when/if to move him.
Drew and Crisp homer? Won’t see that again for awhile I’m sure. Shilling is a bum.
nick b, i might put edwar ramirez on that list. the guy has the most amazing change-up this side of santana.
I don’t know about getting Teixiera. The guy is helped out a ton by the friendly confines of Ameriquest field. His home/road splits read like this 342,
They used to walk Mantle & pitch to Maris……
I don’t know about getting Teixiera. The guy is helped out a ton by the friendly confines of Ameriquest field. His home/road splits read like this 342/421/577 at home versus 261/390/
I don’t know about getting Teixiera. The guy is helped out a ton by the friendly confines of Ameriquest field. His home/road splits read like this .342/.421/.577 at home versus .261/.390/.532 on the road. The road numbers are basically Giambiesque so really Teixiera would only be an upgrade on defense. If we could give up some lesser prospects to get him I’d be fairly happy but I don’t wanna trade anyone named Joba, tabata, kennedy, horne, marquez, robertson, betances, mccalister, cervelli, or clippard.
sorry, I posted the same thing 3x
I like Abreu too. I just feel Ichiro is one of the top tier players in the game. I feel Abreu is in the next tier which would still include some great players and superstars. (I guess I would say Ichiro is in the Top 20 and Abreu would be somewhere b/w 20-60). My ideal lineup for next year would be
Ichiro
Jeter
Texiera
ARod
Giambi
Matsui
Posada
Cano
Damon
Where do you get an out? Now the lineup could look like this however
Damon
Jeter
Abreu
Giambi
Posada
Crede
Matsui
Cano
Minky/Mike Sweeney/(best available 1st baseman)
Instead of breaking bank for Mark Tex, how about getting McCann or Salty from ATL for half the cost and alternate them between catcher and 1B. Ofcourse, this assumes that Jorge and the new C can also lay a decent 1B.
mark,
if you can get texiera without including any of those players I would vote for you to replace Cashman. HAHA, you really think you wouldn’t have to include any good players to get one of the Top 5 first baseman in baseball?
passer by,
Good players. Are they available? Atlanta is making a run at the postseason again and the Mets are crumbling? I would doubt it but I really have heard anything either way
One good thing about Teixeira is that he feasts on left handed pitching. He is hitting .404/.492/.673 against lefties this season. That is defineatley something the Yanks could use.
Nick B,
But they play the same position. So ATL may bite if we throw a good starting arm + a good bullpen arm in our minors. Not the Phil/Joba/Kennedy type, but may be T Clip and Whelan
Nick B., I don’t know, Jon Daniels(texas gm) has gotten swindled on some deals in the past like the one that sent gonzalez and young to the padres for eaton and soriano to the nat’s for whatever crap he got in return. He also gave up a real good reliever in Frank Cordero for a player he didn’t have a great chance of singing in Carlos Lee. None of this proves anything except that Daniels has made some pretty lopsided trades in the past, and hopefully in the future.
Yeah thats true. Atlanta has had quite a few catchers and 1st baseman come up and be successful out of their farm system these past couple years.
That’s true but Texiera is pretty good. I just don’t see him accepting a junk offer for his best player. Texas has a good fan base, I don’t know why they don’t try to resign him and become competitive. They had an ALDS dynasty in the 90’s, now they are nothing.
However, The question is, can they play a decent 1B??
“nick b, i might put edwar ramirez on that list. the guy has the most amazing change-up this side of santana.”
huh?
“how about getting McCann or Salty from ATL for half the cost”
how do you figure?
I don’t watch ATL a lot but I think McCann plays 1st now and then? I really can’t say that with much certainty though.
hmmm,
I ignore everything people say about minor league relievers. I suggest you do the same. Ramirez could have been had for a free lunch not to long ago.
What about somebody like Carlos Pena? I know the Yanks had him last year so it would suck to have to give up players for him, but he would most certainly be cheaper than Texiera.
“But they play the same position. So ATL may bite if we throw a good starting arm + a good bullpen arm in our minors. Not the Phil/Joba/Kennedy type, but may be T Clip and Whelan”
Clippard and Whelan? not a chance.
it doesn’t matter that they play the same position. that doesn’t lower their trade value to other teams.
Saltalamacchia is a good hitting young catcher. that is what he represents on the trade market. the fact that the Braves have McCann doesn’t matter at all. they don’t HAVE to trade either of them. they need to be knocked over to move a player like that. there just aren’t a lot of good catchers out there.
Scheurholz is well aware of Saltalamacchia’s value and doesn’t make a lot of bad trades.
hmmm,
half the cost if you consider both the salary AND the prospects that would take to get Mark Tex
Also anyone who compares Ramirez’s changeup to Santana’s should be kicked off this blog forever. Santana has one of the best changeup’s of all-time. I don’t think some kid who was just in some scrub league and is doing alright in the minors can even be mentioned within 100 sentences of Johan the Great.
“What about somebody like Carlos Pena? ”
i wouldn’t mind having him, but have the Yankees ever dealt with the Devil Rays on anything other than fringe players?
I’ll want Texiera if it doesn’t involve Hughes,Tabata,Chamberlain,Belatances or Melky. What if the yankees also took on the salery of Padilla?
If I’m the Yanks I want nothing to do with Vincente Padilla even if it means that we get Teixiera. Padilla is the definition of a bum, a guy who signs a big contract and procedes to suck.
Do we really need a bigtime 1B?
Cairo/Phillips/Whoever can fill in just fine until Doug M comes back.
One things for sure, I hope to god we don’t get some stone legs 1B who can hit but can’t field for his life…
Example-Dimitri Young.
Defense people! How many plays did the Magnificent Cairo make yesterday behind Wang?
Like Mark said, I think Tex. is gonna be hard to get as long as Daniels is GM. No matter what prospects he gets, they won’t pay off until next year at the earliest, while the extra losses he’ll get from dumping Tex. will cost him his job. Bottom line, a GM on thin ice tries to win today, not build for tomorrow.
If I’m Cash, I make a play for Paul Konerko. Chicago’s falling apart, he’s got 3 years and something like 36 mil coming to him, and he’s off to a slow start. He’s still popular there so I doubt it would be a straight salary dump, but two decent prospects and Farnsworth for their bullpen?
I like his righty bat and ballsy attitude. Plus he’s only 31 and he’s got post season bonafides. He’s Giambi-like in the field and on the basepaths, I know, but he can be a difference-maker this year and next.
“half the cost if you consider both the salary AND the prospects that would take to get Mark Tex”
it would still take one of the Yankees’ best prospects to get Saltalamacchia. it just doesn’t make any sense for the Braves to trade an A prospect for 2-3 B prospects.
Mark Loretta would be a really nice option for 1B, but he’s playing SS now with Everett on the DL.
Scott Hatteburg would make a lot of sense too. Good OBP, and defense.
I wish they give Phillips a chance already. People forget that he led the team in AVG in June last year. Not sayin he’ll hit .360, but he could hit .260-.300 with 15-20 HR power and good D
Konerko has a NTC and took a discount to resign there after the World Series b/c he loves Chicago. There is a 0.00% chance he is going anywhere.
I still think it is worth it
Thuuuuuuuuu Red Sox Lose!
Paul Konerko: .238/.332/.419
“he receives a 12M salary each year in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010″
Josh Phelps: .263/.330/.363
“signed split-contract for 2007 season on 2/26/07- + he receives a $600K salary while in the majors and a $100K salary while in the minors”
hmmmm,
I would hope you would take Konerko over Phelps. Konerko is going nowhere but he is 10 times better than Phelps. He is having a bad couple months. He is a good player. Phelps is average at best. This guy is a 30-40, 110+ RBI guy which may take Phelps 3 years to accomplish.
I like Konerko and all but I think the last thing the Yanks need is an aging slugger with a big contract. We already got some of those.
of course i know Konerko is much better than Phelps, but i still wouldn’t TOUCH Konerko’s contract.
he is signed through 2010 at $12M per year, plays crappy defense, was overrated to begin with, and appears to be on the decline offensively.
he is one of the last contracts in MLB i would trade for.
would you like to see his road splits? .270/.339/.455
he has a career OPS+ of 116. Matt Stairs has a career OPS+ of 118. Tony Clark has a career OPS+ of 113.
this is the type of player he is. not the type of guy i want signed for 3 1/2 more years at $12M per.
Schilling records the loss, 6 earned runs. Good for him.
Does he make excuses on the blog? Hangnail? Excema? Couldn’t find his teddy or bloody sock?
You would think people would learn their lessons in acquiring aging players with huge contracts.
We don’t need Konerko or any other big 1B.
Our offense is good enough to get by with a defensive 1B. It’s foolish to think otherwise.
don’t get me wrong, if Konerko’s contract was up this year, i would take him.
all i am saying is that i don’t want that money committed to a 33 year old Konerko in 2008 when someone like Teixeira, who still has more good years ahead of him than behind him, becomes available.
Looks like Wakefied and 38pitches per inning are started to revert to their averages. If Beckett picks up another loss (against Hudson so could happen) then Boston is gonna start to sweat it big time. I dont see Tavarez as a stopper!
Their press is the only place that compete with NY for the ‘murder our team even though they are leading the division’ stakes.
Nick B,
I think Konerko’s love for Chi has probably waned a little and he’s jump at a chance to leave that disaster behind.
hmmm,
According to OPS+ and Range Factor, Phelps is as good a hitter as Konerko and a better fielder than Man-cave-itch. Strange that he can’t beat out Miguel Cairo for playing time.
Konerko will be 34 at the end of the deal, which is hardly ancient. He’s a lethal bat and he carried a team to a World Series title 20 months ago. 2 and a half month’s of average play (he’s got 10 home runs) doesn’t mean he’s done. Put him in our line-up and he’ll rake.
Global W.,
I get your hesitancy and truth be told I’d be satisfied with Phillips and Cairo until the deadline and see what happens. But if the options are Hillenbrand, empty the farm for Tex., or steal Konerko and maybe have to swallow hard in the last year of his deal, I’ll take door No. 3.
“According to OPS+ and Range Factor, Phelps is as good a hitter as Konerko and a better fielder than Man-cave-itch.”
well, neither of those statements are true but whatever. you can’t look at ZR for 2 months of data and Phelps’ career OPS+ is well below Konerko’s.
i clearly said Konerko was a much better player than Phelps, but i would not be interested in taking on his contract.
if you would trade for Konerko, good for you. i wouldn’t.
Go away, Johnny Damon.
You are doing very little for this team.
Let’s sign a 1B to a one year deal and groom Andy Phillips or Eric Duncan.
As for Center, keep Melky there. Keep Matsui and Keep Abreu. I like the idea of McCann alternating at first base that someone mentioned. That might be a decent idea as well.
For right now, we should not make any moves. Cairo is fine at first and, if needed, Phillips can come up. Phelps is somewhat of a joke and really shouldnt be on the team the way i see it. Mientkiewicz is the ideal first baseman, no matter how much it pains people to say. His offense isnt that bad. It just seems that bad because nobody else was producing
Groom Andy Phillips? Are you joking? He’s like 30 years old.
BTW enough of the 1st base talk!!!! We dont need more overpriced ’superstars’ like Konerko or Texas Tex. Esp when they aren’t exactly setting the world alight this year.
I’d rather bring up Phillips for 1st base until Minky is healthy. Cash is trying not to get into bad contracts so these big moves wont happen.
If we make a trade with Texas it should be for Gagne. It would give us lights out pitching in the 8th or on Mo’s days off in the 9th
Also forget about Salty/ McCann.
I have wondered about Salty cos I really like the idea of having 2 ‘everyday’ catchers. They need more rest than other positions and it could extend Posada’s career a year or two. With 2 strong offensive guys like Salty and Posada they could DH, or play 1st, on days off. This would also help save a roster spot.
But… we won’t get him cos –
Although Cash will probably be willing to move some young arms (next year when the AA guys need the bump up we dont have any innings to give em – got about 12 AAA worthy pitchers!!) he won’t get too good a deal from Atlanta who as has been said are no mugs.
Giambi and Damon will be splitting DH time next year.
Everyone is very high on the potential of Francisco Cervelli. He is penciled in for the bigs in 09 at the latest. By then Posada will probably need more time off. Give Posada a 3 yr extension and let him help the kid find his feet. Montero is a year or 2 behind him so it is the one everyday position where we have some options in the minors. Remember Cash is thinking cheap and flexible with the roster now, bringing up guys is plan no 1. (He’ll need all his cash to resign ARod!!)
Nieves is doing OK now and Muss is pitching well to him, which is ultimately more important than getting a bump in offense from your backup catcher.
If we are going to trade some kids then go after a real stud starter (Santana for Kennedy and one or two 2nd tier guys? or Igawa and a kid?).
When Hughes returns send him back to AAA, or if you must, to the pen. He can take Clemens spot next year. And despite his showing against Texas (who at that point couldn’t hit anyone) he does need more seasoning in AAA. Hopefully Igawa will be much better now as well and it will make sense to give Hughes the extra time.
Overall we are a better club than the Red Sox and I think will catch them. Our starting pitchinig is finally what was always planned (more or less) this takes the pressure of not only the pen but also the guys putting up the runs. Less pressure = better results.
More pressure( Red Sox hearing the Yankee train pulling up behind them) = worse results.
Minor tinkering is all we need. And come October for the 1st time in YEARS, we will have 4 guys to pitch who you can be happy about. I remember when we were 3-0 up against the Sox looking at the pitching match-ups to come and thinking ‘this could get ugly’. Thankfully that is a thing of the past.
I think you call up Tampa and offer them some B level pitching prospects for Carlos Pena.
I know they are hard to deal with, but he would have been perfect for this team. I was always confused how he came and went for the both the Yankees and the Red Sox since the guy has a good glove and legit pop.
I would even go so far as this — tell Tampa you’ll take Elijah “I’m kill my wife and get a minor pregnant” Dukes off their hands with Pena and we’ll send them Clippard or Chase Wright, Colter Bean and Eric Duncan. Clippard would be their #3 starter after Kazmir and Jaimie Shields.
Then let Joe and company work their Father Flannagan on Dukes and we’d have a right handed impact OF to play in RF next season if we don’t renew Abreu. Plus he’d upgrade the bench right now a ton. We need right handed pop and athleticism. If Cincy can turn Josh “I Like Drugs” Hamilton into Roy Hobbs, I think we can do the same with Dukes.
He just needs a little love.
Thoughts?
We would never, ever touch Dukes. Ever. Ever.
Ever.
As for Pena, he is playing well above his career numbers right now, we’d never give up someone as good as Clippard for him never mind throwing in Duncan, who despite his failure to put together a big year is still one of or top position prospects. Besides, another lefty bat ain’t what we need.
wow .. you are all acting like the diamond revolves around the first baseman…. ”hurry up – the sky is falling – get tex, get mcann, get pena, get konerko – call st.louis – tell e’m to back up the truck’
… i can’t help but laugh when i think that, two and half months ago, this very panel was up in flames – totally blasting torre for keeping three first baseman – and now you all want to add a fourth.
… leave us be right now. Our offense can afford/use cairo’s small ball style more than another ‘all or nothing bat’. His defense – is now – and always has been – extremely solid – at every position. A very fundamentally sound ballplayer with a little extra hustle than the overbloated ’star’.
… i’m not a hardcore cairo spokesman planted by the team for PR purposes.. but honestly… i really miss the small ball teams that won championships. Cairo makes us one step closer to being just that.
…see eckstein, lemke, orlando cabrera… bucky dent.. etc al.
Let’s Go Yankees!!
1) Santana for Kennedy and a few other throw in guys, get real
2) Dukes is one of the best young outfielders in the game, you don’t think the Yankees would touch him, why b/c he has had a few problems, i GUARANTEE they would take him if offered for the right price
3) I don’t know how many times I can say this, this team HAS to have another first baseman, Cairo is the backup infielder on this team, if Cairo plays first everyday then all 4 infielders have to play the rest of the season w/o a day off. If you don’t get a first baseman then you HAVE to get a utility infielder and if anyone mentions Andy Philips playing anywhere but 1st they are out of their mind
pick up a solid guy for 3b, move abomb to ss incentive to stay i think. jeets goes to 1b thereby extending his career a few years. if you can play at short, 1b is a cakewalk.
for now just let cairo do his thing unless, the deal of the century opens up.
Randyhater, re:kanerko – “He’s Giambi-like in the field and on the basepaths”
We already have one Giambi, why would we want another?
And the Phelps better than Mienky defensively is the biggest laugh I’ve had all year, thank you.
If we can get Tex for a reasonable price, we get him because he’s a young all-star. Stop looking for 1 year fixes when there are options out there for the future.
People need to realize Hughes is not going anywhere under any circumstance, so it doesn’t even need to be mentioned. I’d agree that Tabata and Kennedy, maybe Chamberlain also don’t go, but Clippard and others are fair game for one of the elite 1B in the game. Someone said his offensive numbers were no better than Giambi’s but his defense is… well, that is exactly what we need. Since when was Giambi’s bat a bad thing (when he’s actually healthy)? It’s his defense that sucks and that’s why we need a 1B with Giambi’s bat and solid defense. Not sure Tex gives us Giambi’s bat as was said, but he would give us a good power bat and Gold Glove defense. No brainer, if we can get him at a FAIR price, we do it.
“but Clippard and others are fair game for one of the elite 1B in the game.”
of course they are. the problem is once you take Joba, Hughes, Kennedy, and Tabata off the table, the Rangers would not bite. why should they?
we love our own prospects, but the rest of the world doesn’t think as highly of guys like Clippard.
because they need pitching and they know they can’t afford to re-sign Tex after next year. They can of course wait till next year to deal him, but the return would be even less.
This is not a simple trade for a guy, it’s for a guy about to be a free-agent. While any trade we make for him should also include a window to sign an extension, that doesn’t give Texas any more leverage. They have a great player to trade, but their rights to him are limited, so their leverage isn’t what it would be if they had him under contract for 5 more years.
I’m not saying T-Clip is our only offer, but part of whatever package that keeps at least Hughes and Kennedy, and probably Tabata off the table.
Brian
Why in the world would the Twins trade Santana for Kennedy and a second tier guy??? And to think they would be interested in Igawa at least at this point in exchange for Santana is comical at best.
Wow I do not have the time to finish all these responses before I write mine. Hope that I did not copy anyone unintentionally.
I wonder if Wang has to be the translator between Gator and these Chinese players. First, I wonder how many years Gator will stay as the pitching coach here. Second, I wonder how many years Wang will stay as a Yankee. Third and most importantly, I wonder how many years there’ll be before these Chinese kids will be called to the big league.
Not that I question their ‘talent’. They should be very talented. To reply one of the questions above, in China, when they are incubating soccer players, they pick specific kids since they were 3, 4 or 5. They are put in camps full of kids just for playing soccer. As years go on, some (or many) of them will be kicked out, but there are so many of them in each province that you hardly need to recruit more kids into such camps. You see the point? You hardly have the chance to think about becoming a pro soccer player if you were not picked when you were very young.
The same thing might happen to baseball now, because Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are all doing well in baseball. There is good motivation for the Chinese to also play because they do not want to fall behind.
According to this, I do not think that these two kids are not talented enough.
However, the cultures are so different that I wonder how good those kids can assimilate the way big league players establish themselves. I think Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese players all have better understanding into baseball, I mean American baseball, better than Chinese players do. Actually by far the best coaching staff in China are from Taiwan or Japan, because these professionals are simply better.
Rover,
Then why don’t they move A-Rod to 1B and do whatever to SS and 3B?