Cashman arrives at GM Meetings
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- November
- 5
Brian Cashman just arrived at the hotel. Wearing jeans and an orange t-shirt that said “Southampton,” Cashman was surrounded by New York writers and said he had nothing new to offer.
The GMs have a cocktail hour later, so we’re hoping Cashman will have more to say once he has a few drinks.
He has several members of his staff here including Jean Afterman and Billy Eppler.
I’m also trailing the Mets for my paper this week. Omar Minaya was in the lobby earlier and will talk to the media in about an hour. I spoke briefly to Theo Epstein, who was headed out for a run. He said the Red Sox very much want to bring Mike Lowell back but have just gotten back to business after celebrating the Series.
The actual meetings, which include presentations on various subjects by MLB officials, start tomorrow morning.
Keep an eye on RHP Hiroki Kuroda. He opted out of his deal with Hiroshima in Japan to pursue offers in the United States. He’s not considered a major prospect, but teams will kick the tires on him.
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on Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 4:59 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Elvis has entered the building!!
Peter,
Besides Eppler and Afterman, who are the rest of Cashman’s staff?
Ah…back to a linear sequence of events…
Like I was saying.
I like the idea of getting Edwin Encarnacion.
Cincinnati is probably looking for young pitching and the Yankees have plenty.
As long as they don’t give up any A-list pitchers (Joba, Hughes, etc) I would be excited about getting a 24 year old 3rd baseman who gets on base and might be ready to emerge as a very productive player.
Pete, what are the groupies and goomahs like ??
Hiroki Kuroda, RHP – Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Ht/Wt: 6-0/200
Age: 33
2007: 26GS, 7 CG, 12-8, 3.56 ERA, 179 2/3 IP, .261 BAA, 20 HR, 123 K, 42 BB
Stuff –
Fastball:
Kuroda sits 90-92 with a four-seam fastball that shows good leverage, although only a fair amount of sink. He will touch 93-94 at times and with good arm side tail that is very effective against right-handed batters.
He has solid command of the fastball and is not afraid to elevate the pitch to change planes to give the hitter something else to look at, which is ideal since the 33-year-old does not throw a curve ball.
He surrendered 20 homers in his 179 2/3 innings, which is a solid number considering the size of the ballparks, but would benefit greatly from Safeco Field’s spacious alleys.
Slider:
Kuroda uses a true slider in the way that fellow Japanese hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka does, with good depth and varying velocities. Kuroda will typically rush his slider to the plate in the 84-86 mph range, but will need to keep the pitch down more consistently in the states.
At times he’ll fall in love with his slider a little bit, which is consistent with other Japanese pitchers.
Splitter:
Kuroda’s fork-split is his best pitch and the one in which he will record the majority of his strikeouts. He’s capable of throwing it for strikes, but it’s much more effective as a change-of-pace offering that falls off the table into the dirt.
He will induce some swings and misses with it as it travels to the plate in the 82-86 mph range.
The Scoop:
Kuroda is the class of the three free agents and will get the most interest but he profiles as a No. 3 at best, depending mostly on how well he adapts to the patient approach of the hitters in MLB.
He’s slow to the plate but has a relatively compact and clean delivery that gives his fastball some late life. Needs to improve holding runners (this will be something all four scouting reports will read, as it’s generally not a strong area for Japanese pitchers).
Considering the domestic market, Kuroda, even at 33 years old, could command a contract in the $9-11 million range, for at least three years.
“He could blow, like most of the starters that have come from Japan,†said a scout that saw the three free agents this past summer. “But he is the one the group of starters that stands out.â€
Seattle’s interest level is believed to be very high.
http://prospectinsider.com/2007/10/20/the-japanese-scouting-report/
I don’t want to hear one thing about Kuroda. Not interested. Been burned by Little League Japanese pitchers enough already.
Yeah get Cashman on the truth serum.
No More Japanese Pitchers—PLEASE!!!!!
That makes 2 of us.
What did ever happen to Hideki (I hear a boo, I rob you!) Irabu? Footnote to Steve Somers.
Peter,
Kuroda may not be considered a major prospect, but I believe his stuff is better than Dice-k’s. Overall, Kuroda is a complete pitcher who knows how to pitch. I have been watching him pitch. Yankees may not need another starter, but if Redsox were to acquire him, it’d be a threat for AL teams.
Buddy Biancalana,
Irabu opened a udon noodle (Japanese thick noodles) chained restaurant based in LA, but the last I heard he’s pondering comeback! Anyone interested?
He came in wearing a ‘Southampton’ shirt – oh Mr Cashman, what have you done…(I am a supporter of Southampton’s arch rivals in ‘Soccer’)
As for Kuroda – I scouted him last year for a minor league draft (inc. international FA’s) and had him third on my Japanese SP depth chart, Saitoh was at #1 but had an injury plagued season and Uehara at #2.