Rangers don't mind overpaying for Darvish

So far... So good.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:30 AM ET  04.24 by Otis B. Driftwood

So far... So good.

I'm thinking he will have mixed results. The baseball is different in the US, so he'll have to adjust to the feel of the different ball.

They watched him pitch every game for 2 years so they know pretty well what they got.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:27 AM ET  04.24 by TxHeat

They watched him pitch every game for 2 years so they know pretty well what they got.

yep they watched every game for two years when he pitched every game (except for any WBC games) vs hitters in the Japanese league most of which don't pan out when they come to the U.S. with a few obvious exceptions (Matsui and Ichiro).

He has the physical stature of an american power pitcher more so than Dice K which should help him with a more physically grueling game in the U.S., especially in that Arlington heat. That said it's still very early, he's doing well right now but let's see how he does once teams and hitters have a book on him.

To date, Yu Darvish is making Texas GM Jon Daniels look pretty good. The Yankees were burned by giving big money to Hideki Irabu and Kei Igawa; Hiroki Kuroda, who opposes Darvish on Tuesday, is on a one-year deal. And while Daisuke Matsuzaka helped Boston win the 2007 World Series, he has contributed little since going 18-3 in 2008.

So the author is comparing Darvish to four other imports after only three starts and is claiming that Darvish is making Daniels look good. Interesting.

I feel ridiculous even doing this, but lets take a look at these five pitchers first three starts in the majors.

Initials - IP - ERA - WHIP - K/9 - BB/9 - K/BB

YD - 17.2 - 3.57 - 1.81 - 7.1 - 6.6 - 1.08
HI - 18.1 - 6.38 - 1.58 - 7.4 - 3.9 - 1.88
DM - 20.0 - 2.70 - 1.10 - 10.8 - 2.3 - 4.80
HK - 18.2 - 2.89 - 1.13 - 4.8 - 1.0 - 5.00
KI - 16.1 - 6.06 - 1.35 - 5.5 - 3.3 - 1.70

Based on these admitedly small sample sizes, Kei Igawa is the only one that Darvish compares favorably to. Both Matsuzaka and Kuroda looked markedly better than Darvish through their first three starts.

Point is, it's a ridiculous comparison. It's about four or five years to early to be deciding if this signing will make Daniels look like a genius or like the latest GM to be duped by an import.

Thanks, Slinky. Nice to see the numberw which confirm my memory. Kudos for your hard work.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:55 AM ET  04.24 by SlinkyRedfoot

To date, Yu Darvish is making Texas GM Jon Daniels look pretty good. The Yankees were burned by giving big money to Hideki Irabu and Kei Igawa; Hiroki Kuroda, who opposes Darvish on Tuesday, is on a one-year deal. And while Daisuke Matsuzaka helped Boston win the 2007 World Series, he has contributed little since going 18-3 in 2008.So the author is comparing Darvish to four other imports after only three starts and is claiming that Darvish is making Daniels look good. Interesting.I feel ridiculous even doing this, but lets take a look at these five pitchers first three starts in the majors.Initials - IP - ERA - WHIP - K/9 - BB/9 - K/BBYD - 17.2 - 3.57 - 1.81 - 7.1 - 6.6 - 1.08HI - 18.1 - 6.38 - 1.58 - 7.4 - 3.9 - 1.88DM - 20.0 - 2.70 - 1.10 - 10.8 - 2.3 - 4.80HK - 18.2 - 2.89 - 1.13 - 4.8 - 1.0 - 5.00KI - 16.1 - 6.06 - 1.35 - 5.5 - 3.3 - 1.70Based on these admitedly small sample sizes, Kei Igawa is the only one that Darvish compares favorably to. Both Matsuzaka and Kuroda looked markedly better than Darvish through their first three starts.Point is, it's a ridiculous comparison. It's about four or five years to early to be deciding if this signing will make Daniels look like a genius or like the latest GM to be duped by an import.

This type of well thought out factual and rational post will not be tolerated we need more immediate analysis to know if this five year contract is good value right now three starts into his MLB career.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:53 AM ET  04.24 by Razor Ray

So far... not so good.

Respectfully disagree...

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:10 AM ET  04.24 by Otis B. Driftwood

Respectfully disagree...

I'd agree with you, Otis.

While I personally don't think he's pitched very well, particularly in his first and second game, it's hard to rationalize the fact that a 2-0 record after three starts is not so good. Granted, the Rangers offense gift wrapped one of those Ws, but it's still a W.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:18 AM ET  04.24 by SlinkyRedfoot

I'd agree with you, Otis.While I personally don't think he's pitched very well, particularly in his first and second game, it's hard to rationalize the fact that a 2-0 record after three starts is not so good. Granted, the Rangers offense gift wrapped one of those Ws, but it's still a W.

Need to factor in crapshootidity you know...

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:21 AM ET  04.24 by Hoos Your Daddy

Need to factor in crapshootidity you know...

+1.

+10 bonus for proper spelling.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:27 AM ET  04.24 by TxHeat

They watched him pitch every game for 2 years so they know pretty well what they got.

That's silly.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:55 AM ET  04.24 by SlinkyRedfoot

To date, Yu Darvish is making Texas GM Jon Daniels look pretty good. The Yankees were burned by giving big money to Hideki Irabu and Kei Igawa; Hiroki Kuroda, who opposes Darvish on Tuesday, is on a one-year deal. And while Daisuke Matsuzaka helped Boston win the 2007 World Series, he has contributed little since going 18-3 in 2008.So the author is comparing Darvish to four other imports after only three starts and is claiming that Darvish is making Daniels look good. Interesting.I feel ridiculous even doing this, but lets take a look at these five pitchers first three starts in the majors.Initials - IP - ERA - WHIP - K/9 - BB/9 - K/BBYD - 17.2 - 3.57 - 1.81 - 7.1 - 6.6 - 1.08HI - 18.1 - 6.38 - 1.58 - 7.4 - 3.9 - 1.88DM - 20.0 - 2.70 - 1.10 - 10.8 - 2.3 - 4.80HK - 18.2 - 2.89 - 1.13 - 4.8 - 1.0 - 5.00KI - 16.1 - 6.06 - 1.35 - 5.5 - 3.3 - 1.70Based on these admitedly small sample sizes, Kei Igawa is the only one that Darvish compares favorably to. Both Matsuzaka and Kuroda looked markedly better than Darvish through their first three starts.Point is, it's a ridiculous comparison. It's about four or five years to early to be deciding if this signing will make Daniels look like a genius or like the latest GM to be duped by an import.

Agreed.
A non-non-story.
Yu might be good or bad, news at 11.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:55 AM ET  04.24 by SlinkyRedfoot

To date, Yu Darvish is making Texas GM Jon Daniels look pretty good. The Yankees were burned by giving big money to Hideki Irabu and Kei Igawa; Hiroki Kuroda, who opposes Darvish on Tuesday, is on a one-year deal. And while Daisuke Matsuzaka helped Boston win the 2007 World Series, he has contributed little since going 18-3 in 2008.So the author is comparing Darvish to four other imports after only three starts and is claiming that Darvish is making Daniels look good. Interesting.I feel ridiculous even doing this, but lets take a look at these five pitchers first three starts in the majors.Initials - IP - ERA - WHIP - K/9 - BB/9 - K/BBYD - 17.2 - 3.57 - 1.81 - 7.1 - 6.6 - 1.08HI - 18.1 - 6.38 - 1.58 - 7.4 - 3.9 - 1.88DM - 20.0 - 2.70 - 1.10 - 10.8 - 2.3 - 4.80HK - 18.2 - 2.89 - 1.13 - 4.8 - 1.0 - 5.00KI - 16.1 - 6.06 - 1.35 - 5.5 - 3.3 - 1.70Based on these admitedly small sample sizes, Kei Igawa is the only one that Darvish compares favorably to. Both Matsuzaka and Kuroda looked markedly better than Darvish through their first three starts.Point is, it's a ridiculous comparison. It's about four or five years to early to be deciding if this signing will make Daniels look like a genius or like the latest GM to be duped by an import.

But the Texas scouts looked at Darvish for more than two years. They pretty much know what they got.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:18 AM ET  04.24 by SlinkyRedfoot

I'd agree with you, Otis.

While I personally don't think he's pitched very well, particularly in his first and second game, it's hard to rationalize the fact that a 2-0 record after three starts is not so good. Granted, the Rangers offense gift wrapped one of those Ws, but it's still a W.

I've watched both games... the kid has had some innings where he scuffled but he has also had innings where he was dominant.

It's going to be a process of learning how to pitch in the big leagues... but I've seen signs that when he figures it out he will be damn good.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:18 AM ET  04.24 by SlinkyRedfoot

I'd agree with you, Otis.While I personally don't think he's pitched very well, particularly in his first and second game, it's hard to rationalize the fact that a 2-0 record after three starts is not so good. Granted, the Rangers offense gift wrapped one of those Ws, but it's still a W.

His average start is 5.7 innings and he's averaging about 111 pitches per those 5.7 innings. IMHO his arm will fall off by early July.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:04 AM ET  04.24 by rjfish

This type of well thought out factual and rational post will not be tolerated we need more immediate analysis to know if this five year contract is good value right now three starts into his MLB career.

<passes out torches>
Will not be tolerated!

Isn't Kuroda the "fat toad"?