Truth & Rumors > MLB
Red Sox, Yanks chasing Japanese amateur
Use the word "delicate," "strained," or anything else that describes a very uncomfortable situation, and that's what you're hearing about major league teams - including the Red Sox - trying to lure 22-year-old amateur righthander Junichi Tazawa to America. The Sox appear to be the leading contenders for his services, though it might come down to a tug-of-war between them and the Yankees. While sources familiar with the agreement between Major League Baseball and the Nippon Professional League indicate there's no provision that precludes a major league team from signing a top amateur player, Japanese officials contend there's always been a "gentleman's agreement" not to steal such talent. There were meetings last week while officials ironed out plans for their World Baseball Classic next spring, but the sources indicate the talks on amateur players were awkward. Tazawa reportedly sent letters to professional Japanese teams hoping they will not draft him in October, and the teams apparently will respect his wishes. The sides have quietly begun to negotiate a compromise on this issue, but there may be nothing that can appease the Japanese, who already lose their top professional pitchers to the US either through free agency or the posting system.
Junichi Tazawa, Sam Yeh/Getty Images
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Comments (19) Add A Comment
It's a fairly simple rule of thumb....If the Sox draft a Japanese pitcher, he'll be good (see Dice K). If the Yankees draft him, he'll be Hideki Irabu.
baseballpurist
Monroe Township , NJ
Total Comments (420)
Shocker! This is why baseball is such a joke. Join the 21st centurt and get a salary cap. Same teams year after year....boring!
LGP: Stanley Cup…
Six Burgh, PA
Total Comments (9095)
Don't do it Yankee's... look at how the last one worked out.. he is an over paid AAA pitcher that will stay there.
NYY25to13
Falcon, CO
Total Comments (776)
This throws in the mid 90s. Igawa throws in the mid 80s. There's a huge difference between the 2. Not to mention Tazawa is also 5 years younger.
Jason Kidd is a…
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (812)
Hey girfren! Great win fo dogs today too! Chin Mai Go hit gran sram in bottom of 12f to beat da dung beetos! Go Savory Dogs! Go Boston! Husbans suck it! Hee haw!
Connie Pho
Total Comments (1069)
Give it a rest !!! The Red Sox vs. Yankees thing is past history !!! I wonder what other teams are 'interested" in this dude ??? I'm sure it's not just the Red Sox and Yankees !!1
Mike C. 1927
Total Comments (4753)
Incidentally the era of baseball in the house that Ruth built, finally came to an end today. Snif, Snif.... Yes since 1923 to 2008, an era in that stadium that saw 37 Word Series appearances out of 85 years. Yes that's about 44 % of the time hey appeared while being there. Wow. Lets give credit to where credit is due. Good night ya all. And sleep tight. Time for a a last toast to the great stadium. Adios Amigos and Buona Notte.....
The Original Tony
Total Comments (9420)
This from the guy whose avatar collection belongs in a montage tribute to Brokeback Mountain, more suited for anyplace but here. If you're so caring of the opinions of others, why don't you take note of all the folks here who are nauseated by your avatar? Talk about junking up the board ... you're the only one here junking it up and spunking it up at the same time.
Atro Steals Yer Base
World Champs, NY
Total Comments (21761)
here's a novel idea: just let him go to the Rays!
NCGuy
Asheville , NC
Total Comments (155)
BANZAI!!!!
Yankees no make pwayoffs next year either!
BobBoston
Total Comments (4634)
Plez boston dont go after him he'll turn into dice k 5 walks over 5 innings with 4 ers game
Go after CC instead
TOleafsbosoxcolts
Total Comments (38)
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