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Phillies interested in Japanese pitcher

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A day after it was reported that the Atlanta Braves had made an offer for Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa, the Phillies' general manager indicated that his club also has some interest in the 22-year-old righthander. Despite being a top prospect, Tazawa went undrafted after he announced that he planned to play in the United States. The reports noted that he was committed to his industrial-league team through mid-November and could not sign with a U.S. team until then.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Junichi Tazawa, Sam Yeh/Getty Images Junichi Tazawa, Sam Yeh/Getty Images
November 7, 2008  07:26 AM ET

Hmmm.............I know nothing about this guy. As long as he's good AND we don't give him Fukudome money I guess it'd be okay.

Comment #3 has been removed
November 7, 2008  08:27 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

He a young pitcher that didnt catch on with any japanese team............Makes sence he would want to go to the USA.........He nothing special ave arm ave speed..........he did pitch well in the Japan team last summer

He's right, I saw this guy pitch, too. He nothing special ave arm ave speed. Gooney goo-hoo.

November 7, 2008  10:10 AM ET

Signing the Japanese players are now all the rage. Reminds me of a similar trend back in the 80's when people wasted hundres of thousands on junk bonds. Lets hope this works out slightly better for those participating.

November 7, 2008  10:49 AM ET

We have one slightly used Igawa for you...

November 7, 2008  12:34 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

He a young pitcher that didnt catch on with any japanese team............Makes sence he would want to go to the USA.........He nothing special ave arm ave speed..........he did pitch well in the Japan team last summer

He wasnt drafted by a Japanese team because he asked them not to draft him because he wants to play in the US.

His fastball reaches mid 90s and he has an "effective" curve and an "impressive" slider. He is compared to Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka which is probably why the Red Sox are so hot for him and most experts expect he will sign with Boston.

For those of you saying his average, perhaps you are confusing him with the veteran starter Kenshin Kawakami, he doesn't have an overpowering fastball but some feel he could find similar success as Greg Maddux with solid placement of his pitches, like Tazawa, Boston is interested and the Red Sox is kawakami's preffered destination.

November 7, 2008  12:45 PM ET

another far east prospect...lets see how it goes

November 7, 2008  01:11 PM ET

Hey Phillies... how about Kei Igawa... please take him off of our hands!

November 7, 2008  02:12 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

We have one slightly used Igawa for you...

Is it reconditioned?

November 7, 2008  02:31 PM ET

I would be happy to advertise this used Igawa in the here n' there section

November 7, 2008  04:34 PM ET

He didn't want to be drafted in Japan. He wanted to play in the US and he was good enough to warrant being drafted very high in Japan.

Anyway, he's young. He can't warrant Dice-K money but for a decent price he's worth a flier.

November 7, 2008  04:48 PM ET

According to Shapiro of the Indians he expects him to get about $7M.

November 7, 2008  10:30 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Hmmm.............I know nothing about this guy. As long as he's good AND we don't give him Fukudome money I guess it'd be okay.

thats the right attitude ... once you luck out, everything would be okay. fool.

Comment #16 has been removed
Comment #17 has been removed
November 7, 2008  11:41 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

Care to add anything worth while? Unless you can anything worth the reading don`t bother.......

I must agree with Grossedout, here, and I reiterate: Unless you can ANYTHING worth the reading, don't bother flying the ether cry the sink water to my winter boots!

Comment #19 has been removed
Comment #20 has been removed
November 8, 2008  03:48 AM ET
QUOTE(#15):

thats the right attitude ... once you luck out, everything would be okay. fool.

Minute posts from minute brains, eh? Luck is MADE: losers "try", winners "do" and then go home and fork the prom queen". - The movie "The Rock".

 
November 8, 2008  03:49 AM ET
QUOTE(#18):

I must agree with Grossedout, here, and I reiterate: Unless you can ANYTHING worth the reading, don't bother flying the ether cry the sink water to my winter boots!

Slipstream coagulant mortifies my inertia!

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