Comments on: A Tale of Two Offers

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:40:39 +0000

I cannot understand the hype around Junichi Tazawa. First of all, he is not physically imposing at 5-11 180 pounds nor he has good athleticism.

Secondly typical Japanese/Taiwanese amateur baseball players don’t go to normal high school. They want to schools with intense baseball programs and live in dormitories. By saying “intense” I mean they don’t require to attend school as regularly as other students in the campus. Their primary objective is to play baseball. So training and traveling occupy majority of their school career. It’s hard to say if they are mentally properly developed as North American players. But I guess it’s the same case with Latin American players.

Moreover, Japanese/Taiwanese amateur pitchers normally have had too much workload . The concept of pitch count virtually don’t exist until recently. If you watch NPB games they are still managers let pitchers pitch 150+ pitches.

By: Twinkie

Twinkie — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:38:35 +0000

Ooh high socks! We need more guys who wear ‘em. There’s one guy who used to wear them all the time on his first team and I think he really really needs to do it again, Three guesses who I’m talking about and the first two don’t count. ;)

By: Liza

Liza — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:18:37 +0000

Agreed on the tall socks. They look so much better.

As for Tazawa, he seems like a good investment. I like his windup/delivery.

By: Texy

Texy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:41:05 +0000

It’s certainly to Boras’ advantage to deny that the deal on the table is 1 year – because it totally wipes out any bargaining position he has with other teams.

On the other hand, the Sox will not (and cannot) comment to confirm the report of the 1-year deal.

I trust Boras about as far as I can throw him. I don’t doubt he told Cafardo that – I just 100% doubt that Boras is telling the truth in any way, shape or form.

By: Rachel C

Rachel C — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:29:17 +0000

Yes, I will want Tazawa 200% more if he promises to wear high socks!!

The only high-sock-wearing players last year were Timlin, Varitek, and Aardsma…and several of those are quite iffy for next year.

I yearn for the high-sock days of yore, when Millar, Trot, Timlin, ‘Tek, Bellhorn, Mueller, Bronson, and many others wore them. …sigh…chicks dig the high socks, people!!

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:44:50 +0000

All I want for Christmas is Varitek.

By: jules

jules — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:39:00 +0000

PS: Cheerleaders in baseball are just so wrong.

By: jules

jules — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:36:12 +0000

I hope we sign Tazawa. He’s 22 and hasn’t played in the pros in Japan, so I imagine he might start in the minors here.

Interesting news on Tek. I saw the link that mhc posted. She’s right, who the hell knows (other than Theo). The next few weeks should be interesting.

By: anne

anne — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:33:48 +0000

Oh yes, please, Tazawa – we need more players that wear high socks!! (Saltalamacchia can come, too, I love him.)

By: mhcranberry

mhcranberry — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:56:37 +0000

For what it’s worth, by the way, Boras is saying that he wasn’t aware of any offer to Tek.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2008/11/boras_sox_haven.html

Who the hell knows what’s really happening…

By: mhcranberry

mhcranberry — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:51:00 +0000

Not too shabby. Do we know if it’s a major or minor league contract?

Also– suddenly transported back to late March, 2008.