| The Japanese Juggle |
|
|
|
| Written by Troy Chuinard | |
| Friday, 22 February 2008 | |
With the Chicago Cubs looking forward to the impact of their first ever Japanese free agent, Kosuke Fukudome, it seems that Japanese players are becoming more and more prominent across Major League Baseball. With the shortage of available talent this off-season, Fukudome and pitching star Hiroki Kuroda were given much attention, as their performances in Japan earned them much interest from several ball clubs.
Kuroda signed a multiyear deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth approximately $35 million, while Fukudome signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs somewhere in the range of $12 million/year. Will these players transition well when they enter the MLB? A little bit of research would probably indicate that these superstars will both under perform from the level of success that they experienced in Japan. It seems that several players who travel across seas to the major leagues do not have as much power for whatever reason. Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees averaged approximately 40 home runs per season while playing in the Japanese leagues, but his power numbers have almost been cut in half since entering the MLB. On the other hand, Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners stunned the baseball world when he won both the Most Valuable Player Award and Rookie of the Year honors in 2001. As far as pitchers are concerned, Daisuke Matsuzaka won 15 games in his first major league season while posting a 4.40 ERA in the fiercely competitive American League East. What does this mean for Fukudome and Kuroda? Experts predict that Fukudome will hit somewhere between 15-20 home runs and put up exceptional defensive numbers at Wrigley Field. Kuroda should be able to win at least 12 games in the pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. Many feel that Fukudome is a cross between both Matsui and Ichiro, combining a keen eye at the plate with acceptable slugging numbers. It is hard to predict Kuroda's performance, but with his overpowering fastball and superb breaking ball, there is no question that hitters will have a hard time adjusting to his approach.
The Cubs and Dodgers are looking forward to what their Japanese off-season acquisitions have to offer, and it will be entertaining to see just how well each player performs during their first full season in the big leagues. Fukudome, Kuroda, and even Matsuzaka are perfect examples of the recent Japanese talent that has opened major league scouts' eyes. On March 25, the Boston Red Sox will open up the regular season with a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics in Japan. It is clear that Commissioner Bud Selig and Major League Baseball representatives are looking to expand into international markets. Only time will tell what type of impact this attempt will have.
            |
| Next > |
|---|