Tazawa Explained
Tony Massarotti, now with Boston.com, has a good handle on the expected Red Sox signing of Junichi Tazawa.
It is being reported that Tazawa is going to sign a 3-year, $3 million Major League contract with Boston sometime this week, most likely once he's gone through a team physical. The question most people have is how will this potentially impact his free agent rights?
Per Maz, "Though Tazawa's deal is three years in length, the Sox will possess his rights until the player has six years of major league service. Once Tazawa's contract expires, he will become subject to the rules of a drafted player, meaning he would be eligible for arbitration in each season after accruing three, four, and five years of service time. The earliest Tazawa could be eligible for free agency would be in the fall of 2014. For that to happen, he would have to make the 25-man roster next spring and remain with the big club for six seasons."
So even though it is a Major League deal, is seemingly just means they need to make room for him on the 40-man roster. Am I missing anything? If service time is required, i.e. actually being on the 25-man roster, then who cares what kind of deal he signed? It means he gets much more money probably, but aside from that, I don't get it.
Please chime in on this, just what is the significance of signing a Major League deal aside from the teaming need to clear room on their 40-man?
There is also talk that given Tazawa is a Japanese pitcher, the Professional Leagues in Japan are not happy that the Red Sox and other MLB teams made a bid for him. There is talk of payback and other fire and brimstone. Not sure why they are so upset or if they really are, Tazawa wasn't under any contract and told all the teams he wanted to play in the States.
Other news, Tim Bogar was signed to be the Red Sox first base coach in 2009 and the Red Sox traded for Wes Littleton last week. Littleton hasn't done much in the Majors but seems to be able to handle righties fairly well. So that might be his role should be make the big league team.
I echo what Peter said, please turn on the heat for this year's Hot Stove.
Comments
"Not sure why they are so upset or if they really are, Tazawa wasn't under any contract and told all the teams he wanted to play in the States."
The issue is MLB teams are taking away Japan's stars of tomorrow. This is roughly the equivalent of one of the Japanese teams paying the next A-Rod to come play in Japan for more money than go to MLB.
Posted by: Tom | December 1, 2008 03:36 PM |
Tom, I agree that it is a concern that a player bypassed the normal route to the States. But so far this is just one guy. And, as far as I know, there isn't any rule/agreement stopping an American (or any other nationality) from skipping the amateur draft and going right to Japan.
I'm not sure I agree with your ARod example as Tazawa is supposed to be a good talent, but in no way have I read he is the next ARod or anything close. I'm hoping he can be a good middle reliever at this point as any amateur has a ton to prove and it just isn't likely he (or any other high draft pick) is going to be anything more than servicable.
But I suppose I do understand the Japanese Leagues getting worried, especially if this is a trend. I imagine an agreement that involves compensation will arise from this.
Now, once they do that, it's time to have an international draft as the current amateur draft represents just a fraction of the talent coming into baseball these days.
Posted by: Andy | December 1, 2008 08:31 PM |
I believe they are upset that no team in the Japanese league will get a posting fee, as always, it probably is about money, pure and simple.
Posted by: blmeanie | December 2, 2008 07:57 AM |
Hey Andy, I gotta agree with you on this being much ado about nothing (or very little at least). Even if the Japanese league guys are upset, can you imagine a bona fide American mlb prospect signing with a Japanese team for a bit more cash when he has a chance to go to the show right here in the US? I can't. I see their anger and posturing as a paper tiger without any teeth. Just my opinion but playing in the Japan leagues seems to be a last resort for marginal and aging American mlb players.
Posted by: Jack | December 2, 2008 05:51 PM |
Jack,
I agree that the Japanese Leagues are not at MLB level (I've read on this site that it is believed they are a AAAA type league). And with that and the fact that MLB offers a much higher pay scale, few American prospects are likely to go to Japan.
But I do suspect if Tazawa like migrations persist, the Japanese Leagues will demand an official "agreement" or they will simply tell any Japanese born player that goes directly to the States that he/she is no longer welcome in the Japanese Leagues.
We shall see.
Posted by: Andy | December 2, 2008 09:37 PM |
Per Ian Browne on MLB.com (http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081130&content_id=3695971&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos) The Japanese Leagues DID impose a restriction.
From Browne "Tazawa took the unusual step of asking Japanese pro teams not to select him in their November draft. Japanese teams accommodated that request, but instituted a rule that he will be ineligible for professional baseball for at least three seasons after he has pitched in the United States."
Interesting, so it looks like they took care of this kind of issue and made it very painful for a player if he chooses the same route as Tazawa.
Posted by: Andy | December 4, 2008 03:24 PM |