Tadahito Iguchi

[yeszir]

From http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/thebuzz/

 

The Red Sox are apparently exploring adding a player from the Japanese league to their roster. According to Japanese web site Japan Today, the agent for Japanese free-agent second baseman Tadahito Iguchi is scheduled to meet with Sox GM Theo Epstein about a possible deal. The Yankees are reportedly interested in Iguchi as well. The 30-year-old Iguchi has played with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks since 1997, accumulating a .271 career batting average with 159 stolen bases and 149 homers. He's known as a speedster in Japan, having won two stolen base titles with 42 swipes in 2003 and 44 in 2001. He hit .333 with 24 homers and 89 RBIs in 124 games in 2004, and .340 with 27 homers and 109 RBIs in 135 games in 2003. It's not known how serious the Sox are about acquiring Iguchi. However, it should be noted that while he's now primarily a second baseman, he did play 366 games at shortstop from 1997-2000, making just 36 errors. It's well known the Red Sox are shopping for a shortstop. According to an ESPN.com scouting report, "his fielding would be above average. However, he has been playing on artificial turf. He could struggle on natural grass, just like Kaz Matsui did with the Mets. He has some power, but he will mainly be the type of player who hits between the gaps. He cares about on-base percentage (his OBP for 2003 season was .438) more than hits and home runs, so he could transfer from the middle of the lineup to the leadoff spot.

 

I kind of like this possible addition. He seems like speed demon, something the sox don't really have much of but could use (see: Dave Roberts in the ALCS). His power and average numbers probably wouldn't translate very high in MLB, since its usually much tougher here (something that didnt really affect ichiro). Anyway, seems like everything is a battle between the sox and the yankes now.

[Soxfan1]

Is he getting offers from a lot of teams?

[schillingouttheks]

the only other team mentioned in the article is the yankees, although i wouldnt be surprised if some other teams have started to take some notice.

[elsrbueno]

Gotta love a speedster, but I wouldn't get too excited about this kid. Kaz Matsui (probably the best comparison) was a STAR in Japan but just OK here in his first year. (.272, 7 HR, 14 SB). Granted, Hideki Matsui was significantly better in his second year, so I'd expect Kazuo to improve.

 

I say the Sox should go after him, but he may be hitting his stride just when Hanley is ready, if the last 2 guys are a good example.

 

Of course, Ichiro suffered no setbacks upon coming over, winning ROY and MVP in his first season....

 

I'd love it if the Sox signed a speedster/leadoff type guy for shortstop. This guy seems like he fits that mold.

[yankeessuck013]

yankees are his first choice (according to friends)

 

Japanese free agent second baseman Tadahito Iguchi has begun to intrigue the Yankees, in part because the Red Sox are interested in him. Iguchi has told friends the Yankees are his first choice

 

link

[elsrbueno]

Originally posted by yankeessuck013@Dec 7 2004, 12:22 PM

yankees are his first choice (according to friends)

 

Japanese free agent second baseman Tadahito Iguchi has begun to intrigue the Yankees, in part because the Red Sox are interested in him. Iguchi has told friends the Yankees are his first choice

 

link

Don't trust everything you read.

 

I read this too, but I disregarded it. The Yankees interest seems to be mostly because the Red Sox expressed interest, and look where that got them with Contreras.

 

HA! Had to gloat a little about THAT one... suckers.