Otsuka is on the block?

[jacksonianmarch]

Eric Gagne was formally introduced to the ranger pukes today. He has been announced as the teams closer and it looks like Akinori Otsuka is on the block. But the brass hinted at keeping Otsuka around until ST to prove he is healthy.

[Plumpamania]

I saw that on rotoworld as well. Although I'm tempted to say that would be the ideal guy for the Sox to go after, I'm not high on giving up what they'd want. I'm sure Hart (the jackass) would want Buchholz. Personally I think if they'd take a deal with David Murphy and/or Brandon Moss as the centerpiece I'd be much more in favor of it.

[Cocos Disciples]

Murphy and Moss are not valuable pieces in a trade.

[Papelbon58]

The Rangers are going to want a starting pitcher

[TGov]

He looks to be a pretty good closer from what I saw last year, but I don't know if i would give that much up for him... hey does anyone know how many more years he has left on his contract?

[Fast Freddie]

Penny to the Rangers for Otsuka. I'm calling it now.

[BSN07]

Penny to the Rangers for Otsuka. I'm calling it now.

 

 

Based on?

 

Why would LA want otsuka? They have Broxton. Penny will be dealt for some added power to bolster LA's thin lineup.

 

If Penny is traded it's for a hitter, I'm calling it now........

[elsrbueno]

Based on?

 

Why would LA want otsuka? They have Broxton. Penny will be dealt for some added power to bolster LA's thin lineup.

 

If Penny is traded it's for a hitter, I'm calling it now........

 

They also have Saito who was pretty effective as their closer last year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Penny to the Rangers for Otsuka. I'm calling it now.

 

I would laugh in your face if you did that. Otsuka is a one yr closer who is 34-35 yrs old. Go ahead and send him Penny, who at his best is an all-star starting pitcher. He fizzled out last yr. If you deal him now, you are selling low and would essentially watch him recover while otsuka starts to decline.

[BSN07]

Fast Freddie, how do you know when you have posted something idiotic and makes very little sense, almost to the point of questioning your baseball IQ?

 

Answer- When Jackson and Red Sox fans can agree that your post is idiotic and makes very little sense,almost to the point of questioning your baseball IQ :thumbsup:

[RavenOfProphecy]

I just re-watched the Ortiz blast off of Otsuka, and I don't think I could see him as our closer. That facial expression was hilarious, though. I still think we should try and get back Mike Gonzalez after Theo stupidly traded him and Freddy Sanchez for Jeff Suppan a few years ago.

[elsrbueno]

I just re-watched the Ortiz blast off of Otsuka' date=' and I don't think I could see him as our closer. That facial expression was hilarious, though. I still think we should try and get back Mike Gonzalez after Theo stupidly traded him and Freddy Sanchez for Jeff Suppan a few years ago.[/quote']

 

Easy killer. Theo originally traded FOR him something like a week before that along with Sauerbeck, then had to pretty much redo the deal because of concerns about Brandon Lyon's health.

 

I would laugh in your face if you did that. Otsuka is a one yr closer who is 34-35 yrs old. Go ahead and send him Penny, who at his best is an all-star starting pitcher. He fizzled out last yr. If you deal him now, you are selling low and would essentially watch him recover while otsuka starts to decline.

 

Not so fast. Penny has a very low strikeout rate despite playing his entire career against inferior competition (NL East and NL West), pitching in low-pressure environments and great pitchers' parks (Florida and LA). This guy in my opinion is WAY overrated and would get eaten alive in the AL.

 

I said this when he was rumored to be headed to the Sox for Manny, and unless he proves me wrong I'm sticking to my guns on Penny.

 

That having been said trading a mid-level starter for a setup man is a bad idea-- and with Saito and Broxton on the fold Otsuka would be a setup man. There are plenty of teams looking for closers-- he's got more value trading him there.