The AP reports Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa moved a step closer to signing with the Boston Red Sox after rejecting offers from three other major league teams.
The 22-year-old right-hander contacted the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves on Friday to reject their offers, Kyodo News agency reported Friday.
Tazawa is expected to hold a news conference early next week to announce his decision. He reportedly received offers from the Rangers, Braves, Mariners and Red Sox.
Daibutsu, Kamakura
Daibutsu in Kamakura, June 2010. There were thousands of school kids visiting that day. It was still great fun.
Japan's reaction (banning the hiring of players who return after skipping the amateur draft to go pro overseas) seems rather spiteful. Do they have the same rule in the US?
ReplyDeleteI loved going to watch baseball when I lived in NYC for a couple of years. Somehow, though, I just don't fancy going to see any games in Japan. Just doesn't hold the same appeal for some reason..
Going to a Japanese baseball game is a bit like a hollow ritual. They attend but aren't sure why they are there...
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a bit of trade of players between Japan and the US, it makes things more like a real "world" series....
Still isn't soccer though.
Chris: There is no ban in the US. The only way you could keep them from leaving probably is through some sort of labor contract. Otherwise they have no legal right to prevent someone. I would think it would be the same in Japan.
ReplyDeleteContamination: I agree. It is definitely not soccer. Soccer seems to be exploding in popularity in Japan. The soccer games have a lot of energy.