SI Report: Pirates in on LHP Hisanori Takahashi
by Alleghenys on Feb 6, 2010 3:33 PM EST
17 comments
The Pirates are one of at least six teams interested in LHP Hisanori Takahashi, according to Jon Heyman at SI.com. The 34-year-old Takahashi is a free agent after 10 years with the Yomiuri Giants, where he posted up-and-down numbers as a starter. Last year, he put up a 2.94 ERA and 126/36 K/BB in 144 innings.
He wants to remain a starter and features a plus screwball and an 85-90 mph fastball, supplemented by a slider and curve. He likely wouldn't be a lefty specialist after lefties hit .300 against him (righties hit .250) last year.
The Giants and Dodgers are considered front-runners for his services, with the Mets, Red Sox and Padres also in the mix. A decision is expected this week.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.
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Looks like the others are trying to snag Takahashi on a minor league contract. Would he be worth a major league deal at the minimum?
Stats seem solid, but I must admit I am not the least bit familiar with him.
Cost would be a DFA of Jabubaukus or someone else who may pass through based on recent history.
I've posted about his availability
several times this offseason.
I don’t think he has the stuff or durability to make 30+ starts in MLB.
I didn’t see him live in 2009, but from prior experience I would say his FB tops out more in the 87-88 mph range, with it on a rare occasion hitting 90(144/5 km/h).
But I do think he would be a useful lefty at the right price, especially with guys like Javier Lopez and the still-injured Neal Cotts as lefty relief options so far.
There is no reason the pirates should consider him
He is not a good fifth starter and the bucs should stay away at all cost…..I’d rather see them give Daniel McCutchen, Wil Ledezma, Kevin Hart, or DJ Carrasco a chance rather than then a NPB pitcher past his prime…..
Only one of those guys...
…is left-handed, and that one (Ledezma) is far from a sure thing. The general consensus is that Takahashi’s MLB future (if he has one) is in relief. As such, analyzing him as a potential SP is kind of pointless.
I think we need at least one more lefty NRI in camp to compete for a spot in the pen, so if the price is reasonable, I think they should do it.
by Vlad on Feb 7, 2010 8:13 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’d say Ledezma pretty much is a sure thing. He really sucks.
And, yeah, there are still lefties out there and I’d like to see somebody else at least coming to camp.
by WTM on Feb 7, 2010 8:23 AM EST up reply actions
Right now, I see two scenarios:
1) We go with a six-man pen, with Lopez as the only lefty. This gives us an extra bench spot, which would be nice, but is against the grain of modern reliever usage.
2) We end up wasting a roster spot on a replacement-level lefty like Jack Taschner, just to get a second LHRP for the pen. I would rather not have this happen.
There’s no way in hell our bullpen holds up past mid May if we carry 6 relievers. I just can’t see it happening. Although, we DID basically carry six the last 2 seasons with Meek and Veal in better hiding than bin Laden….
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Maybe a little better. When Kuwata came to the Pirates, he was four years older, and had posted ERAs between 5.93 and 7.25 in his past four seasons. Takahashi, while not in his prime, has been more effective recently.
This is not the same as Masumi Kuwata.
Kuwata was a dominant starting pitcher for many years in Japan prior to a serious arm injury, and, as is mentioned above, was really on the downside of his career before coming to the Pirates.
Hisanori Takahashi really has had an “up-and-down” as a starter, but still should have a good bit left in the tank to pitch effectively, although a relief role would seem most suitable for him in MLB. (Hideki Okajima went through the starter/closer merry-go-round in Japan before finding his niche as a situational lefty in MLB. There’s always a chance that Takahashi could do the same.)
Kuwata was also a tremendous hitter and excellent fielder in Japan.
IIRC, Takahashi is not a good hitter and just an average fielder.
I cannot overemphasize enough how much accidental good Dave Littlefield did the Pirates by signing Kuwata for the team’s exposure in Japan and to pave the way for future Japanese signings by the club.
And remember that both guys spent their Japan careers with the Yomiuri Giants, which is a pressure-cooker environment for baseball anywhere.
If another team ups the ante by giving Takahashi starter’s money, then we should just walk, IMO, but, if not, I think it says a lot that both Vlad and WTM also think we need another decent lefty arm in camp later this month.
Hmmm
It implies the Pirates might give him a chance to start. Sounds unlikely to me, although they might offer him a ML deal.
Well...
If they give him a chance to start (meaning he has to compete), I wouldn’t see anything wrong with that. He’s no Dice-K, but as the #5 pitcher in the rotation, I think we have seen much worse. cough Matt Morris
As long as we don’t pay a ton of cash, this is a decent move by the bucs
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I remember Kuwata having a contract offer
from the Red Sox, but supposedly chose the Bucs because he knew there was a reasonable chance he could pitch some games in Pittsburgh over the long season, and was aware that his chances of getting away from AAA with Boston were slim.
I’ll guarantee you that Kuwata is feeding Takahashi a similar line in recent days, along with the added comfort bonus of playing with Iwamura and how he is already adjusted to life and baseball in the U.S.
Chuck Finder is saying right now the Pirates have no interest in Takahashi, but I suspect it is the proverbial smoke screen from management.
IMO, I would be very surprised if Takahashi couldn’t do more for the team in 2010 than Javier Lopez.
“Depth is your friend” as Vlad likes to say, and little positive steps to improve the team without sidetracking the ultimate goal of building a winning club in a couple more years should be taken when the opportunity presents itself.
agreed
Also, i didn’t think Finder gives that good of evidence to convince me the Pirates aren’t serious. I think if they offer the guy a 1 year ML contract with a “chance” to start with the understanding that he could end up in the bullpen and mutual vesting option for next year, he might take it. What team can honestly offer him a guaranteed spot in the rotation?
There doesn’t seem to be any team offering him a ML contract, let alone a chance at a rotation spot. I would have to say that our chances are very good based on that info and I’d rather have Takahashi than Ledezma, Beimel, Ohman or Eveland (no longer available) or any other of the platter of uninspiring available lefties.
by Say Hey Johnny Ray on Feb 8, 2010 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
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