Each and every year we see a steady influx of players from both Japan and Cuba venturing to North America and this offseason has been no exception. Aroldis Chapman, the flame throwing Cuban southpaw, has been the focus of most of the media attention as of late and has recently signed on with the Cincinnati Reds for the next six seasons. Now that the much vaunted Chapman has signed, that still leaves a slew of import talent that bears reviewing and has been for the most part flying under the radar. Let’s take a quick look at some of the off-season talent looking to ply their trade in the majors in 2010.

Ryota Igarashi, New York Mets, RP: The Mets recently signed Igarashi, one of the two NPB free agents looking to make their mark in the Show this year. The Met bullpen is in disarray and they are sorely going to need the 31-year-old to step up and fill a set-up role in 2010. Igarashi certainly has the tools and the mentality for the job with that mid-90s high heat. In 2009 for the Yakult Swallows he managed three saves and 29 holds. As a closer in 2004, he racked up a stellar 37-save effort. Igarashi has a history of being able to get the job done and Met fans better pray that he transitions well to the North American game as they are going to need his arm in the worst way this season.

Colby Lewis, Texas Rangers, SP: It appears that Lewis’ career has now come full circle with his recent signing of a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Lewis was originally selected by the Rangers in the first round (38th overall) of the 1999 amateur entry draft. He was rushed to the show and struggled in his initial appearance as a 23-year-old, subsequently blowing out his shoulder and missing most of the 2004/2005 seasons. After struggling to return to form, Lewis made the move to Japan and found his game with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He has been the leading strikeout pitcher in the NPB Central League two years running, amassing 369 Ks in 354 1/3 IP. What is even more impressive is his control, with a scant 27 and 19 free passes over those same two seasons. Get on the train, guys, because this one’s leaving the station and there are currently way too many vacant seats.

Scott Atchison, Boston Red Sox, RP: The recently-signed Atchison is also returning from Japan, where he posted a 1.70 ERA while allowing 60 hits and 20 walks in 90 IP for the Hanshin Tigers last year. In a set-up capacity, he also was amongst the league leaders with 30 holds. The Red Sox international scouting group, led by Craig Shipley, has made another excellent foray into the Japanese market with this signing. Look for Atchison to be a solid complement to both Daniel Bard and Hideki Okajima in the Red Sox bullpen in 2010.

Hisanori Takahashi, FA, SP: The crafty veteran of the Yomiuri Giants declared his free agency and is still looking for a home in the majors. Takahashi sports an average fastball complemented by an excellent screwball. He’s been a starter for most of his career, but as recently as 2006 he did manage 15 saves in a relief capacity. There is always a demand for left-handed pitching, so anticipate a signing sometime in the next couple of weeks. A clear definition of Takahashi’s role will be needed before we can determine how he fits into Fantasy plans for the upcoming season.

Noel Arguelles, Kansas City Royals, SP: The Royals actually found some time this offseason to sign someone other than aging outfielders and mediocre middle-infielders. They recently signed Arguelles, a 20-year-old Cuban southpaw, to a five-year deal worth a rumoured $7 million. Included in his repertoire is a solid fastball in the low 90s, complemented by a changeup. Arguelles will probably report to High-A ball this season where he will begin his journey to the bigs. For those Fantasy players that partake in deeper dynasty leagues, he is certainly an intriguing option that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Julio Iglesias, Boston Red Sox, SS: Boston’s signing of Marco Scutaro is purely a stop-gap measure, as it eagerly awaits the arrival of the 20-year-old Iglesias. His glove is already MLB ready, but he does need some work with the stick. Once the bat develops, watch for Iglesias to be a fixture in the middle of the Boston infield for many years to come. Assuming we see improvement in both his patience and strike zone judgment in the minors this season, a September call-up for this young phenom could be in the cards.

Yuniesky Maya, FA, SP: The 27-year-old was the Cuban league Pitcher of the Year in 2008, his last full season there. Maya finished second in the league with a 2.22 ERA, first in complete games with seven, and second in strikeouts with 119. He brings a great low-to-mid-90s heater with solid secondary pitches. The rumour mill had the Mets and the White Sox in the running for Maya’s services, but I’d have to give the edge to Kenny Williams and the Sox with their history in the Cuban market. Maya has the potential to be a huge asset as a No. 3 starter in 2010. This is one player deserving of our attention pending his eventual destination.

Yadel Marti, FA, SP/RP: WBC fans should have no trouble in remembering the name Yadel Marti. In the inaugural event in 2006 he was named to the all-tournament team after posting one win and two saves while not allowing an earned run in 12 2/3 IP. He has since left Cuba and was showing off his talents this offseason in the Dominican Winter League. In 31 1/3 IP with the Tigres del Licey, he had allowed 29 hits and six walks to go along with a 3-1 won/loss record and great 2.30 ERA. Control is the name of the game for Marti. The 30-year-old has a very unique motion that is certain to cause problems with hitters from a timing perspective — at least initially. He could eventually be an asset in either middle-relief or as a bottom of the rotation starter, but should be on the radar depending on where he eventually signs and what his role will be.

Back in an article in early September we advised the world of the impending free agency of Junichi Tazawa, the starting pitcher from Nippon Oil Eneos of the Industrial Leagues in Japan. Since then, Tazawa has firmly committed to following his dream of pitching at the MLB level, the debate has stirred, the rules have changed, and Brian Cashman has attempted to immortalize himself as the eternal good guy in a recent New York Times article. Now, isn’t that just a handful to digest all in one sitting?

Let’s now move forward and take a look at some of the details. Yes, Tazawa is a free agent and as a result of his decision to seek free agency, a rather heated debate has been stirred dealing with both the “gentlemen’s agreements” between MLB and the NPB, and a series of accusations by the NPB.

There is no “raiding of players” as has been suggested over the past short while. Tazawa simply went to high school, played baseball, and when he went undrafted, he decided to ply his trade in the semi-professional Industrial Leagues. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2008 and as a free agent has decided that he wants to play in North America. Again, I would like to reiterate that this is not about corporate raiding, but a player in another country having the option of choosing his destiny according to the rules that are in place in his home country. He did not make these rules and guidelines, but is simply following the options that have been presented in this set of circumstances. He let everyone know of his rights and now we have a fallout and debate that has been simply blown way out of proportion.

Where was the NPB during this time, I ask? Tazawa could have been drafted and signed by any NPB team as both a high school player and as an Industrial League player and now that he is coming off a good year — make that a great year — you want the option to both have your cake and eat it too. Instead of attempting to rectify this situation by signing these players, expanding their minor league system or doing anything that remotely assumes a good and solid responsibility towards the game, the powers that be in the NPB have been pouting and crying foul, blaming their current misfortunes on everyone and anyone except whom they should be.

They had options, but now that Tazawa is coming off a great campaign, they choose to blame everyone but themselves for this predicament. Tazawa did nothing wrong. He played the game, excelled at it and chose one of the options that were available to him under the rules, namely to play his services at the MLB level as a free agent. Again, this process was initiated by Tazawa and thus the accusations of MLB raiding are in this case not warranted.

In an attempt to rectify this situation, the NPB determined that simply changing the rules would be the course it would pursue and have since instituted a new series of rules whereupon if Japanese players choose to leave as free agents they will be barred from playing in the NPB for up to three years if they ever choose to return to Japan.

This childish posturing is not going to resolve the issue, either now nor in the future.

Moving on we have Cashman chipping in with his two cents in that recent NY Times piece, the gist of which centred around the “gentlemen’s agreements” between the NPB and MLB. I guess my first question is where was the hue and cry when Kaz Tadano came over as a free agent in the same manner? Of course, given his off-the field activities (read: starring in gay porn movies), he wasn’t a desired commodity by the NPB so this was not an issue at that time.

If a free agent wishes the opportunity to ply his skills at the MLB level, or for that matter in the NPB, and has such right, what options are available? All this talk from Cashman about being the good neighbour and “gentlemen’s agreements” I find a bit trying. Couldn’t the reason have more to do with the fact that the Yanks have been burnt twice — first by Hideki Irabu and then Kei Igawa?

Under these circumstances I think it would be just a tad difficult to convince the Steinbrenner clan to cough up more cash for a 22-year-old free agent pitcher from Japan. As far as the “formal co-operative relationship” between the Yankees and Yomiuri as mentioned in the New York Times article, what exactly would that be? Brian, you’re dealing with a team that has refused to recognize the posting system, a rule that is currently in place in the league that as the most powerful NPB club, they attempt to run.

Do you think that simple chatter will change the free agency requirements currently in place in the NPB or, for that matter, provide anything that would be beneficial? You may exchange pleasantries and swap ads in your respective media guides, but other than that what is this agreement of sorts really accomplishing?

Enough ranting here, and let’s get back to Tazawa the player, not the political problem he’s become. In the recently completed National Corporate Championships, he was extremely impressive, tossing two shutouts, and allowing no earned runs in 20 2/3 IP. Tazawa has shown enormous potential this year and next season will likely bring that low-90s heat and breaking stuff to a Double-A or Triple-A park, and attempt to demonstrate that he has the abilities to excel and move up the ladder.

Not to take anything away from his fine season, but we are talking about a club team in the third tier of the Japanese game, so at this time, it would be prudent to temper your expectations. Yes, there is always the chance that Tazawa’s skills translate well and he does perform at the big league level in the immediate future, but he has a lot to prove at this stage of the game before that opportunity presents itself.

Now that the Industrial League season has concluded, Tazawa has been entertaining offers for his services from the Braves, Red Sox, Rangers and Mariners. According to an article on Friday on Japanball.com, Tazawa has rejected the offers from Texas, Seattle and Atlanta and is looking at Boston, with his final decision to be made within the next few days.

For now I say good fortunes to Junichi Tazawa as he continues his journey in the game he loves. He has done nothing but demonstrate a level of class and respect that unfortunately many of the other stakeholders in this situation have not.

The Seibu Lions and Yomiuri Giants are engaged in a good old fashioned barn burner, with the series squared at a game piece and Game Three on tap Tuesday night.

Game One brought back memories of last season’s Japan Series finale when two Chunichi Dragon hurlers combined to toss a no-hitter as they eliminated the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

When it took until the fourth inning before the Giants snapped Hideaki Wakui’s no-no, it looked like the improbable of improbables was shaping up – back-to-back Series no-hitters.

But a fourth-inning error by Seibu brought Giant slugger Alex Ramirez to the plate and he hit a ball to right that looked catchable, but Lion right fighter Hiram Bocachica, after making a diving catch, had the ball roll out of his glove for an RBI double.

“The ball was in my glove, but then my glove got stuck in the turf and I almost broke my wrist,” Bocachica told The Daily Yomiuri.

Bocachica’s shame for making the only mistake of the game ended when Takuya Kimura hit a leadoff single in the ninth off Lion closer Alex Graman, but that’s all the Giants could accomplish in dropping the opener, 2-1.

In Game Two on Sunday night, The Giants pulled one out of the fire when Ramirez went yard with one out in the ninth inning to give Yomirui a 3-2 win and a 1-1 series tie.

If Seibu hopes to gain control of this series, it needs to manufacture a run in this series; all five of its runs so far have come via the home run.

A probable early round choice heading into this year’s NPB draft, Tazawa throws a low 90s fastball, a curve and a shuuto, which is a pitch common to NPB hurlers that breaks down and in to right-handers when thrown by a righty (it’s essentially a reverse slider). It looks like the Red Sox are being very serious in their efforts to both scout and recruit from the Asian market and it is going to be very interesting to see the reaction from the NPB should Boston or any other MLB team sign Tazawa prior to the draft. 

This is definitely a name and a situation that merits monitoring over the next several months.

Uehara should be a most welcome addition to a MLB starting rotation for 2009. He consistently pounds the strike zone and flat out doesn’t walk people. With a career K/BB ratio of 6.9 to 1 and a nine-year total of only 190 free passes, he should transition to the majors as a very strong No. 3 calibre starting pitcher with great potential to have immediate success. For those in deep keeper formats, the time to start acquiring Koji Uehara would be today.

With the holiday season now behind us, let’s take a quick look at some of the recent happenings around the NPB.

It has been a very busy offseason over in Japan, with the Yomiuri Giants – the “evil empire” of the NPB – being front and centre in the news. The Yankees might have written the book on how to buy a championship, but the Yomiuri Giants stole most of the pages this winter. The Giants added three top tier free-agents in Marc Kroon, Alex Ramirez, and Seth Greisinger to an already impressive lineup that managed to win the Central League title in 2007.

The acquisition of Kroon will allow Yomiuri to slide Koji Uehara back into the starting rotation for 2008. Uehara will be eligible for free agency after another eight days of service time and is in all likelihood heading to MLB for 2009. This past season, Ramirez set a new league record for hits with 204 and led the league with a whopping 122 RBI. Greisinger went 16-8 with a 2.84 ERA for Tokyo Yakult in 2007.

As it sits right now, barring catastrophe, you can pretty much pencil Yomiuri in for another Central League title in 2008.

One of the top potential free agents this past offseason was closer Hitoki Iwase of the Chunichi Dragons. Iwase elected to not exercise his free agent rights and recently re-signed with Chunichi for one year. Offered both a one- and a four-year deal, he chose the shorter deal, explaining that this will allow him time to more carefully look at his future this coming year. This one sounds an awful lot like the Hiroki Kuroda situation that occurred in 2006. With three consecutive seasons of 40 or more saves and a career ERA of 1.97 in over 500 appearances over nine seasons, should Iwase decide to venture to MLB he could very well be a top acquisition heading into 2009.

Softbank Hawks’ righthander Kazumi Saito has finally decided to have surgery to repair his damaged right rotator cuff. This past year, he had a 6-3 record with a 2.74 ERA in only 12 starts, and, as we discussed in May, he chose to attempt to rehab his shoulder muscle fatigue rather than taking the surgery route. This is a major setback and will probably mean another short season, if he pitches at all in 2008. For those hoping to see Kazumi playing in MLB real soon, I think those plans better be revised.

In early December, the Hanshin Tigers’ hard tossing closer Kyuji Fujikawa formally advised his team of his desire to pitch in the majors, as early as the 2009 season. Team owner Tsuneaki Miyazaki’s response was, “We will never consider using the posting system for him.” Fujikawa currently has another four-plus years before heading into free agency. Now, this is the same team that posted Kei Igawa following the 2006 season, so there is at least some history here that Hanshin is willing to use the posting system, but at this time it looks like Fujikawa will be looking at MLB much further down the road than he’d prefer. This past season, he tied the single-season record with 46 saves to go along with a stellar 1.63 ERA (although, believe it or not, that was his worst ERA over the last three seasons). Even more amazing, over the past three seasons, Fujiwaka has struck out 376 in only 254 2/3 innings with a mere 35 earned runs. These are truly staggering numbers, leading one to easily understand Hanshin’s position on that posting request.

Speaking of interesting rumours, the current scuttlebutt concerning Yu Darvish is certainly a gem. Reports surfaced that he was heading to the Yankees through the posting system for 2009. Squash this one right quick. The 21-year-old, coming off both a Pacific League MVP and Sawamura Award this past season, has another six years before he’ll attain free agency. Last year, Darvish went 15-5 with a 1.82 ERA and a league-leading 210 strikeouts.

What I do consider very interesting is that even if he completes the full nine years to attain free agency and has the desire to pitch in North America, he would still only be 27 at that time. A posting could be possible in the future, but certainly not as early as 2009. Prior to Christmas, Darvish re-upped with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on a contract that will be paying him 200 million yen for 2008. To put this in perspective, Ichiro, Hideki Matsui and Dice-K all took six years to reach the 200 million yen mark. Darvish is the youngest player to ever reach that salary level.

After the furor last year with Dice-K, Igawa and Akinori Iwamura all moving to MLB through the posting system, this offseason has been a very quiet one. In fact, there have been no postings at all. Three top candidates, Koji Uehara, Shinnosuke Abe, and Tomo Nioka, are all property of Yomiuri, a team that steadfastly refuses to use the posting system.

Lotte Marines right-hander Hiroyuki Kobayashi had requested a posting this offseason but was turned down. Coming off three double-digit win seasons and a 2.69 ERA in 2007, the 29-year-old Kobayashi should be on the radar heading into the fall of 2008. Combine that with the younger players who are simply too young and valuable, and it was just one of those years.

Wrapping this up, let’s take a moment to congratulate the Japanese side for its recent success in the Asian Olympic qualifier. Team Japan was led by the “kiddie corps” pitching trio of Hideaki Wakui, Yu Darvish, and the elder statesman of this group at 22, Yoshihisa Naruse. They swept all three games, earning a ticket to Beijing this summer. Combined, this group went 48-10 in 2007.

Add to that rotation the veteran presence of Koji Uehara , with Kenshin Kawakami and Hiroyuki Kobayashi in middle relief and possibly two of the best closers on the planet in Iwase and Fujikawa. While the offense this time around would be lacking in the power department, little ball and that pitching will be the keys to a podium finish.

While things didn’t work out so well for teammate Mark Prior this year, Kerry Wood has been impressive in his first week back in the Show in over a year. History has taught us not to get too excited when it comes to Wood, but so far, his transition to the bullpen is going quite well. In three appearances covering 3 2/3 innings, he has yet to give up a run while surrendering just three hits. Wood has fanned four and walked two. Like I said, it’s very early days, and the fact that he needs more time to warm up than other relievers suggests this is still a work in progress, but the results so far are encouraging. It will be interesting to see if Wood can work his way into a more vital bullpen role by season’s end.

Today we’ve got a mishmash of material to report, including some notes from Japan and Independent Ball.

RotoRob.com MLB Rankings Editor and resident Japanese Baseball expert Tim McLeod passed along an interesting tidbit about Japanese star outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, originally expected to be one of the top NPB free agents potentially heading to North America next season.

Fukudome was deactivated by the Chunichi Dragons a couple of weeks ago because of an elbow injury he suffered last month.

Apparently, Tim reports, there’s a rumor that the two-time batting champion is headed to the U.S. this week for further medical evaluation. It’s unclear why he’d need to travel to the U.S. to have his elbow looked at.

The problem here is that once he’s placed on the inactive list, it puts his future status as a free agent for 2008 in jeopardy. Fukudome needed less than 30 active days to qualify, but that gets pushed back for every day on the inactive list.

Fukudome, a member of the Japanese team that won the first WBC last year, wasn’t in the starting lineup for three straight games because of this problem prior to the all-star break starting July 16.

The team has not offered any more details about Fukudome’s injury other than to say surgery was not a possibility. I suppose that’s good news.

But for those who have drafted him in keeper leagues, this is a potentially disastrous situation if you were banking on him being a major leaguer in 2008. Fukudome, batting .294 in 81 games this season, would have met the free agent requirements on August 21, but now we’ll need to monitor the situation to see if he’ll still qualify this year or not.

Former Met pitching prospect Harold Eckert has resurfaced with the Newark Bears of the Independent Atlantic League. As a New Jersey native, Eckert gets to try to revitalize his flagging professional career at home with the first half North Division Champions. The righty, who turned 30 last month, was a 19th rounder by the Dodgers back in 1999, but control problems that have plagued him in recent years were ultimately his undoing after a seven-year career in organized ball.

Eckert never pitched for the Dodgers organization originally. After signing his first pro contract in June 1999, the deal was voided in September before he ever appeared in game for the system. The Mets signed him after the 2000 season and he finally made his debut the following year.

In 2001, Eckert looked like he had promise, pacing the NYPL in wins (nine) and ranking fifth in strikeouts with 75. He followed that up the next year at Low-A Columbia with a career-best 13 wins (good for third in the Sally League) and career-bests with 22 starts, 139 1/3 innings and 149 strikeouts (the latter figure good for fourth in the league).

In 2003, he advanced to High-A and pitched well, but was limited by injuries.

Prior to the 2004 season – ironically enough – Eckert was dealt back to the Dodgers and he progressed to Triple-A by the end of that season, spending three and a half years at that level before the Dodgers released him last month. He has never appeared in a major league game.

The former Florida International star authored 46 minor league wins in 171 games (101 starts).

After spending most of the season as a reliever for Triple-A Las Vegas, Eckert is back to starting with the Bears and he’s done quite well so far (1-0, 3.00 in three starts), most promisingly showing improvements in his control with just five walks in 18 IP to go along with 23 Ks.

To make room for Eckert, the Bears placed another blast from the past on the DL – RHP Travis Phelps. Originally an 89th round pick by Tampa Bay back in 1996, Phelps has been in professional baseball for 11 years, enjoying his finest season with the Rays in 2001 when he spent a portion of the year as the closer.

Phelps, who also turned 30 last month, has pitched 79 games in the majors, last appearing in the Show in 2004 with Milwaukee, and he’s also pitched in the Braves’, Reds’, Cubs’ and Astros’ systems.

This is his second go-round in the Atlantic League, having pitched a couple of games for Camden last year. This season, Phelps has performed a variety of roles, starting two of the 10 games he’s appeared in while also earning two saves. He’s currently 0-2 with a 5.24 ERA, thanks mostly to major long ball problems (five allowed in just 22 1/3 innings). Don’t be looking for an invitation back to organized ball for Phelps anytime soon.

Koji Uehara, the closer for the Yomiuri Giants and someone who could be MLB-bound in 2008, started Game 1 of the All-Star Series on Friday.

A hamstring injury in the spring prompted a move to the bullpen for Koji, and he very nicely slid into the closer’s role for the Giants, displaying his usual outstanding command (18 Ks against 2 BBs at last check). Shifting back to starting does nothing but boost his value if he is in fact heading towards an MLB career in 2008.