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Interest will definitely increase after the Murakami signing. AL Central likely has had the fewest Japanese players over time.

Might be Hays at this point. Bader but likely too high based on 2025...CF ability and strong numbers second half. Miguel Andujar, if they limit his outfield play, has some quietly surprising numbers.

Wong has zero to do with talent identification. Purely a finance/contracts guy.

On the latest Pipeline podcast, Jim Callis had some kind words about Hagen. He basically said he looked back to his old self in the AFL, and rejuvenated his confidence he can start.

Kepler posted .1 bWAR last year in over 400 at bats. He would be like signing another Benintendi. It’s not 2018/2019 anymore.

Just pulling stuff off of Twitter: Mets free agency and trade buzz: Diamondbacks likely won't deal Ketel Marte unless they receive young pitching

You can get away with it if your starting 2B can play SS.

Kepler gives me 2021 Adam Eaton vibes in terms of being cooked.

Tokyo isn't that bad at all. Favorite Disneyland for comfort level. Studio Ghibli Amusement Park (Aichi) and Ichiro Suzuki museum run by his parents in Nagoya. Only issue was figuring out the incredibly complex shinkasen/high speed and then subway and slower trains JR Line etc. interfaces. Now Osaka and Kyoto...oppressive and overcrowded. And Okinawa has pretty amazing weather in mid-November when it's not rainy season. Shorts and flip flops nearly every day.

There was an earlier offer, the Sox wanted another player:

I think O’Hearn will be better than whatever internal options the Pirates have but I think I would prefer taking a gamble on Okamoto.

How much?

Too much. Thought they might get Okamoto instead...who could be SD bound.

Kepler is toast. Giving him an $8 mil severance package would be a very bad idea. Tauchman is considerably better at this point.

They don't really honor that system at rush hour. That said, the South Korean bathroom hidden cameras and paparazzi scandals with celebs, along with oppressive school bullying and relentless academic pressure is quite something. Japan does have that just weird/bizarre factor, a lot of it reflected in anime/manga/cosplay.

Which still leaves any new operating losses, such as the losses from last years lack of a TV contract, along with any haircut the took on the deal going forward being a much smaller number than it was in previous years.

There's finally enough interesting players to argue about who should be in the lineup.

I'd rather have Hays as well but Kepler does intrigue me until McGomery arrives.

He projected 1/8 for Kepler. At that point you might as well spend a little more and get a guy who can play CF in Bader.

That would be solid....especially with at least one of Schultz or Smith joining the rotation at some point.

Bader will get over $10 million.

Can't have a bench without a SS.

Bleday

I read teams have health concerns with Fairbanks over a nerve issue, which probably explains why other teams have prioritized non closers over him.

I’d rather have Bader than Kepler. I’d rather have Austin Hays than Kepler too.