I know he stunk it up as a starter, but the guy is tough to actually hit (gives up less than a hit an inning and has done that consistently at the major league level). He has had a problem with walks, but what would everyone think about picking him up on the cheap and using him as the 2nd lefty in the pen as well as a potential long arm.

 

Ishii supposedly has a pretty rubber arm, although I have no idea why he only appeared in 19 games last year (I'm guessing it must have been an injury, that or its because he stunk so much).

 

He's just 31 and really doesnt' have bad stuff. He gets a good # of k's, limits hits, but would have to improve control. Could a move to the pen help that?

I think he's likely heading back to Japan. Even though it's the type of guy that could help our team, his control is just way too shaky to count on out of the pen.

I think he's negotiating a 3-year deal back with Nippon.

Ya, ignore my idea. I just read that the Swallows were interested in him and he's pretty much told everyone he will only sign if he can start. I don't think he'll get that opportunity in the majors so he's gonna be on his way back to Japan.

 

He pitches good against lefties though, so it would have been nice and I'm sure dirt cheap.

Regardless, I'm done with the Japanese smoke-and-mirrors pitching experiment.

 

Once these guys are seen by the majority of the league, they're toast in the MLB.

Regardless, I'm done with the Japanese smoke-and-mirrors pitching experiment.

 

Once these guys are seen by the majority of the league, they're toast in the MLB.

 

I think it has more to do with the fact that they throw so many pitches at early ages in the Japanese system, they lose their stuff at a very young age.

I think it has more to do with the fact that they throw so many pitches at early ages in the Japanese system, they lose their stuff at a very young age.

 

That's an arguement that can be made. Sure. But, take a look at what happens to these imports after they are seen once or twice. These are big-leauge hitters. If you try and come at them with smoke-and-mirrors, you're gonna get figured out. Have there been exceptions? I'm sure. But, this is an on-going theory I have and I really think there is something to it.

He already has signed with the Swallows (I know there's a joke there) in Japan. His release was just a formality.

Regardless, I'm done with the Japanese smoke-and-mirrors pitching experiment.

 

Once these guys are seen by the majority of the league, they're toast in the MLB.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

And Bobby V wanted to have the Sox face the Japanese WS winner. What a joke.

He already has signed with the Swallows (I know there's a joke there) in Japan. His release was just a formality.

First he suck, now he a Swallow.

 

Regardless, I'm done with the Japanese smoke-and-mirrors pitching experiment.

 

Once these guys are seen by the majority of the league, they're toast in the MLB.

So you wouldn't try to sign Daisuke Matsuzuka if you could?

First he suck, now he a Swallow.

 

 

I put it on a tee for you, but I give you credit, you hit it out of the park.

Regardless, I'm done with the Japanese smoke-and-mirrors pitching experiment.

 

Once these guys are seen by the majority of the league, they're toast in the MLB.

 

I think there have been plenty of Japanese Imports who have excelled for a extended period of time. Hideo Nomo had a pretty consistent career, Kazahiro Sasaki was untouchable until he got injured, then he bolted back to japan, Shigetoshi Hasegawa has had some success, and the guy who was just traded to Texas (okinori?) is supposed to be pretty nasty too.

 

I can understand the smoke and mirrors frustration because of Shingo, but I wouldnt venture to say they are all easy to figure out after they have been seen a few times.

I think there have been plenty of Japanese Imports who have excelled for a extended period of time.  Hideo Nomo had a pretty consistent career, Kazahiro Sasaki was untouchable until he got injured, then he bolted back to japan, Shigetoshi Hasegawa has had some success, and the guy who was just traded to Texas (okinori?) is supposed to be pretty nasty too. 

 

I can understand the smoke and mirrors frustration because of Shingo, but I wouldnt venture to say they are all easy to figure out after they have been seen a few times.

 

No prolonged success for any of those. I think it can be argued Nomo had the best run of the bunch, but, you have yet to see any longevity out of any of these Japanese imports.

 

I'm on to something. We're going huge with this idea. This is about to blow up.

No prolonged success for any of those.  I think it can be argued Nomo had the best run of the bunch, but, you have yet to see any longevity out of any of these Japanese imports.

 

I'm on to something.  We're going huge with this idea.  This is about to blow up.

 

So be it. Im on the bandwagon now, lol

I know he stunk it up as a starter, but the guy is tough to actually hit (gives up less than a hit an inning and has done that consistently at the major league level).  He has had a problem with walks, but what would everyone think about picking him up on the cheap and using him as the 2nd lefty in the pen as well as a potential long arm. 

 

Ishii supposedly has a pretty rubber arm, although I have no idea why he only appeared in 19 games last year (I'm guessing it must have been an injury, that or its because he stunk so much). 

 

He's just 31 and really doesnt' have bad stuff.  He gets a good # of k's, limits hits, but would have to improve control.  Could a move to the pen help that?

 

 

Pass