Iwamura deal sealed

Hawkeye4 · 12-15-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

The Devil Rays on Friday made their first - and perhaps only - significant addition of the off-season, completing their deal with Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura.

Iwamura is expected to get a three-year contract to be worth between $7.5- and $8-million. The Rays will also have a 2010 option on Iwamura, who will have the opportunity to be a free agent at the end of the deal.

Iwamura, 27, was a five-time All-Star in eight seasons with the Swallows, compiling a .300 average while hitting 188 homers and knocking in 570 runs. He had a sudden surge of power over the last three seasons, hitting 44 homers in 2004, 30 in 2005 and 32 last season, though he is not expected to hit for as much power against major-league pitching.

More Here!

We've finally got a golden-glove player. Might not be a MLB one, but at least it's some kind of one.:thumbsup

Put him on 3rd, move BJ for some pitching or move him to 2nd, with Cantu going to 1st or DH.

Dan · 12-15-2006, 05:35 PM

Good for the Devil Rays. Looks like a really good pickup.

Timmer · 12-15-2006, 06:15 PM

Where is he going to play?

John F · 12-15-2006, 10:32 PM

I'm with Hawkeye on moving (trading) Upton for pitching help. Everyone (Rays fans) I have heard in the past want him (BJ) moved to Centerfield. If you haven't been paying attention to the Rays this offseason, everyone has been able to see the Rays have a glut of talent in the outfield as is. Baldelli, Crawford, Young, Gomes, Dukes, etc... The easy way out of any fielding problem I have seen since 1990 has been "move the guy to the outfield!" and every time I've seen it -- I've seen it fail or just lead to nothing special.

Upton has more value as trade bait than as a player right now. The Rays are now stocked with Iwamura, Guzman and Evan Longoria at 3B (though the latter 2 are in the minor leagues -- Guzman is also a player not set on a position as he's been tried at 3rd, 1st, and in the OF), Ben Zorbist seems alright at SS... and Cantu is more capable at 2nd than Upton is at any infield position period...

Just my two cents. If Iwamura won a gold glove at third, keep him at the hot corner and move others...

12-15-2006, 05:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dan Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 256	Good for the Devil Rays. Looks like a really good pickup.

12-15-2006, 06:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Timmer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,727	Where is he going to play?

12-15-2006, 10:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	I'm with Hawkeye on moving (trading) Upton for pitching help. Everyone (Rays fans) I have heard in the past want him (BJ) moved to Centerfield. If you haven't been paying attention to the Rays this offseason, everyone has been able to see the Rays have a glut of talent in the outfield as is. Baldelli, Crawford, Young, Gomes, Dukes, etc... The easy way out of any fielding problem I have seen since 1990 has been "move the guy to the outfield!" and every time I've seen it -- I've seen it fail or just lead to nothing special. Upton has more value as trade bait than as a player right now. The Rays are now stocked with Iwamura, Guzman and Evan Longoria at 3B (though the latter 2 are in the minor leagues -- Guzman is also a player not set on a position as he's been tried at 3rd, 1st, and in the OF), Ben Zorbist seems alright at SS... and Cantu is more capable at 2nd than Upton is at any infield position period... Just my two cents. If Iwamura won a gold glove at third, keep him at the hot corner and move others...